Uri Gilbert

Uri Gilbert (July 10, 1809–June 17, 1888) was an American carriage maker from Troy, New York, making both passenger and freight cars.

He employed Charles Nalle as a coachman and when he was arrested due to the Fugitive Slave Law, he helped free him.

Uri Gilbert was born on July 10, 1809[2] in Northumberland, Saratoga County, New York.

Their street cars made to be drawn by horses were built for Boston, New York and other large cities.

[3] The plant was moved to Green Island, New York, near Troy, in 1853 due to a fire in 1852.

Bush and Gilbert had the car works rebuilt and outfitted with modern technology.

Troy & Schenectady Railroad hired them to build the first eight-wheel passenger car.

Gilbert and his wife, who were members of St. John's Episcopal Church, donated a carved chancel chair in his memory.

[4] Gilbert died of heart failure on June 17, 1888, in Saratoga, New York, where he and his family rented a house for the summer.

[12] Charles Nalle escaped from slavery in the South in October 1858 and came to Troy with the help of the Underground Railroad.

He told someone of his escape and his story was ultimately shared with his former enslaver in Culpeper, Virginia.

In 1860, Harriet Tubman and others rescued him, and Gilbert helped pay for his freedom.