| #ffffff;" /> | | | | employ down and affect an escape, but the incident |
| Thomas Garrett is one of Delaware’s heroes, | | | | left an indelible impression. |
| and a shining example of the tradition of righteous | | | | He moved to Wilmington, Delaware in 1822, but his |
| dissent in America. | | | | personal convictions and deep commitment to his |
| The Underground Railroad’s last stop in the | | | | Quaker religious beliefs put him at odds with the |
| slave-holding state of Delaware was located on | | | | state’s pro-slavery stance. It was only a few |
| Shipley Street in Wilmington at the home of a Quaker | | | | years before Garrett once again resumed his efforts |
| merchant named Thomas Garrett. Over 2,700 | | | | to aid escaped slaves. For the next 40 years he did |
| runaway slaves were given safe harbor there before | | | | everything in his power to do so. |
| making their way to the free states of Pennsylvania | | | | In 1848 Garrett and fellow abolitionist John Hunn were |
| and New Jersey. | | | | convicted of aiding the Hawkins family in their escape |
| Garrett’s passionate commitment to the | | | | from slavery in Maryland. The sentence, a |
| abolition of slavery would cost him a great deal over | | | | bank-breaking fine that would leave both men virtually |
| the course of his life. Maryland authorities went so far | | | | penniless, was handed down in the New Castle, |
| as to offer $10,000.00 for his arrest. In 1848 federal | | | | Delaware courthouse by US Chief Justice Roger |
| court fines bankrupted him, forcing him accept the | | | | Taney. |
| charity of his abolitionist friends to stay in business. | | | | After the sentence was read and unrepentant Garrett |
| During the Civil War his life was in constant danger so | | | | gave an impassioned speech so moving that even a |
| that he had to be guarded by African-American | | | | slave-holding juror offered him his hand, “I say |
| volunteers. But throughout his trials, Garrett never | | | | to thee and to all in this court room, that if anyone |
| wavered from his principled stand again the evils of | | | | knows a fugitive who wants shelter” he said |
| slavery. | | | | “send him to Thomas Garrett and he will |
| Though Thomas Garret is today recognized as one of | | | | befriend him." |
| Delaware’s most honored citizens, he was in | | | | Garrett continued to fight against inequality even after |
| fact born in Upper Darby Pennsylvania in August of | | | | the end of the Civil War, acting as an advocate for the |
| 1789. Garrett’s parents instilled in him a respect | | | | rights of former slaves. When the 15th Amendment |
| for human freedom at an early age by hiding runaway | | | | was passed in 1870, giving African-Americans the right |
| slaves on the family farm. | | | | to vote, Garrett was paraded through the streets by |
| When Garrett was a young man a family servant | | | | his grateful supporters. Some went as far as to refer |
| was kidnapped and forced into slavery. Garrett | | | | to him as “out Moses”. |
| managed to track the family’s friend and | | | | |