Historians affirm that Thomas Garrett is one of the prominent personalities who took an active role in the development of Underground Railroad. He was born on 21 August 1790 at Upper Darby Pennsylvania and died on 25 January 1817. Throughout his lifetime and career as a stationmaster, Thomas worked as an abolitionist and helped more than three thousand slaves escape; an idea that compelled others credit him as Delaware greatest savior (Heinrichs, 56).
The venture of helping slaves originated from his up bring as White Quaker son, where he learnt to help and assist runway slaves. His family owned a Delaware farm in the countryside where they aided slaves escape. One day, a black employee working for his family was kidnapped and taken as a slave. This experience compelled him dedicate his as an abolitionist, advocating for anti-slavery policies.
In 1812, Thomas married his first wife Ms Margaret Sharpless and they got five children. Unfortunately, she died in 1828 after giving birth to her firth child. Two years later, Thomas married his second wife Ms Rachel Mendenhall; a daughter of a White Quaker. The couple was blessed with one child named Eli and they lived happily for thirty-eight years in marriage. Thomas operated a hardware business that enabled him secure a job as a station master on the eastern line. The business also opened an opportunity for him to connect with William Still who was a station master at Philadelphia region. William and Thomas shared many things in common bearing in mind that they were both activists and abolitionist. In 1849, Thomas and William were convicted for assisting slaves escape in Maryland and they were severely punished. Thomas acted as social activists who fought for the rights of minority groups in America. While working as a station master at underground eastern line, he helped slaves escape and fight tireless for abolishment of slavery (McGowan, 54).
His stand on protecting rights of minority groups was manifested in 1870, when he joined blacks in celebrating their right to vote. In conclusion, Thomas experience as a child compelled him support anti-slavery policies. His used his power as a station master to assist slaves escape and fight for their rights as minority groups.
Works cited
Heinrichs, Ann. The Underground Railroad. Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2001. Print
McGowan, James A.. Station master on the Underground Railroad: the life and letters of Thomas Garrett. Rev. ed. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co., 2005. Print.
