Myths of the Myths of the “Slave Tunnel” “Slave Tunnel”

Siham AbedSiham Abed

The Browns and the Slave The Browns and the Slave TradeTrade

Not major slave tradersNot major slave traders By Mercantile Elite standardsBy Mercantile Elite standards

1736 James Brown dispatched 1736 James Brown dispatched MaryMary Returned with “several” slavesReturned with “several” slaves

Small-scale trade for two decadesSmall-scale trade for two decades For provisioning voyagesFor provisioning voyages

Financial HardshipsFinancial Hardships

In 1759 the In 1759 the Wheel of FortuneWheel of Fortune was was sent to Africasent to Africa Substantial financial setbackSubstantial financial setback

1763 the economy was suffering1763 the economy was suffering Brothers needed capitalBrothers needed capital Sent Sent SallySally to Africa to Africa

SallySally and the Aftermath and the Aftermath

Nine month journeyNine month journey 109 of the 196 captives perished109 of the 196 captives perished Remaining 87 auctioned for Remaining 87 auctioned for 5 in ₤5 in ₤

AntiguaAntigua Second Failed MissionSecond Failed Mission

Nicholas, Moses, and Joseph withdrewNicholas, Moses, and Joseph withdrew

from trans-Atlantic slave tradingfrom trans-Atlantic slave trading

John and the Slave TradeJohn and the Slave Trade

1769 dispatched the 1769 dispatched the SuttonSutton Ended partnership between brothersEnded partnership between brothers

Sponsored at least 3 more missionsSponsored at least 3 more missions Slaves as CommerceSlaves as Commerce

Large risks and rewardsLarge risks and rewards

Anti-Slavery LegislationAnti-Slavery Legislation

1774 Direct importation from Africa 1774 Direct importation from Africa into colony prohibitedinto colony prohibited

1784 Gradual Abolition Act1784 Gradual Abolition Act 1787 Slave trading was prohibited1787 Slave trading was prohibited

No will or resources to prosecute No will or resources to prosecute 1795 John Brown Prosecuted1795 John Brown Prosecuted

11stst American to be prosecuted in American to be prosecuted in federal court for illegal slave tradefederal court for illegal slave trade

Tunnel Discovery Tunnel Discovery

In 1901 Marsden J. In 1901 Marsden J. Perry purchased the Perry purchased the John Brown HouseJohn Brown House Began renovationsBegan renovations

Thomas E. Manney, Thomas E. Manney, plumber discovered plumber discovered cornerstone and cornerstone and “tunnel”“tunnel”

The TunnelThe Tunnel

““Passage starts from two locations: SE Passage starts from two locations: SE and NW corners of the mansion- meeting and NW corners of the mansion- meeting at the SW corner. at the SW corner.

Large enough for “two men to crawl Large enough for “two men to crawl through together- too big, it seems to through together- too big, it seems to me, for a drain pipe.” –Manneyme, for a drain pipe.” –Manney

Architect Alfred Stone “does not hesitate Architect Alfred Stone “does not hesitate in ascribing drainage as the intended in ascribing drainage as the intended function of the conduit.” function of the conduit.”

Secret TunnelsSecret Tunnels

To hide To hide involvement, involvement, tunnels were tunnels were supposedly dug supposedly dug from the waterfront from the waterfront to various houses.to various houses.

Later used in the Later used in the Underground Underground RailroadRailroad

No evidenceNo evidence

Practicality of Tunnel Practicality of Tunnel MakingMaking

Two tunnels do exist:Two tunnels do exist: A bus tunnel and an abandoned train tunnelA bus tunnel and an abandoned train tunnel

Construction in early 20Construction in early 20thth century: century: Took weeksTook weeks Employed explosivesEmployed explosives Heavy equipmentHeavy equipment Many workmenMany workmen

-Really noticeable as people for miles around -Really noticeable as people for miles around knew what was going on.knew what was going on.

Tunnel Necessity Tunnel Necessity

Easier and cheaper ways to sneak Easier and cheaper ways to sneak people aroundpeople around Enough crawl space for just two Enough crawl space for just two

people is a difficult journey uphillpeople is a difficult journey uphill Not at all cost-effective to build Not at all cost-effective to build

tunnelstunnels Those who did notice, took no Those who did notice, took no

notice when bribednotice when bribed

Tunnel: Fact or Fiction?Tunnel: Fact or Fiction?

The slave tunnel is merely an urban The slave tunnel is merely an urban legendlegend The anecdotes can all be disprovenThe anecdotes can all be disproven

Far too expensive for something Far too expensive for something that was not all that necessarythat was not all that necessary

No evidence survives to prove its No evidence survives to prove its existence today existence today