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
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. Marker 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.
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 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Shockoe (about 400 feet away); Lincoln's Visit to Richmond (about 500 feet away); Canal Walk / Historic Canals (about 500 feet away); Richmond Local Flood Protection (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 18, 2023
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 102 times since then and 22 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.