Westerville Historical Society

Westerville Historical Society manages Hanby House Historic Site which is owned by the Ohio History Connection. The 1846 house was the home of Bishop William and Ann (Miller) Hanby's family. Bishop Hanby was a founder of Otterbein University. The house was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Benjamin Hanby, the oldest son, became a composer. His anti-slavery song "Darling Nelly Gray" was called the "Uncle Tom's Cabin" of song and inspired anti-slavery sentiment. Benjamin also wrote the Christmas classic "Up on the Housetop" in 1864.