Scotland in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Storm Blocks the Road to Freedom

Point Lookout State Park

— Maryland Park Service —

Storm Blocks the Road to Freedom Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

1. Storm Blocks the Road to Freedom Marker

Inscription.

Storm Blocks the Road to Freedom. Point Lookout State Park. , In April 1848, seventy-seven slaves boarded a schooner, The Pearl, anchored in Washington, D.C., arranged by anti-slavery activist, William L. Chapin. Captains Daniel Drayton and Edmund Sayres intended to sail down the Potomac River and up the Chesapeake Bay to Philadelphia, where the fugitives could live in freedom. Tides and storms prevented the boat from reaching the Chesapeake, stranding the boat in Cornfield Harbor. An armed posse organized by slave owners found the anchored boat, leaving no choice but surrender for those seeking freedom., Two of the Pearl's unlucky passengers, sisters Mary and Emily Edmonson, were taken to the Washington, D.C. jail and sold to a slave trader, along with their siblings for $4,500. Working with the girl's father, Paul Edmonson, the renowned preacher Henry Ward Beecher and his congregation raised enough money to gain their liberty in November 1848. Beecher, his congregation and his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe worked to support Mary and Emily throughout their education. They were able to send them to Oberlin College in Ohio, and Harriet later recounted The Pearl's story in a response to her classic novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, titled A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin., Mary Edmonson (1832-1853) and Emily Edmonson (1835-1895), (both seen above), campaigned with Beecher throughout the North for the end of slavery in the United States. they participated in anti-slavery rallies and recounted their life in slavery and their escape attempt many times, attracting wide attention. Working with Beecher, they participated in mock slave auctions as an effort to attract publicity to the abolitionist cause. Mary died of tuberculosis shortly after arriving at Oberlin College while Emily returned to the Washington D.C. area and attended classes at the Normal School. Emily continued her work on the abolitionist movement with her close friend and neighbor, Frederick Douglass while they both lived in the Anacostia neighborhood until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.

In April 1848, seventy-seven slaves boarded a schooner, The Pearl, anchored in Washington, D.C., arranged by anti-slavery activist, William L. Chapin. Captains Daniel Drayton and Edmund Sayres intended to sail down the Potomac River and up the Chesapeake Bay to Philadelphia, where the fugitives could live in freedom. Tides and storms prevented the boat from reaching the Chesapeake, stranding the boat in Cornfield Harbor. An armed posse organized by slave owners found the anchored boat, leaving no choice but surrender for those seeking freedom.

Two of the Pearl's unlucky passengers, sisters Mary and Emily Edmonson, were taken to the Washington, D.C. jail and sold to a slave trader, along with their siblings for $4,500. Working with the girl's father, Paul Edmonson, the renowned preacher Henry Ward Beecher and his congregation raised enough money to gain their liberty in November 1848. Beecher, his congregation and his sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe worked to support Mary and Emily throughout their education. They were able to send them to Oberlin College in Ohio—and Harriet later recounted The Pearl's story in a response to her classic novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, titled A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Mary Edmonson (1832-1853) and Emily Edmonson (1835-1895), (both seen above), campaigned with Beecher throughout the North for the end of slavery in the United States. they participated in anti-slavery rallies and recounted their life in slavery and their escape attempt many times, attracting wide attention. Working with Beecher, they participated in mock slave auctions as an effort to attract publicity to the abolitionist cause. Mary died of tuberculosis shortly after arriving at Oberlin College while Emily returned to the Washington D.C. area and attended classes at the Normal School. Emily continued her work on the abolitionist movement with her close friend and neighbor, Frederick Douglass while they both lived in the Anacostia neighborhood until the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment.

Erected by Maryland

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Park Service; Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1848.

Location. 38° 2.88′ N, 76° 19.555′ W. Marker is in Scotland, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It can be reached from Point Lookout Road (Maryland Route 5) south of 3rd Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10444 Point Lookout Rd, Scotland MD 20687, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

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 one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

2. Storm Blocks the Road to Freedom Marker

of this marker: A Crucial Point (here, next to this marker); Defense Strategies (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Fort #3 (a few steps from this marker); Redoubt #3 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Veteran Reserve Corps (within shouting distance of this marker); The 5th Massachusetts Colored Cavalry (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Colored Troops (within shouting distance of this marker); The Armaments of Point Lookout (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scotland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Lincoln (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Shipwreck! (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.