Thomas
Garrett,
the son of a farmer, was born on 21st August, 1789, in Delaware County.
He became involved in the iron trade and after marrying settled in
Wilmington, Delaware. A Quaker, was strongly
opposed to slavery and joined the Pennsylvania
Abolition Society.
Delaware was a slave state and adjacent to Pennsylvania and New Jersey
on one side and Maryland on the other, was a particular target for
runaway slaves. Garrett turned his home
in Wilmington into the last station on the Underground
Railroad before the slaves reached freedom in Pennsylvania. It
has been estimated that Garrett helped more than 2,000 runaway slaves
escape from the Southern states. The Maryland authorities were so
angry with Garrett that they set a reward of $10,000 for his arrest.
In 1848 Garrett was brought before a Federal court. Garrett admitted
he had aided fugitive slaves and would
continue to do so. This resulted in a heavy fine that forced him into
bankruptcy. However, with the help of his anti-slavery
friends, Garrett was able to re-establish his business.
During the Civil War Garrett was vulnerable
to pro-slavery elements in Delaware and his home had to be protected
by African American volunteers.
After the passing of the 15th Amendment which gave the vote to African
Americans, Garrett was drawn through the streets of Wilmington by
former slaves in an open carriage inscribed with the words "Our
Moses".
Thomas Garrett died on 25th January, 1871. He left instructions that
he was to be carried to his grave by African Americans and that they
should participate in the Quaker service.
(1)
Thomas
Garrett, wrote a letter to Sarah Bradford about the activities of
Harriet Tubman on the Underground
Railroad (June, 1866)
The
date of the commencement of her labors, I cannot certainly give; but
I think it must have been about 1845; from that time till 1860, I
think she must have brought from the neighborhood where she had been
held as a slave. from 60 to 80 persons, from Maryland, some 80 miles
from here.
No slave who placed himself under her care, was ever arrested that
I have heard of; she mostly had her regular stopping places on her
route; but in one instance, when she had several stout men with her,
some 30 miles below here, she said that God told her to stop, which
she did; and then asked him what she must do. He told her to leave
the road, and turn to the left; she obeyed, and soon came to a small
stream of tide water; there was no boat, no bridge; she again inquired
of her Guide what she was to do. She was told to go through. It was
cold, in the month of March; but having confidence in her Guide, she
went in; the water came up to her armpits; the men refused to follow
till they saw her safe on the opposite shore. They then followed,
and, if I mistake not, she had soon to wade a second stream; soon
after which she came to a cabin of colored people, who took them all
in, put them to bed, and dried their clothes, ready to proceed next
night on their journey. Harriet had run out of money, and gave them
some of her underclothing to pay for their kindness.
When she called on me two days after, she was so hoarse she could
hardly speak, and was also suffering with violent toothache. The strange
part of the story we found to be, that the masters of these men had
put up the previous day, at the railroad station near where she left,
an advertisement for them, offering a large reward for their apprehension;
but they made a safe exit. She at one time brought as many as seven
or eight, several of whom were women and children. She was well known
here in Chester County and Philadelphia, and respected by all true
abolitionists.
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