Background

“By the eve of the American Civil War one third of the population of Texas was enslaved” (Baker, Till IX)

From 1830 to 1860, there was a continual movement of runaway slaves into Mexico and although not as publicized, it was just as common as the movement of runaways into free northern territory and Canada (Barriffe 1-2).

"In relationship to the growing problem of fugitive slaves, the Republic passed the following law: ― "Every person who shall steal or entice away any slave, out of or from the possession of the owner or owners of such slave, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction thereof, shall suffer death" (Lockhart 22).

Slave owners placed ads in newspapers offering rewards for the capture and return of those who defiantly escape enslavement. Ads contain names and descriptions of escapees, including physical and distinctive features, literacy level, specialized skills, and where an escapee might be headed and why.

“From 1830 to 1860, there was a continual movement of runaway slaves into Mexico and although not as publicized, it was just as common as the movement of runaways into free northern territory and Canada.” (Barriffe 1-2).

Front Page of Houston Newspaper with Fugitive Slave Act In Front of It

“Ran away from Fannin House on the 13^th inst., boy BEN, aged about 30 years, 6 feet and upwards high, hair short, goatee on chin, black color, talks long and slow - had on when he went away a bedticking shirt, brown linen pants, coarse broad brimed palmetto hat, is said to have a wife at Mr. Leman’s near Frost Town. I will give a liberal reward for his delivery to me at the Fannin House - supposed to be lurking around the city - originally from near Shreveport, La.” Sept 15 6t, J.H.MURRAY.

-Ad courtesy of Briscoe Center for American History

Quebedeaux Park, where the Houston Family Law Center is located, used to be the site of a hotel called ‘Fannin House.’ This is the location of an escape to freedom made by an enslaved person named Ben in 1864. The freedom marker will be placed inside the revitalized Remembrance Park at this location to honor the bravery he showed in his own liberation.