Thomas Garrett

Thomas Garrett was born on August 21, 1789 in Delaware Country, Pennsylvania. He was a Quaker and made himself a career in iron trades. He joined the Pennsylvania Abolition Society. In 1820, as a wealthy iron merchant, he moved to Wilmington, Delaware. The State of Maryland put a $10,000 reward on the arrest of Garrett because he helped free slaves. In 1848, he was fined and became bankrupt at the age of 60 years-old. In Federal Court, a suit was brought against Garrett. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney made judgment against Garrett. His friends helped him get his money back. During the Civil War, African Americans protected his home from angry people that supported slaves. On January 25, 1871, Garrett died. Before he died, he made a request that he wanted African Americans to carry him to his grave. Garrett helped more than 2,700 slaves gain freedom.