Jonathan Walker, American Abolitionist

Jonathan Walker being beaten in pillory. Jonathan Walker (1799 May 1, 1878) was an American abolitionist. During his, Walker learned to sail and became captain of a fishing vessel. In 1837, he moved to Florida where the degrading conditions and brutality shown to slaves bothered him. In 1844 he aided several slaves as they attempted to make escape in an open boat from the coast of Florida to the British West Indies. After doubling the capes, Walker fell seriously ill, the crew would all have been drowned if a wrecking sloop had not rescued them and taken Walker to Key West. From there, he was sent in chains aboard USS General Taylor to Pensacola, where he was put in prison, chained to the floor, and deprived of light and proper food. Put on trial in federal court, Walker was convicted, sentenced to be tied to a pillory, and publicly branded on his right hand with the lettersss for slave stealer. Walker was then returned to jail, confined eleven months, and released only after northern abolitionists paid his fine. For five years after his release, Walker lectured on slavery in the northern and western states. He died in 1878 and a monument was erected in his honor. Illustration from: Trial and imprisonment of Jonathan Walker, at Pensacola, Florida, for aiding slaves to escape from bondage. Published be the Anti-slavery office, 1845

Picture No

12696647

Media ID

47672603

Size

4650px x 3029px (1.5MB)

Credit

LOC/Science Source/Mary Evans