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All too often we talk about the "price of freedom." But do we ever consider what that price is? For some soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan right now, the cost is in limbs and time away from families, if not death. Some suffer a cost to their psyche. In the Civil War millions died so that slavery could end in our nation.
Garrett was born 21 August 1789 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. When he was a child his parents actively hid runaway slaves in their Delaware County, Pennsylvania, farmhouse. History records little of his early life, but it seems that in 1913 he returned home to bad news. A free black woman, who was a household servant, was kidnapped and sold into slavery. Garrett tracked down the kidnappers and rescued his employee. After this he dedicated himself to the struggle for freedom for slaves-a struggle that is said to have helped over 2,700 slaves who passed through his "station." Another defining event in 1813 also shaped the life of Thomas Garrett. Thomas Garrett and Mary Sharpless were united in holy matrimony. Mary died after the birth of their fifth child in 1828. In 1830 Garrett married Rachel Mendenhall, the daughter of a fellow Quaker abolitionist from Chester County, Pennsylvania. They had one child, Eli, together and remained married for 38 years. In 1822 Garrett came to Wilmington. Garret was a prominent iron and blacksmith merchant with a home and business on 227 Shipley Street. Garrett was a Quaker committed to the anti-slavery efforts of his Quaker faith. His courage and hard work, along with his great skill, made him successful and trusted. He became friends with many of the world's great abolitionists, including Harriet Tubman.
Esteemed Friend, J. Miller McKim: - We made arrangements last night, and sent away Harriet Tubman, with six men and one woman to Allen Agnew's, to be forwarded across the country to the city. Harriet, and one of the men had worn the shoes off their feet, and I gave them two dollars to help fit them out, and directed a carriage to be hired at my expense, to take them out, but do not yet know the expense....
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