Read Part One HERE
In this post I continue to focus on a woman named Jane Johnson. She lived from 1814 - 1872. Jane emancipated herself and her children by walking away from her former "master," John Hill Wheeler, into the free city of Phildelphia, Pennsylvania. On 18 July, 1855, Jane passed a word to a black porter in Bloodgood's Hotel, where Wheeler had locked her in with her children, that she wanted to escape her master's custody. He got word to William Still, chairman of the Vigilance Committee of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society, who helped fugitive slaves. Later that day, as the full Wheeler party prepared to board the ferry, Still and abolitionist Passmore Williamsons, secretary of the Society reached the docks. Still told Jane that she could choose freedom according to Pennsylvania law. While Wheeler argued, offered her a promise of freedom, and tried to prevent Jane from leaving, five black dockworkers restrained him, and Williamson explained the state law to him.William Still quickly escorted Jane and her children away by a coach, later taking them secretely to his house.
Jane and her children were soon helped to get to Boston, where they were safeguarded by northern abolistionists, including Lecretia Mott. They continued to live free, settling in Boston. She sheltered fugitive slaves in Boston on at least two occasions.
Jane died in 1872.
Read Part One Hundred And Twenty Nine HERE
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