John Brown:Journey to the Gallows

1800- Born to abolitionist parents in Connecticut.
1812- Witnesses a slave being brutally beaten with a shovel.
1816- Helps fugitive slaves find a place to hide on his families farm.

1831- Reads about and deeply admires Nat Turner's courage to fight slavery.
1836- Moves to Ohio and "begins his life" as a conductor on the UGRR.
1837- Reads about and is deeply influenced by Cinque and the Amistad Rebellion.
1837- Expelled from his church for escorting African-Americans to pews "reserved for whites only.
1837- Takes a vow "to end slavery" during a memorial service in honor of Elijah P. Lovejoy.
1839- Dreams (and begins planning) of leading a slave revolt.

1847- Meets with Frederick Douglass to discuss his slave revolt plans.
1849- Moves to North Elba, NY (America's "first" biracial community) to help fugitive slaves.
1849- Focuses his slave revolt plan on Harper's Ferry Arsenal.

1855- Travels to Kansas to fight pro-slavery ruffians.
1856- Senator Charles Sumner is caned into unconsciousness.
1856- Directs the "executions" of 5 pro-slavery advocates 5 days after the Sumner beating.
1856- Angered by President Pierce decision to allow slavery in Kansas based on the Dred Scott decision.

 

 

1857- Travels to Boston to raise money for the raid on Harper's Ferry.

1857- Travels to Kansas to recruit help for Harper's Ferry.

1858- Hides for 3 weeks with Frederick Douglass to avoid arrest. 

1858- Writes a new United States Constitution based on equality for all.

1858- Travels to Missouri and forcibly liberates 12 slaves and takes them to Canada.

1859- Raises more money for Harper's Ferry plan.

July 1859- Arrives in Harper's Ferry to scout and plan...rents a house as a center of the attack.

August 1859- Meets with Frederick Douglass for the last time...begs him to join the raid.

October 1859- Successfully captures Harper's Ferry Arsenal...but later captured and held for trial.

December 1859- Executed for murder and conspiracy to lead a slave revolt.

 

 



"If you want my blood, you can have it any moment, without this mockery of a trial."