Cambridge in Dorchester County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Stanley Institute
Racing to Freedom
— Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway —
Caroline and Daniel Stanley and their six children escaped with Nat and Lizzie Amby and six others. Two weeks later, a group of 28 fled from nearby. Aaron and Daffney Cornish, Joe and Susan Viney, and Kit and Leah Anthony brought away numerous children. Siblings Joe and Sarah Jane Hill joined them. Heavily armed, they appeared determined to avoid capture. Braving cold, rainy weather they raced toward Wilmington, Delaware closely pursued by slave catchers seeking high rewards, including $2.000 offered by Samuel Pattison. With help from individuals along the Underground Railroad, they made their way to freedom in Canada.
Shocked Dorchester residents increased slave patrols and restricted the mobility of blacks, making Harriet Tubman’s own return trips impossible for nearly three years.
(Inscription beside the photo in the lower left)
RIGHT: Emma Piper was the first teacher to welcome students to the new Stanley Institute. Before the Civil War, it was a crime to teach a slave to read, and there were few opportunities for free blacks to learn. In 1867, the local community set about educating their children. For the next 100 years, generations of students reported here for schooling
(Inscription below the photo)
Joseph F. Souza, Jr. Graphite Drawing based on a Photograph of Miss Emma.
(Inscription below the drawing at the top)
William Still..Twenty-Eight Fugitives Escaping from the Eastern Shore of Maryland 1872. Courtesy of the New York Public Library
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans. In addition, it is included in the Harriet Tubman, and the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1857.
Location. 38° 32.7′ N, 76° 6.186′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Maryland, in Dorchester County. Marker is on Church Creek Road (SR 16). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cambridge MD 21613, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named "Stanley Institute" (within shouting distance of this marker); “Appleby” (approx. 1.4 miles away); Bethel Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Empowering the People (approx. 1.9 miles away); Up Pine Street: Muir to Cedar Street (approx. 1.9 miles away); Jazz on Pine Street (approx. 1.9 miles away); Thomas Holliday Hicks (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Thomas Holliday Hicks (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.

Photographed By Joseph F. Souza
8. Emma Piper Turner
Emma Piper was the first teacher to welcome students to the new Stanley Institute. Before the Civil War, it was a crime to teach a slave to read, and there were few opportunities for free blacks to learn. In 1867, the local community set about educating their children. For the next 100 years, generations of students reported here for schooling.
Joseph F. Souza, Jr. modeled this graphite drawing of “Miss Emma” on a photograph. Along with Mrs. Turners great-grandchildren, Richard Blake and Dawn Blake Souza, he donated it to the Stanley Institute on June 10, 2012.Close-up of image on marker
Joseph F. Souza, Jr. modeled this graphite drawing of “Miss Emma” on a photograph. Along with Mrs. Turners great-grandchildren, Richard Blake and Dawn Blake Souza, he donated it to the Stanley Institute on June 10, 2012.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on March 10, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 8, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 7, 8, 9. submitted on March 10, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.