William Lloyd Garrison to John Greenleaf Whittier, discussing the deaths of other abolitionists - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC05748
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to the 1870s
Title	William Lloyd Garrison to John Greenleaf Whittier, discussing the deaths of other abolitionists
Date	10 May 1878
Author	Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879)
Recipient	Whittier, John Greenleaf
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Garrison replies to a letter from Whittier, the Quaker poet and abolitionist. Discusses the deaths of other abolitionists. Whittier had informed Garrison of the death of Captain Jonathan Walker, a fellow abolitionist. Laments Walker's death, describing him as "a kind-hearted, honest, unsophisticated man, who, for attempting to aid certain slaves to escape from their taskmasters, bore with martyr-like fortitude and serenity the penalty burnt into his living flesh by the decree of a court acting in accordance with the provisions of the Slave Code." Notes that the "SS" which was burnt on Walker's hand as punishment gave him lasting renown. Agrees to assist Whittier in raising a subscription to buy Walker a gravestone. Reports the death of Mrs. Chapman's mother, noting that Chapman lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts (possibly referring to abolitionist Maria Weston Chapman). Also comments on the death of British abolitionist George Thompson's wife, predicting that Thompson will soon follow (indeed, Thompson died later in 1878). Laments the death of New York abolitionist William Goodell, a signer of the "Declaration of Anti-Slavery Sentiments" issued at Philadelphia.
Subjects	Reform Movement Abolition African American History Slavery Law Fugitive Slave Act Runaway Slave Death Women's History
People	Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879) Whittier, John Greenleaf (1807-1892) Walker, Jonathan (1799-1878) Chapman, Maria Weston (1806-1885) Thompson, George (1804-1878) Goodell, William (1792-1878)
Place written	New York, New York
Theme	African Americans; Slavery & Abolition; Law; Women in American History
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1860-1945
Additional Information	Walker, a ship captain, attempted to help slaves escape on board his ship in 1844. For his punishment, "SS" was branded on his hand, intended to mean "Slave Stealer." Whittier dedicated the poem "The Branded Hand," to Walker, reinterpreting the "SS" to mean "Slave Savior," or "Salvation to the Slave." Walker became an active abolitionist, and toured the North giving speeches on abolition.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945
Transcript	Show/hide New York, May 10, 1878. My dear Whittier: Your letter, enclosing one to you from the Mayor of Muskegon, Mich., announcing the death of Capt. Jonathan Walker, has been forwarded to me by my son Frank. Before receiving it, I had seen a similar announcement in the daily papers of this city. Among the instrumentalities that were effective in helping to smite the fetters from the limbs of the Southern bondmen was the "branded hand" of our departed friend and co-worker- made still more potential by your stirring lyrical effusion concerning that barbarous act. Capt. Walker was a kind-hearted, honest, unsophisticated man, who, for attempting to aid certain slaves to escape from their taskmasters, bore with martyr-like fortitude and serenity the penalty burnt into his living flesh by the [2] decree of a court acting in accordance with the provisions of the Slave Code. The branded letters "S.S." were intended to designate "Slave Stealer," but their rightful meaning was "Slave Savior," and, instead of inflicting ignominy, secured lasting renown. I heartily approve of your suggestion, that a subscription should be raised to place a suitable stone over the grave of this brave sufferer in Freedom's cause; and on my return to Boston I will make you a flying visit, when we will agree upon a plan to consummate so desirable a testimonial. A letter from Mrs. Chapman, at Weymouth, announces the death of her venerable mother, at the ripe age of 93 years. I have also received intelligence of the death of Mrs. Thompson, wife of our dear friend George Thompson, at [3] Leeds, Eng., after a wasting illness which confined her to her bed for more than a year. A most happy release for her, seeing that her malady was incurable. Poor Thompson is so utterly broken in health that his translation cannot be far distant. He is indeed to be greatly commiserated. The death of our able and unflinching co-laborer, William Goodell, removes another of the signers of the "Declaration of Anti-Slavery Sentiments" issued at Philadelphia. Precisely how many of the whole number are still living I am unable to verify; probably not more than one fourth. These will all disappear within this century, doubtless. I am here on a visit to my daughter and her family, who contemplate going to Germany in June. Ever fraternally yours, Wm. Lloyd Garrison. [docket] W.L. Garrison

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