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

"Freedom might be too great a temptation"

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 23, 2017

1. "Freedom might be too great a temptation" Marker Text

Inscription.

Hercules, Washington's enslaved chef, asked that his son Richmond be brought to Philadelphia. If Hercules wanted Richmond to witness free people of African descent in Philadelphia, his wish ended after a short period of time. Washington sent Richmond home after writing of his fear; quoted in the letter below, that his enslaved people here would seek freedom. Despite his precautions, Washington's concerns later became reality when Hercules successfully escaped.

"The idea of freedom might be too great a temptation for them to resist. At any rate, it might, if they conceived they had a right to it, make them insolent in a State of Slavery."

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Government & Politics.

Location. 39° 57.018′ N, 75° 9.003′ 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 right when traveling east on Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: President's House Site N of Liberty Bell Pavilion, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Memorial (here, next to this marker); "…is hereby empowered to sieze such Fugitives" (here, next to this marker); Life Under Slavery (here, next to this marker); History Lost & Found (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named History Lost & Found (a few steps from this marker); "I and my household" (a few steps from this marker); Awarding a Peace Medal (a few steps from 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. George Washington’s Philadelphia Household, 1793-1794. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Hercules. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. In Search of the Slave Who Defied George Washington. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Story of Oney Judge and The Real George Washington. (Submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

"Freedom might be too great a temptation" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 23, 2017

2. "Freedom might be too great a temptation" Marker

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 23, 2017

3. "Freedom might be too great a temptation" Marker

On freestanding wall between the President's House partial reconstruction and the Liberty Bell Center.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 466 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 1, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.