Quaker Hill in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Thomas Garrett

Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2023

1. Thomas Garrett Marker

Inscription. Born August 21, 1789, in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, Garrett came to Wilmington in 1822. A prominent merchant, his home and business were located nearby on Shipley Street. Garrett was committed to the anti-slavery efforts of his Quaker faith. He is credited with assisting more than 2,700 of “God’s Poor” to escape slavery through the secret network known as the Underground Railroad. Though he was convicted and fined by the U.S. District Court in 1848 for aiding runaway slaves, he refused to abandon the fight to abolish slavery. After his death on January 25, 1871, Black Wilmingtonians carried him to the Quaker Cemetery at 4th and West Streets in appreciation of his unwavering commitment to the emancipation of slaves.

Erected 1993 by Delaware State Archives. (Marker Number NC-88.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Quakerism series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1822.

Location. 39° 44.436′ N, 75° 33.124′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Quaker Hill. Marker is at the intersection of

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

West 4th Street (Route 9) and Shipley Street, on the right when traveling east on West 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 333 N Shipley St, Wilmington DE 19801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Farmers Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lincoln's Speech (about 300 feet away); "Sign of the Ship" Tavern (about 400 feet away); Jacobs House, 1748 (about 500 feet away); Tatnall Bell, 1800 (about 500 feet away); Jacob and Obadiah Dingee Houses, 1771 and 1773 (about 500 feet away); Coxe Houses, 1801 (about 500 feet away); Cook-Simms House, 1778 (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Thomas Garrett by Russ Pickett. (Submitted on September 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)

Photographed By William Pfingsten, August 31, 2008

2. Thomas Garrett Marker

This is the previous version of the marker. The text is identical to the current version, although the colors are slightly different. Additionally, the QR code has not yet been added.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 10, 2023

3. Thomas Garrett Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,321 times since then and 83 times this year. Last updated on August 6, 2013, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1. submitted on February 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on September 1, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on February 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.