The Man Who Mailed Himself to Freedom

The Man Who Mailed Himself to Freedom In 1849, a man escaped slavery by mailing himself in a box. For twenty-seven hours. This really happened. His name was Henry Brown, and he was enslaved in Richmond, Virginia. His wife and children were sold away from him. He decided he would be free, whatever it took. His plan was crazy. He would hide in a wooden box, and be shipped to the free North. The box was less than one meter long. He had a little water, and a few holes to breathe. The box went by wagon, by train, and by steamboat. Sometimes it was upside down, for hours. He did not make a sound. Not once. Twenty-seven hours later, the box arrived in Philadelphia. Friends opened the lid. Henry stood up and said good morning, gentlemen. Then he sang a song of thanks. From then on, everyone called him Henry Box Brown. Free. In 1849, a man escaped slavery by mailing himself in a box. For twenty-seven hours.