On The Shoulders of Giants
  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Trustees
    • Joseph Ward - OTSOG Author
  • Non-Profit Programs
  • World Giants
    • Giants of Africa
    • Giants of Asia
    • Giants of North America
    • Giants of Europe
    • Giants of Oceania (Australia)
    • Giants of South America
  • Contact
  • Store
  • On the Shoulders of Giants Volume 4 The Caribbean

7/17/2023

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

0 Comments

Read Now
 
Picture

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 


Share

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

Details

    Archives

    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Africa
    Asia
    Europe
    North America
    Oceania (Australia)
    South America

    RSS Feed

    Click Here to join our mailing list

Contact Us:

Phone:
850-363-1516

Email: mail@ontheshoulders.org

Mailing Address:
​P.O. Box 5442 
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Connect With Us


Picture
Buy Now
Picture
Buy Now
Picture
Buy Now
Picture
Available Now!!!
Site powered by PIT Web Design
  • Home
  • About
    • Board of Trustees
    • Joseph Ward - OTSOG Author
  • Non-Profit Programs
  • World Giants
    • Giants of Africa
    • Giants of Asia
    • Giants of North America
    • Giants of Europe
    • Giants of Oceania (Australia)
    • Giants of South America
  • Contact
  • Store
  • On the Shoulders of Giants Volume 4 The Caribbean