"The Rocks" and the Underground Railroad

"The Rocks" and the Underground Railroad. . , "The Rocks," a natural landing on the Christina River, was critical to Wilmington's Underground Railroad network. Captain James Watson Fountain outfitted a schooner to secretly carry freedom-seekers north from North Carolina and Virginia. Black "pilots" like Harry A. Craigg, Jr. waited for the signal to bring passengers ashore, where Black and white agents sheltered them until they could safely journey onward., Harry A. Craigg, Jr., most noted of the Black operatives in Wilmington's resistance movement, owned property, had a family and worked as a brickmaker for abolitionist, John Hilles. Craigg collaborated with Wilmington "stationmaster," Thomas Garrett and William Still of Philadelphia, petitioned against oppressive Black laws and co-founded a masonic lodge. He moved to Philadelphia in the early 1860s and died there in 1894 at age 73., Did proximity aid success? Fountain and Craigg lived in East Side near The Rocks, and Fountain's father-in-law was the Keeper of the Christina Light House, from which he could see all ships come in. Stars marks these key locations., Southern officials readily suspected northern ship captains of transporting "fugitives." In the 1850s, Virginia mandated inspection of all departing vessels. Fountain increased his chances of success by cultivating a fierce personality and rugged appearance. In 1855, he furiously took an axe to his ship's deck as Norfolk representatives searched for runaways. The startled inspectors left without finding 21 people hidden below. In 1862 Fountain joined the Union Navy as a pilot and acting-master.,

Dear Friend, William Still :, Captain Fountain has arrived all safe, with the human cargo thee was inquiring for, a few days since. I had men waiting till 12 o'clock till the Captain arrived at his berth, ready to receive them; last night they then learned, that he had landed them at the Rocks, near the old Swedes church, in the care of our efficient Pilot, who is in the employ of my friend, John Hillis, and he has them now in charge. As soon as my breakfast is over, I will see Hillis and determine what is best to be done in their case. My own opinion is, we had better send them to Hook and there put them in the cars to-night and send a pilot to take them to thy house. As Marcus Hook is in Pennsylvania, the agent of the cars runs no risk of the fine of five hundred dollars our State imposes for assisting one of God's poor out of the State by steamboat or cars., As ever thy friend, Thos. Garrett.

, References: , William Still, The Underground Railroad, 1872:165-172, 325; James A. McGowan, Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad, The Life and Letters of Thomas Garrett, 205:140; "Slave Dealer's Story," The Reading Times and Dispatch, Reading, PA; 13 , May 1879:3; Craigg family genealogy; Fold3: Widow's pension application, Isabella Fountain.