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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

From Slavery to Freedom: Escaping to Freedom

The whaling port of New Bedford became a prime destination for fugitive slaves.


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“The idea suddenly flashed across my mind of shutting myself up in a box, and getting myself conveyed as dry goods to a free state.”

- Henry “Box” Brown

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Box Brown
One of the most celebrated escapes from slavery occurred in 1849. Settling in to a small box marked “This side up,” Henry “Box” Brown took a perilous trip by railroad and ferry. At one point the box was upside down for twenty miles on a ferry as passengers sat on top. Eventually arriving in New Bedford, his story became a sensation.

An illustration entitled: Resurrection of Henry Box Brown

Resurrection of Henry Box Brown . . .

Two sides of a petition called the "fugitive slave act".

Petition, against the Fugitive Slave Act . . .

Harriett Jacobs
 Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, published in 1861, detailed her life in North Carolina and unwanted attention from her de facto owner Dr. James Norcom. She first attempted to escape by stowing away on a sailing ship. Fearing discovery, she disembarked before departure and spent seven years hiding in an attic. Eventually she did escape by sea and settled in New Bedford. Some thought, incorrectly, that her book was authored by a white novelist.

Harriett Jacobs, Jean Fagan Yellin
Harriett Jacobs
- Jean Fagan Yellin

An antique painting of men in a small boat attacking a sperm whale. Larger ships can be seen in the background.
For a time, fugitive slave John S. Jacobs stayed at the home of William Rotch Rodman. Jacobs signed on for a long whaling voyage to frustrate “slave catchers.”
- Perry Hicks, LL

No Longer Yours
John S. Jacobs was Harriett Jacobs’ brother. His fourth owner was a congressman from North Carolina. Traveling with him in New York, Jacobs feigned loyalty. When the opportunity came, Jacobs left a note for his master, with the salutation “No longer yours.”