Henry "Box" Brown: The Journey to Freedom

Henry was born into slavery in Virginia around 1815. He married Nancy, and they had children, but his family was repeatedly sold. Determined to escape, Henry devised a plan to ship himself in a box to Philadelphia, where he gained freedom. Despite an offer to buy his family's freedom, he refused, causing controversy. After the Fugitive Slave Act, he fled to England, became a magician, remarried, and returned to the US post-slavery. He died in Canada in 1897.

What metaphor did Henry's mother use to describe the separation of slave children from their families?

• Falling leaves from trees

• Rising sun in the morning

• Blowing wind

• Flowing river

What was the name of Henry's first wife?

• Jane

• Nancy

• Mary

• Sarah

How did Henry plan to escape from slavery?

• By shipping himself in a box

• By hiding in a ship

• By disguising as a soldier

• By crossing the river

What was the main risk Henry faced during his escape journey?

• Getting lost on the way

• Being turned upside down in the box

• Running out of food and water

• Being caught by slave catchers

What was Henry's reaction upon reaching Philadelphia?

• He cried tears of joy

• He sang a hymn

• He fainted from exhaustion

• He wrote a letter to his family

Why did Henry refuse the offer to buy his family's freedom?

• The reason is not clearly known

• He was afraid of being caught

• He wanted to focus on his new life

• He didn't have enough money

What career did Henry pursue after moving to England?

• A magician

• A teacher

• A writer

• A politician