Belle and Mayo Islands in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
In a wooden crate similar to this one…
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
1. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
In a wooden crate similar to this one, Henry Brown, a Richmond tobacco worker, made the journey from slavery to freedom in 1849.
"My friends…managed to break open the box, and then came my resurrection from the grave of slavery."
"I rose a free man."
"I hid me down in my darkened home of three feet by two."
"Buoyed by the prospect of freedom…I was willing to dare even death itself."
"The idea dashed across my mind of shutting myself up in a box, and getting myself conveyed…to a free state."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.
Location. 37° 31.934′ N, 77° 25.885′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in Belle and Mayo Islands. It is on Canal Walk west of South 17th Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 Dock St, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: African Americans and the Waterfront (a few steps from this marker); Triple Crossing (a few steps from this marker); James River & Kanawha Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Shockoe Slip
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Kanawha Canal (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
2. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
3. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
4. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
5. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
6. In a wooden crate similar to this one… Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2023, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 19, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
