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Thomas Garrett: Giving His All For Freedom (Part 2)

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

In 1848 Garrett and John Hunn, a fellow abolitionist, were brought to trial in the U.S. Circuit Court at New Castle for aiding runaway slaves. In three days both men were found guilty. Hunn was fined $2,500 and Garrett $5,400. Garrett was not required to pay the entire amount but he lost almost everything he had worked for. At the age of 60 he was forced to begin again.

The judge advised Garrett: "Thomas, I hope you will never be caught at this business again." But Garrett replied, "Friend, I haven't a dollar in the world, but if thee knows a fugitive who needs a breakfast, send him to me."

In his closing address, Garrett regaled those in the courtroom with a redoubled commitment to help runaway slaves. He said to Judge Taney:

"Thou has left me without a dollar,....I say to thee and to all in this court room, that if anyone knows a fugitive who wants shelter....send him to Thomas Garrett and he will befriend him."

Afterwards he affirmed his conviction: "I should have done violence to my convictions, had I not made use of all the lawful means in my power to liberate those people, and assist them to become men and women rather than leave them in the condition of chattels personal."

In 1860 the Maryland state legislature called for a $10,000 reward for anyone able to arrest Garrett on the grounds of slave stealing. Garrett, 71 years old at the time, heard about the resolution and wrote to the legislature that $10,000 was not enough. For $20,000 he would turn himself in.

During the Civil War Garrett was vulnerable to pro-slavery elements in Delaware (which was a slave state). His home was protected by African American volunteers.

When the 15th Amendment passed on 30 March 1870, blacks in Wilmington carried the elderly Garrett on their shoulders through the streets and calling him "Our Moses." Garrett responded: "I rejoice that I have lived to see this day, when the colored people of this favored land, by law, have equal, privileges with the most favored."

Thomas Garrett died on 25 January 1871. He left instructions that he was to be carried to his grave by African Americans and that they should participate in the Quaker service. Garrett's funeral was attended by many of the black residents of the city and featured a procession of Garrett's coffin - borne from shoulder to shoulder up to his final resting place. The grave of Thomas Garrett is still marked by a humble stone, in the cemetery at the Wilmington Friends Meeting House at 4th and West Streets in Quaker Hill.

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