They Escaped Slavery Using An Ingenious Plan | The Story of William & Ellen Craft

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The daring escape of William and Ellen Craft from slavery is a remarkable and inspiring story of resilience and ingenuity. William and Ellen Craft were both born into slavery in the United States in the early 19th century. They lived in Macon, Georgia, where they experienced the harsh realities and oppression of slavery.

Ellen, who was of mixed-race heritage was light-skinned enough to pass as a white person. She was often mistaken for one of her slave master’s legitimate children. William and Ellen devised a daring plan to escape slavery by taking advantage of Ellen’s physical appearance and the stark racial disparities of the time.

In December 1848, the couple set their plan in motion. Ellen disguised herself as a young white man by cutting her hair short and dressing in men's clothing. She wrapped a bandage around her face, claiming she had a recent accident, to avoid suspicion. William acted as her personal servant, posing as a slave accompanying his master.

Disguised as a wealthy white man traveling with his slave, Williams and Ellen boarded a train in Macon and traveled to Savannah, Georgia. This leg of their journey was fraught with danger, as they had to navigate through checkpoints and interact with fellow travelers they knew very well without revealing their true identities. Their courage and quick thinking were crucial in maintaining their disguise and avoiding suspicion.

Upon reaching Savannah, the Crafts boarded a steamship bound for Charleston, South Carolina, where a fellow slave trader offered to buy William from Ellen. After reaching South Carolina, the couple was attempting to buy a ticket to sail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Between buying their tickets and boarding the ship to Philadelphia, the couple was held up by a ticket seller who didn’t want to sign Ellen and William’s names on their tickets. A part of Ellen’s disguise was to pretend her hand was injured. Fortunately, the couple was spotted by the genial captain who vouched for them, so they could board the ship. They chose Philadelphia because it was a prominent center of abolitionist activity and offered a relatively safer haven for fugitive slaves. The journey on the ship tested their nerves, as they had to interact with fellow passengers and avoid arousing suspicion. 

After a treacherous journey, the Crafts finally arrived in Philadelphia on Christmas Day in 1848. Their escape from slavery garnered widespread attention and admiration from the abolitionist community. William and Ellen settled in Philadelphia, where they became active members of the abolitionist movement, speaking at rallies and sharing their stories to raise awareness about the horrors of slavery.

The Crafts' daring escape drew attention to the complexities and contradictions of racial identity and challenged the institution of slavery. Their story became an important narrative in the abolitionist movement and served as a testament to the lengths individuals would go to secure their freedom. The Fugitive slave act was passed in 1850, because of William and Ellen’s popularity, they were targeted by anti-abolitionists to be captured and returned to slavery. Due to the passing of the act, the Crafts packed their bags and moved to London, England where they lived for 19 years. 

In 1860, the Crafts published a book titled "Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom," recounting their escape and experiences as slaves. The book became a bestseller and helped to further raise awareness about the horrors of slavery and the need for its abolition. 

The escape of William and Ellen Craft serves as a powerful reminder that our ancestors never stopped fighting for their freedom. William and Ellen Craft, we proudly stand on your shoulders. 


References:

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/craft-william-and-ellen-1824-1900-1826-1891/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-great-escape-from-slavery-of-ellen-and-william-craft-497960/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_and_William_Craft

https://www.amazon.com/Running-Thousand-Miles-Freedom-Editions/dp/0486793486/ref=asc_df_0486793486/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312021238077&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17313727770778114229&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1015213&hvtargid=pla-517955916164&psc=1 

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