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Myths of the “Slave Tunnel”

Unravel the mystery surrounding the alleged "slave tunnel" found at the John Brown House in 1901. Explore the historical context, financial struggles, and the truth behind the secret tunnels. Dive into the controversy of its practicality and existence today.

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Myths of the “Slave Tunnel”

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  1. Myths of the “Slave Tunnel” Siham Abed

  2. The Browns and the Slave Trade • Not major slave traders • By Mercantile Elite standards • 1736 James Brown dispatched Mary • Returned with “several” slaves • Small-scale trade for two decades • For provisioning voyages

  3. Financial Hardships • In 1759 the Wheel of Fortune was sent to Africa • Substantial financial setback • 1763 the economy was suffering • Brothers needed capital • Sent Sally to Africa

  4. Sally and the Aftermath • Nine month journey • 109 of the 196 captives perished • Remaining 87 auctioned for ₤5 in Antigua • Second Failed Mission • Nicholas, Moses, and Joseph withdrew from trans-Atlantic slave trading

  5. John and the Slave Trade • 1769 dispatched the Sutton • Ended partnership between brothers • Sponsored at least 3 more missions • Slaves as Commerce • Large risks and rewards

  6. Anti-Slavery Legislation • 1774 Direct importation from Africa into colony prohibited • 1784 Gradual Abolition Act • 1787 Slave trading was prohibited • No will or resources to prosecute • 1795 John Brown Prosecuted • 1st American to be prosecuted in federal court for illegal slave trade

  7. Tunnel Discovery • In 1901 Marsden J. Perry purchased the John Brown House • Began renovations • Thomas E. Manney, plumber discovered cornerstone and “tunnel”

  8. The Tunnel • “Passage starts from two locations: SE and NW corners of the mansion- meeting at the SW corner. • Large enough for “two men to crawl through together- too big, it seems to me, for a drain pipe.” –Manney • Architect Alfred Stone “does not hesitate in ascribing drainage as the intended function of the conduit.”

  9. Secret Tunnels • To hide involvement, tunnels were supposedly dug from the waterfront to various houses. • Later used in the Underground Railroad • No evidence

  10. Practicality of Tunnel Making • Two tunnels do exist: • A bus tunnel and an abandoned train tunnel • Construction in early 20th century: • Took weeks • Employed explosives • Heavy equipment • Many workmen -Really noticeable as people for miles around knew what was going on.

  11. Tunnel Necessity • Easier and cheaper ways to sneak people around • Enough crawl space for just two people is a difficult journey uphill • Not at all cost-effective to build tunnels • Those who did notice, took no notice when bribed

  12. Tunnel: Fact or Fiction? • The slave tunnel is merely an urban legend • The anecdotes can all be disproven • Far too expensive for something that was not all that necessary • No evidence survives to prove its existence today

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