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Citizen Stories: Visualizing the Ancestors
Here we bring to life and visualize the people of The 1838 Black Metropolis so that we can know our ancestors fully and appreciate the foundations they built for us. If you enjoy them, check out our Instagram page for more!
Lear Green Escapes
“She declared that she had no fear.” 🖤
Today, we celebrate Lear Green’s self-emancipation ✨
At about 18 years old, she courageously took flight from her enslaver Baltimore by shipping herself in a large chest—addressed to her mother’s friends.
After stowing away for 18 hours on a steamboat, she arrived to Philadelphia’s Black Metropolis! Once delivered, she stayed with William Still under the protection of his Vigilance Committee.
“her photograph taken, while in the chest, is an excellent likeness of her and, at the same time, a fitting memorial.”
-Quotes by abolitionist, William Still in ‘The Underground Railroad’
Today, we celebrate Lear Green’s self-emancipation ✨
At about 18 years old, she courageously took flight from her enslaver Baltimore by shipping herself in a large chest—addressed to her mother’s friends.
After stowing away for 18 hours on a steamboat, she arrived to Philadelphia’s Black Metropolis! Once delivered, she stayed with William Still under the protection of his Vigilance Committee.
“her photograph taken, while in the chest, is an excellent likeness of her and, at the same time, a fitting memorial.”
-Quotes by abolitionist, William Still in ‘The Underground Railroad’
John Scott
October 3, 2023
Today, 🕰️ 170 years ago, 22 year old John Scott and James Breeck arrived to freedom in Philadelphia.
According to William Still’s Journal C
“John Scott, alias Levi Duncans, age 22 years from Haverford county, Maryland left last June. Duly examined & directed to J.R.G.”
According to William Still’s Journal C
“John Scott, alias Levi Duncans, age 22 years from Haverford county, Maryland left last June. Duly examined & directed to J.R.G.”
Meet Mrs. Phillis Gault 🫶🏾December 9, 2023
She arrived with TWENTY others in one night 😱❤️
“Phillis came from Norfolk in Company with TWENTY
others, arriving in this City about the 21st.
She is about 30; well made; quite intelligence; good looking, & a good Seamstress.
She escaped to save herself from being sold. She was depressed as her late husband died of fever, which is especially sad as he had encouraged her to believe that he would buy her soon. She had been married about 11 years. They had one child who passed away.
She once was an accomplished dressmaker in Norfolk who nevertheless lived in fear of being sold—She ready to flee when her husband died.
Aided by Captain Fountain, this ―industrious, upright, and intelligent woman escaped to Philadelphia, where the Vigilance Committee helped her re-locate to Boston.
By early 1858, she was well-settled there and lived on Beacon Hill.”
- William Still, Underground Rail Road
Image imagined from the Archives ✨
“Phillis came from Norfolk in Company with TWENTY
others, arriving in this City about the 21st.
She is about 30; well made; quite intelligence; good looking, & a good Seamstress.
She escaped to save herself from being sold. She was depressed as her late husband died of fever, which is especially sad as he had encouraged her to believe that he would buy her soon. She had been married about 11 years. They had one child who passed away.
She once was an accomplished dressmaker in Norfolk who nevertheless lived in fear of being sold—She ready to flee when her husband died.
Aided by Captain Fountain, this ―industrious, upright, and intelligent woman escaped to Philadelphia, where the Vigilance Committee helped her re-locate to Boston.
By early 1858, she was well-settled there and lived on Beacon Hill.”
- William Still, Underground Rail Road
Image imagined from the Archives ✨
Prince Saunders
Introducing Prince Saunders, the international diplomat. Doesn't he look amazing? 🤩
⠀
He received his education at Dartmouth and started a school in Boston in 1816. ⠀
And later began to encourage the controversial African and Haitian Colonization. ⠀
⠀
Sanders visited London and Haiti together to meet with abolition and colonization officials. He became an aid to Emperor Henri Christophe in Haiti in the late 1810s. In Haiti, he founded schools and introduced vaccinations, inoculating Emperor Christophe himself.⠀
⠀
His first move to Philly was in 1817, where he was a 'lay reader' at St. Thomas Episcopal under Absalom Jones.⠀
⠀
He received his education at Dartmouth and started a school in Boston in 1816. ⠀
And later began to encourage the controversial African and Haitian Colonization. ⠀
⠀
Sanders visited London and Haiti together to meet with abolition and colonization officials. He became an aid to Emperor Henri Christophe in Haiti in the late 1810s. In Haiti, he founded schools and introduced vaccinations, inoculating Emperor Christophe himself.⠀
⠀
His first move to Philly was in 1817, where he was a 'lay reader' at St. Thomas Episcopal under Absalom Jones.⠀
Robert White
September 25, 2023
Almost 170 years ago today, 🕰️Charles King & Robert White arrived from Norfolk Virginia ✨
According to William Still:
“Robert [was] 35 yrs of age quite dark, rather stout, and intelligent…. Left only one sister.”
According to William Still:
“Robert [was] 35 yrs of age quite dark, rather stout, and intelligent…. Left only one sister.”
William Govan
September 27, 2023
Arriving today in 1855, William Govan and 10 OTHERS?!?! 🤯
According to William Still in ‘Journal C’:
“William Govan arrived from Petersburg …[he] is about 33 years of age, bright orange color. Left purely because he naturally desired his freedom….”
✊🏾
“Ten arrived and were care for during the two last weeks in Sept. while one of the corner was on a visit to Canada.”🇨🇦
According to William Still in ‘Journal C’:
“William Govan arrived from Petersburg …[he] is about 33 years of age, bright orange color. Left purely because he naturally desired his freedom….”
✊🏾
“Ten arrived and were care for during the two last weeks in Sept. while one of the corner was on a visit to Canada.”🇨🇦
C.P.'s Mug Shot
eet C.P. 🖤💐
This is her mugshot which states:
“In her head destructiveness is enormously developed, with large secretiveness and caution, and very defective benevolence and moral organs generally”
🤔The writer of her notes clearly spoke from a biased place. Describing her as a “half-breed” (Black & Indigenous - likely from an Eastern Woodland nation) with “uncontrollable fury”.
She is called “offensive” “aggressive”.
🤔Yet, we ask you, for charges of petty theft…what did she steal? And why did she feel obligated to carry a knife?
Yes, she could be in the wrong—or was she simply trying to survive? Think within a kind & empathetic place.
We hold space for her today 🖤
From the Library Company's Archives
This is her mugshot which states:
“In her head destructiveness is enormously developed, with large secretiveness and caution, and very defective benevolence and moral organs generally”
🤔The writer of her notes clearly spoke from a biased place. Describing her as a “half-breed” (Black & Indigenous - likely from an Eastern Woodland nation) with “uncontrollable fury”.
She is called “offensive” “aggressive”.
🤔Yet, we ask you, for charges of petty theft…what did she steal? And why did she feel obligated to carry a knife?
Yes, she could be in the wrong—or was she simply trying to survive? Think within a kind & empathetic place.
We hold space for her today 🖤
From the Library Company's Archives
William James Williams
December 5, 2023
Today, in 1854, William James Williams from Bel Air, Harford County Maryland, arrived to freedom in Philadelphia. (old name, George. Washington)
James is 19 years of age, chestnut color, and left because his owner talked of selling him. Had been treated as well as could be expected, except the threat of sale.
-William Still, Journal C
We took a bit of a pause because frankly, September October, November, December, and January were some of the busiest times for self-emancipation! It was somewhat overwhelming 😂
We can only imagine how the Philadelphia community would prepare to support freedom-seekers over the holiday season.
Until next time, happy anniversary to William 🥰✨
James is 19 years of age, chestnut color, and left because his owner talked of selling him. Had been treated as well as could be expected, except the threat of sale.
-William Still, Journal C
We took a bit of a pause because frankly, September October, November, December, and January were some of the busiest times for self-emancipation! It was somewhat overwhelming 😂
We can only imagine how the Philadelphia community would prepare to support freedom-seekers over the holiday season.
Until next time, happy anniversary to William 🥰✨
James Breeck
October 3, 2023
Today, 🕰️ 170 years ago, 22 year old John Scott and James Breeck arrived to freedom in Philadelphia.
According to William Still’s Journal C
(which lives with our friends at @historicalpa):
“John Scott, alias Levi Duncans, age 22 years from Haverford county, Maryland left last June. Duly examined & directed to J.R.G.”
According to William Still’s Journal C
(which lives with our friends at @historicalpa):
“John Scott, alias Levi Duncans, age 22 years from Haverford county, Maryland left last June. Duly examined & directed to J.R.G.”
William Govan arrived with 10 Others in 1855
September 27, 2023
Arriving today in 1855, William Govan and 10 OTHERS?!?! 🤯
According to William Still in ‘Journal C’:
“William Govan arrived from Petersburg …[he] is about 33 years of age, bright orange color. Left purely because he naturally desired his freedom….”
✊🏾
“Ten arrived and were care for during the two last weeks in Sept. while one of the corner was on a visit to Canada.”🇨🇦
According to William Still in ‘Journal C’:
“William Govan arrived from Petersburg …[he] is about 33 years of age, bright orange color. Left purely because he naturally desired his freedom….”
✊🏾
“Ten arrived and were care for during the two last weeks in Sept. while one of the corner was on a visit to Canada.”🇨🇦
Charles King
September 25, 2023
Almost 170 years ago today, 🕰️Charles King & Robert White arrived from Norfolk Virginia ✨
According to William Still:
“[Charles was] 23 yrs. of age, dark medium size, smart & intelligent, and a ship Carpenter by trade…. He paid $19. to the man who aided him.
He left his mother…sisters…brothers…and wife”
According to William Still:
“[Charles was] 23 yrs. of age, dark medium size, smart & intelligent, and a ship Carpenter by trade…. He paid $19. to the man who aided him.
He left his mother…sisters…brothers…and wife”
Marvin D. Mitchell who says his occupation was 'intelligence officer.'
So mysterious!
So mysterious!
Barry Bix and Mingo Rix
Rix was a porter who went to Bethel. He lived on Lombard.
Bix was also a porter who went to Bethel. He lived on Currant Alley.
This is what we think they looked like.
Bix was also a porter who went to Bethel. He lived on Currant Alley.
This is what we think they looked like.
Daniel Rhodes and his wife - Toy Makers
We found the Toy Makers!🧸 Daniel Rhodes and his wife. They lived on 7th and Bainbridge.
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