The subject of the 2013 Academy Award winning Best Picture is the kidnapping of Solomon Northup (also spelled Northrup and Northrop by some family members). Northup had been born a “free man of color” in upstate New York. He was a well educated, talented violinist who was abducted in 1841, transported to Louisiana and sold into slavery. The film is based on his 1853 autobiographical book titled Twelve Years A Slave. In January 1853 friends in Saratoga, New York received intelligence regarding Solomon’s whereabouts and, with the help of New York Governor Washington Hunt, arranged for his freedom. The story of his ordeal and survival fascinated readers at the time as well as preserving a firsthand account of the slaveholder practices in that era of America’s history.
In the film we see Solomon Northup’s son, Alonzo, at the beginning as a child and again as an adult at the end of the film. Alonzo settled in Weedsport where he and his wife, Victoria, raised eight children including a son, John Henry, who became known as “Zip.”
The subject of another 2013 film titled 42 is Jackie Robinson’s 1947 signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team, breaking the “color barrier” on the otherwise all White team. From the inception of a national baseball league in 1867, there were occasionally mixed race teams, mostly in the Minor League. But, by the turn of the century this was no longer true. Thus began the twentieth century color barrier that was broken by Branch Rickey’s decision to sign Robinson to the Dodgers.
During this era the popularity of “Negro League” games steadily grew. These teams were composed of African-American players and some Latin-American players. The first recorded team was formed in 1885 and was known as the Cuban Giants. Their 1902 roster included a young player from Weedsport named Zip Northrup, grandson of Solomon Northup.
This photo of Fair Haven’s team is dated 1904 and includes twenty-two year old Zip Northrup (forty years before Robinson joined the Dodgers). In October of that year Zip rejoined the Cuban Giants. Over the years, Zip also played on other mixed race teams in Weedsport and Auburn. In 1905 he was married in Cato to Agnes May Parker. Alice Turner was one of the bridesmaids.
Zip spent his life in northern Cayuga County. The surname Northrup shows up in records for Sterling, but it is not known if Zip ever lived in Fair Haven or Sterling. Fair Haven’s team continued to play in the New York State League.
This photo, taken on the Fourth of July, 1940 shows Zip as their manager and coach. He brought his youngest son, Donald, known as “Shorty,” with him for this game. The men in suites are umpires and league officials.
On July 11, 1944 at the age of 62 John Henry “Zip” Northrup passed away at Auburn City Hospital, three years before Robinson stepped on the field in Brooklyn. He is buried at Pine Hill Cemetery in Throop. Upon his death New York State Assemblymember Ernest Treat penned a tribute to Zip that included these words:
“Northup just naturally had everything – speed, a true eye, baseball spirit, an indomitable will to win, and a fine arm. He developed into a pitcher of unusual ability… His reputation constantly mounted and the Cuban Giants, the finest colored baseball team of all time, engaged him as a pitcher. In that capacity he starred throughout the entire country and almost every baseball enthusiast knew of him and admired his work… His enthusiasm and his baseball experience were great assets… He and Barney McManus were the best coaches I have ever seen anywhere and I have through the years seen nearly all the great teams and the great players.”
The young boy in the 07/04/1940 team picture is Donald “Shorty” Northrup the youngest son of Zip and his second wife, Eĺsie Mae Zirbel Northrup. John Henry is my grandfather; Don Northrup is my Uncle. My father, John Calvin Northrup, is Don’s older brother. Thank you.