Riverfront in Wilmington in New Castle County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas Garrett
(b. August 21, 1789 - d. January 24, 1871)
"No labor during a long life has given me so much real happiness as what I have done for the slave."
Thomas Garrett has been called Delaware's greatest humanitarian and is credited with helping more than 2,700 slaves escape to freedom in a forty-year long career as a station master of the Underground Railroad. His abolitionist activities, along with the Quaker congregation from the Friends Meeting House in Wilmington, helped to make Wilmington an important gateway on the freedom trail. Garrett helped Harriet Tubman on her many journeys, giving her food, clothing, shelter, and money. He was convicted of violating the federal Fugitive Slave Law in 1848 and heavily fined and forced into bankruptcy. Garrett devoted his life to the abolitionist cause, openly defying slave hunters, as well as the slave system.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Churches & Religion • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 39° 44.21′ N, 75° 33.166′ W. Marker is in Wilmington, Delaware, in New Castle County. It is in Riverfront. Marker is at the intersection of Rosa Parks Drive and South King Street
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harriet Tubman (here, next to this marker); The Great Railroad Boom (a few steps from this marker); The Big Quarterly (a few steps from this marker); The Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Underground Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Lost (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); South Market Street Bridge Dedicated in Honor of Senator John E. Reilly, Sr. (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The Great Railroad Boom (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wilmington.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 155 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
