"I Have a Story": The Great Escape of Henry Box Brown - Greg McQuade / WTVR (2/25/24)

It is one of the most remarkable tales of escape in American history and it occurred right here in Richmond. In his latest feature Greg McQuade shares the story of a man so desperate to taste liberty he risked his life by mailing himself to freedom. The journey of Henry Box Brown reads like fiction but as Greg shows us 175 years later his escape still resonates today. Henry was an enslaved man who was born in Louisa and worked at a tobacco factory in Richmond. In 1849 his wife and three children were sold and forced to move away. With nothing to live for a despondent Henry made an unimaginable decision. With some help from friends Henry boxed himself up in a crate and mailed it to an anti-slavery group in Philadelphia. Henry spent 27 painful hours in a three by two and a half foot box sitting on a train, boat and wagon. The reward was worth the risk. For the first time Henry tasted freedom.

[@oliverdavis5372]

So Awesome! The price of Freedom is Priceless!

[@irene-monique89]

What a new fond respect for my ancestors! Wow such a beautiful and heart tugging story ! I am truly so proud of my people and all that they done to get us where we are an even more proud to be an African American 💯😌👏🏽💕

[@rethaf4747]

WOW!! I'm always amazed of our black history. It's ashamed most is not taught in schools.😢

[@virginiadancy7210]

Interesting indeed...