Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Waterways to Freedom - Maria Weems and Leah Green

The Sea Connects Us

— Mystic Seaport Museum —

Waterways to Freedom - Maria Weems and Leah Green Marker image. Click for full size.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 24, 2023

1. Waterways to Freedom - Maria Weems and Leah Green Marker

Inscription. Travel aboard a ship was often a much safer route to freedom than attempting an escape from enslavement on land. Some of the Underground Railroad's bravest conductors were sea captains. Escape by sea required much ingenuity. In 1854, fifteen-year-old Maria Weems escaped from slavery disguised as a boy with the help of a sea captain nicknamed "Powder Boy." Another woman, Leah Green, shipped herself to freedom inside a rope-bound seaman's chest aboard a steamship from Baltimore to Philadelphia. She was accompanied by her future mother-in-law, a free African American woman who untied ropes twice to allow Green some fresh air.

Erected 2022 by Mystic Seaport Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 41° 21.713′ N, 71° 57.912′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville Avenue north of Rossie Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic CT 06355, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline,

in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore,

and in the Thames River Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

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 New London County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Whaleboat (a few steps from this marker); Sardine Carrier Regina M

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(a few steps from this marker); Cape Cod Catboat Breck Marshall (a few steps from this marker); Hercules Model EK7 Kerosene Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Tank from the Schooner Beulah (within shouting distance of this marker); Block Island Fire Engine #1 (within shouting distance of this marker); Fishing Schooner L.A. Dunton (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Tinkham’s Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.

By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 24, 2023

2. Waterways to Freedom - Maria Weems and Leah Green Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.