William And Ellen Craft Running A Thousand Miles For Freedom
The Story Of William And Ellen Craft
William and Ellen Craft were two slaves who escaped from their masters in Georgia, and made their way to freedom in the North. Their escape is one of the most remarkable in American history, as they traveled over a thousand miles, from Macon, Georgia, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by train, steamboat, and on foot.
William and Ellen were married, and had a daughter, who was also a slave. William was a skilled carpenter, and Ellen was a house servant. They lived on a plantation owned by a man named John Collins, who was known for his cruelty to his slaves.
The Plan Of Escape
William and Ellen knew that if they tried to escape together, they would be caught. So they came up with a plan. Ellen would disguise herself as a white man, and William would pose as her slave. They would then travel together, with Ellen pretending to be William's owner.
To make the disguise convincing, Ellen cut her hair short, and wore men's clothing. She also bandaged her right hand, to hide the fact that she couldn't write. William dressed in old clothes, and wore a hat that covered most of his face.
The Journey Begins
On December 21, 1848, William and Ellen left Macon, Georgia, on a train bound for Savannah. Ellen acted as William's master, and told the conductor that they were traveling to Savannah to visit a doctor. The conductor didn't suspect anything, and the couple arrived in Savannah without incident.
From Savannah, William and Ellen traveled to Charleston, South Carolina, by steamboat. They then took another train to Wilmington, North Carolina, and from there, they boarded a steamship to Norfolk, Virginia.
The Final Leg Of The Journey
From Norfolk, William and Ellen traveled by train to Baltimore, Maryland, and then on to Philadelphia. The journey took several weeks, and the couple faced many dangers along the way. They were almost caught several times, and had to improvise to avoid detection.
When they finally arrived in Philadelphia, William and Ellen were greeted by abolitionists who helped them settle into their new lives as free people. They went on to become well-known figures in the anti-slavery movement, and even wrote a book about their escape, called "Running a Thousand Miles for Freedom."
The Legacy Of William And Ellen Craft
William and Ellen Craft's escape is a testament to the bravery and ingenuity of enslaved people who risked everything to gain their freedom. Their story inspired many others to escape slavery, and helped to fuel the abolitionist movement that ultimately led to the end of slavery in the United States.
Today, William and Ellen Craft are remembered as heroes, who overcame incredible odds to secure their freedom. Their legacy lives on, and their story continues to inspire people around the world to fight for justice and equality.
