Maryland Freedom Seekers on the Underground Railroad - In-person

with author Jenny Masur

Join us for an author talk celebrating Black History Month and learn about local history.

About The Book:

Maryland was the starting point of many unsung heroes
of the Underground Railroad. Freedom seekers embarked on
the perilous journey from slavery to freedom in whatever way
they could. John Thompson signed onto a whaling ship. James
Watkins sailed to England and became a lecturer on slavery.
Hester Norman fled, was caught and was rescued by the Black
community in her husband’s Pennsylvania town. They used ruses
and found allies to elude slave catchers but lived in constant fear
until they obtained their freedom papers. In their adventures,
these freedom seekers used initiative, determination and courage.
These qualities served them well as they achieved freedom. Jenny
Masur tells their stories.

About the Author:

Jenny Masur is a native Washingtonian. She worked for seventeen
years for the National Park Service as national capital region
manager for the National Underground Railroad Network to
Freedom. Her doctorate is in anthropology, and her interest in
individual lives dates from the book Jewish Grandmothers, which
she coedited while in graduate school. Her respect for the heroes
of the Underground Railroad continues to grow.

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cm 1.1 01/03/2023

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