Believe it or Not
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (189880)
Boise, Idaho
January 2, 2024 11:41am CST
In 1849 a Virginia slave named Henry "Box" Brown arranged to have himself shipped in a wooden box to an abolitionist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where slavery had been abolished. To get out of work the day of his escape he had burned his hand to the bone with sulfuric acid. The box was labeled as "dry goods" and went north by steamboat and then by rail. He spent 27 hours in the box with only one air hole at the top. The dimensions of the box were 3 by 2.67 by 2 feet. It was lined with a coarse woolen cloth and he carried a few biscuits and some water with him. Brown later wrote of this uncertain method of travel "If you have never been deprived of your liberty, as I was, you cannot realize the power of that hope of freedom, which was to me indeed, an anchor to the soul both sure and steadfast."
Have you heard this story? Does it show you the desperation of slaves to become free?
8 people like this
6 responses
@ptrikha_2 (49753)
• India
2 Jan 24
Remarkable and emotional story!
Without freedom, one can often be driven to such desperation.
2 people like this
@popciclecold (40214)
• United States
2 Jan 24
No, I've never heard it. But it sounds about right.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
3 Jan 24
No I haven't and truth be told..I sure would not burn my hand to the bone with anything.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jan 24
If I were desperate I might do a lot of things I wouldn't do other wise.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jan 24
@RebeccasFarm ........I would think we all would.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222528)
• United States
3 Jan 24
I've never heard of this story. Brown was brave and committed to be free.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (189880)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Jan 24
He sure was. And he lived to tell the tale.
1 person likes this
