State Historical Society of Iowa

"The 'Running of Slaves' - The Extraordinary Escape of Henry Box Brown" Article, June 23, 1849 (Document)

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Courtesy of Library of Congress, The 'Running of Slaves' - The Extraordinary Escape of Henry Box Brown," The Sunbury America, Vol. 9, No. 12, 23 June 1849

Description

The article from The Sunbury American newspaper in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania focused on the escape by Henry "Box" Brown in 1849. Brown shipped himself in a wooden crate from Richmond, Virginia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a group of abolitionists who assisted in his journey for independence.

Transcript of "Running of Slaves..." Article

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Source Dependent Questions

  • Why did Henry "Box" Brown write "right side up with care" on the side of the box?
  • Describe the escape of Henry "Box" Brown and the moments when it appeared that the plan was not going to work.
  • Compare the story of Henry "Box" Brown with the "William and Ellen Craft," The Anti-Slavery Bugle, February 23, 1849. How do these stories reflect the lengths to which people would go to escape enslavement? How would you describe their plans of escape?

Citation Information

"The 'Running of Slaves' - The Extraordinary Escape of Henry Box Brown," The Sunbury American, Vol. 9, No. 12, 23 June 1849. Courtesy of Library of Congress Courtesy of Library of Congress

State Historical Society of Iowa

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