William Penn Annex East in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The opener of the Way

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

1. The opener of the Way Marker Text

Inscription.

In 1793, Cap Français, the capital of St. Domingue (Haiti), nearly burned to the ground during a massive uprising of the enslaved. White and Creole plantation owners, with enslaved people in tow, fled to Philadelphia and other American port cities. As a result, the population of Philadelphians of African descent increased by about one-third.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1793.

Location. 39° 57.03′ N, 75° 9′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in William Penn Annex East. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street and South Independence Mall West (6th Street), on the left when traveling west on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 Market St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Day of Reciprocity (here, next to this marker); "Burn this treaty to Hell!" (here, next to this marker); The Executive Branch (here, next to this marker); "I am free now" (here, next to this marker); "We shall come to a civil war"

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(here, next to this marker); Refuge in the country (here, next to this marker); "An Act respecting fugitives from Justice" (here, next to this marker); Suppressing the Opposition (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

More about this marker. The marker is highly reflective and difficult to photograph straight on.

Also see . . .
1. Upheavals in France and Saint-Domingue, 1792-1796. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. The Slave Rebellion of 1791. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. St. Domingue - The Rebellion. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Haitian Revolution. (Submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

The opener of the Way Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

2. The opener of the Way Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 22, 2017

3. The opener of the Way Marker

Exhibit on the exterior of the east wall of The President's House partial reconstruction (second marker from left)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 207 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.