Uncrowned Community Builders

Maria Cook Molson was born on January 30, 1825 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Cook. Her siblings included Catharine, James, Margaret, Jane Eleanor, Samuel and Robert Cook. Mary had three husbands, William Coffey, Hiram Graham and David W. Molson. She had three children, George R. Coffey, Elizabeth Catharine Coffey Molson and Melissa Graham Minor.

Maria was a station master on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War and is listed in Whoââ?¬â?¢s Who in Pennsylvania, Underground Railroad. She owned several properties in her own name. An interesting piece is printed in the ââ?¬Å?Underground Railroad History in Lock Havenââ?¬ about Maria:

ââ?¬Å?Clinton County contains more fascinating history than most people know. For instance, Civil War enthusiasts will be interested in the story of Lock Havenââ?¬â?¢s connection to the Underground Railroad. Maria Molson lived at 19 East Water Street, Lock Haven. During the Civil War, she operated a station on the Underground Railroad at this address, allowing the slaves to stay in her house before their next stop in Renovo. From there, they went to Olean, New York. Clinton County was on the Jefferson Route of the Underground Railroad, which brought slaves through Mount Union, Huntington and Bellefonte.

Maria was married three times, to William Coffey, Hiram Graham and David Molson. Mariaââ?¬â?¢s first husband, William Coffey, died in 1865. He was buried in Great Island Cemetery, which was on Bellefonte Avenue. When the cemetery was moved in 1911, his body was never found. David Molson is in a soldierââ?¬â?¢s grave in Dunnstown Cemetery. Her third husband, David Molson, fought in the civil War. He mustered in on September 9, 1861, at Pottsville, with Company b., 48th Infantry. David died on January 19, 1864.

Maria died on November 14, 1890, at the home of her nephew, Edward B. Molson. She was 66 years old. Maria is buried in Highland Cemetery in Section Two. Her grave is in the same areas as prominent citizens L.A. Mackey, Jeanne Mann Heisey and John Reaville. Her will left her properties to her daughter, Elizabeth Molson. Elizabeth sold the same property to Sue Rittman of Philadelphia in 1913. Mariaââ?¬â?¢s property has recently been added to a SEDA-COG driving tour of Underground Railroad locations.ââ?¬

The following obituaries were written at the time of her death.

Colored Lady Dead.

Mrs. Maria Molson died last night at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Edward Molson, on Water Street, from the effects of a tumor. She was aged 66 years and nine months and had been a resident of this city for over forty-five years. She has left two daughters, the one just mentioned, and Mrs. Charles Minor of Baltimore. Funeral on Monday at 2 o'clock. Services at the house by Rev. E. F. Brown and interment in Highland cemetery.

[The Daily Democrat, Lock Haven, Pa., 15 Nov 1890]

Death of Mrs. Maria Molson

Mrs. Maria Molson, an aged and much respected colored lady died Friday night 7:30 o'clock at the residence of her son-in-law Mr. E. B. Molson, on Water Street, after an illness of two years. Her funeral took place on Monday; services being held at the house at 2 o'clock and interment in Highland cemetery. Mrs. Molson was aged 66 years and 9 months. She had been a resident of this city for 45 years, and in the days before the war of the rebellion her house was a refuge for runaway slaves who were fleeing to Canada to escape from bondage. As many as seventeen runaway slaves have been concealed in her house at one time, and she has often related how she dressed the wounded backs of the refugees who were suffering from whippings received only a few days before they made their escape from their cruel masters.

[The Clinton Republican, November 1890]