From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

In 1841, the Russell family was purchased by philanthropist and abolitionist Gerrit Smith (1797-1874) and given their freedom. Samuel Russell died in 1857 and Harriett in 1886; both were born in Maryland. As a child, Harriet was nursemaid to Ann Carroll Fitzhugh, who lived in New York (Fitzhugh would later become the wife of Gerrit Smith). Prior to being reunited with Fitzhugh, Harriet was a slave in Kentucky, as was Samuel and the five children they had while in Kentucky. Their sixth child was born free in Peterboro, New York. The children's names were Mary, Emily, William, Richard, Malvina, and Gerrit Smith Russell.

For more see The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), 25 February 2003, "Heaven and Peterboro" on p.F1, and "A Magnet for Freedom" on p.F2.