Passengers
Research By Tristen and Stephani
Can you imagine running through the trees and marsh lands while hounds are sniffing you out, and bounty hunters are yelling while looking for you? That's what slaves experienced while running to freedom and a better life. In a time span of 65 years as many as 100,000 slaves escaped. A well known slave named Harriet Tubman saved as many as 300 slaves. She was known as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Although many slaves fled, about 500,000 slaves were still enslaved, and 30,000 died trying. There were many common escapes, and there were some extraordinary ones like Henry 'Box' Brown and Ellen and William Craft.
Can you imagine running through the trees and marsh lands while hounds are sniffing you out, and bounty hunters are yelling while looking for you? That's what slaves experienced while running to freedom and a better life. In a time span of 65 years as many as 100,000 slaves escaped. A well known slave named Harriet Tubman saved as many as 300 slaves. She was known as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. Although many slaves fled, about 500,000 slaves were still enslaved, and 30,000 died trying. There were many common escapes, and there were some extraordinary ones like Henry 'Box' Brown and Ellen and William Craft.
There were many ways that slaves escaped enslavement. Some ran to friends, hiding during the day and running at night. For example, Harriet Jacobs hid in her grandmother's crawl space for seven years. Slaves would go through anything just to get a taste of freedom. Slaves on the run had many tricks they would use to guide them, like following the north star. It did not matter what runaways had to go through to get to freedom, they would do anything.
There were many ways that slaves escaped enslavement. Some ran to friends, hiding during the day and running at night. For example, Harriet Jacobs hid in her grandmother's crawl space for seven years. Slaves would go through anything just to get a taste of freedom. Slaves on the run had many tricks they would use to guide them, like following the north star. It did not matter what runaways had to go through to get to freedom, they would do anything.
Some slaves used water to their advantage. They would walk in streams, rivers, or swamps so dogs would lose their scent and could not track them. As most slaves ran in the night and hid in the day time, they used moss on trees to go north. Slaves attempted risky escapes to get to freedom.
Some slaves used water to their advantage. They would walk in streams, rivers, or swamps so dogs would lose their scent and could not track them. As most slaves ran in the night and hid in the day time, they used moss on trees to go north. Slaves attempted risky escapes to get to freedom.
Henry "Box" Brown got his name after being mailed to freedom. Born enslaved in 1815, Henry grew up in the world of slavery. As a member of the First African Baptist Church, Henry was a man of faith. After his wife carrying their unborn child and their three young children were sold, Henry's faith gave him the inspiration and courage to create a plan of escape.
Henry "Box" Brown got his name after being mailed to freedom. Born enslaved in 1815, Henry grew up in the world of slavery. As a member of the First African Baptist Church, Henry was a man of faith. After his wife carrying their unborn child and their three young children were sold, Henry's faith gave him the inspiration and courage to create a plan of escape.
James Caesar Anthony Smith, both a friend of Henry and free slave, knew a white sympathizer, Samuel Alexander Smith. Samuel Smith decided to take a gamble and help Henry with his plan. Henry was going to be shipped in a three feet by two feet eight inch box. With "dry goods" stamped on it, Henry climbed into the box with only one bladder of water and a few biscuits.
James Caesar Anthony Smith, both a friend of Henry and free slave, knew a white sympathizer, Samuel Alexander Smith. Samuel Smith decided to take a gamble and help Henry with his plan. Henry was going to be shipped in a three feet by two feet eight inch box. With "dry goods" stamped on it, Henry climbed into the box with only one bladder of water and a few biscuits.
"...Resolved to conquer or die, I felt my eyes swelling as if they would burst from their sockets; and the veins on my temples were dreadfully distended with pressure of blood upon my head." - Henry Brown
"...Resolved to conquer or die, I felt my eyes swelling as if they would burst from their sockets; and the veins on my temples were dreadfully distended with pressure of blood upon my head." - Henry Brown
The date and location of Henry "Box" Brown's death is unknown. Although after escaping to freedom, he later traveled to England and embraced the English Show Business for the next 25 years.
The date and location of Henry "Box" Brown's death is unknown. Although after escaping to freedom, he later traveled to England and embraced the English Show Business for the next 25 years.
Ellen and William Craft may have made one of the most genius escapes. Both Ellen and William's families were ripped apart in their early lives. William's brother, sister, and parents were all sold to plantations in the deep south. Ellen, however, was the daughter of her master and a slave. Not only did they have different owners, but after getting married Ellen developed a fear of having children, dreading they would be taken away.
Ellen and William Craft may have made one of the most genius escapes. Both Ellen and William's families were ripped apart in their early lives. William's brother, sister, and parents were all sold to plantations in the deep south. Ellen, however, was the daughter of her master and a slave. Not only did they have different owners, but after getting married Ellen developed a fear of having children, dreading they would be taken away.
The two formed a crafty plan of escape. As it was unacceptable for a white women to travel with a male slave, Ellen needed to "become a man". With men's trousers, green spectacles, a top hat, and her hair cut, Ellen looked like a male slave owner. To limit the talking Ellen would have to do, William wrapped her face with a bandage. Since slaves never learned to read or write, Ellen put her right arm in a sling so she wouldn't have to sign anything. Ellen and William boarded a steamer for Charleston, South Carolina; then later, a steamer headed to Philadelphia.
The two formed a crafty plan of escape. As it was unacceptable for a white women to travel with a male slave, Ellen needed to "become a man". With men's trousers, green spectacles, a top hat, and her hair cut, Ellen looked like a male slave owner. To limit the talking Ellen would have to do, William wrapped her face with a bandage. Since slaves never learned to read or write, Ellen put her right arm in a sling so she wouldn't have to sign anything. Ellen and William boarded a steamer for Charleston, South Carolina; then later, a steamer headed to Philadelphia.
After arriving in Philadelphia on Christmas Day, Ellen and William later moved to Boston, making a life for themselves. Soon, bounty hunters came to Boston in search of Ellen and William. Knowing that if they were caught, they would be seperated and punished, Ellen and William fled to England. Eventually, the Crafts accomplished their dream and had five children. After twenty years, Ellen and William returned to America, and in the 1870's established a school for newly freed blacks. Ellen and William Craft's imaginative thinking broke their chains of slavery.
After arriving in Philadelphia on Christmas Day, Ellen and William later moved to Boston, making a life for themselves. Soon, bounty hunters came to Boston in search of Ellen and William. Knowing that if they were caught, they would be seperated and punished, Ellen and William fled to England. Eventually, the Crafts accomplished their dream and had five children. After twenty years, Ellen and William returned to America, and in the 1870's established a school for newly freed blacks. Ellen and William Craft's imaginative thinking broke their chains of slavery.
There were about 100,000 slaves who used the Underground Railroad as an escape to freedom. There were common methods of escape and there were also some that stood out. These were as unique as the people who thought of them; people like Henry 'Box' Brown and Ellen and William Craft. Passengers on the Underground Railroad risked their lives and had to be very innovative to accomplish their dreams.
There were about 100,000 slaves who used the Underground Railroad as an escape to freedom. There were common methods of escape and there were also some that stood out. These were as unique as the people who thought of them; people like Henry 'Box' Brown and Ellen and William Craft. Passengers on the Underground Railroad risked their lives and had to be very innovative to accomplish their dreams.