Ann
Maria Weems was fifteen when she ran from slavery. She was the
property of Mr. Price. Mr. Price would rape his young female slaves, so
as to breed them and make more slaves. Ann Maria was worried of her
fate. An abolitionist lawyer had been able to purchase the freedom of
Ann Maria’s mother and brother. However he refused to sell Ann Maria.
Price had an inkling Ann Maria might attempt escape. He made her sleep
on the floor of his room. However, she did get away, and made her way
to Washington D.C. where her mother and brother were living. A reward
of $500 was offered, and slave hunters in the D.C. area were on the
look-out for Ann Maria.
The
lawyer was still helping the family, and an intricate plan was devised
for her to get out of the city. J. Bigelow, the lawyer, as a doctor to
help in the plan. The Dr. was driven by coach to the White House.
Making it look like he had business. Ann Maria, now disguised as Joe
Wright, the coachman, took over at the coach, and then starting heading
out of the city. In this way they made their way to the home of an
Under Ground Railroad member. She was invited to eat, still disguised
as Joe Wright. When the manager came in, she still kept up her disguise
until she went outside where the manager followed her. She then
revealed who she was, as she had been cautioned to tell no one who she
was but the manager.
She was assisted on her way to Dresden in Canada where she was met by her aunt and uncle who lived there.
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