Henry "Box" Brown Song and the Engraved Box, 1850

    Image shows the engraving on the box that Henry Box Brown made and shipped himself to freedom in Virginia.
    Courtesy of Library of Congress, Brown, Henry, "Engraving of the Box in Which Henry Box Brown Escaped from Slavery in Richmond, Va. Song," Boston, 1850

    Description

    The image shows the engraving on the box that Henry "Box" Brown made and shipped himself in to freedom in Virginia. The box is marked “Right side up with care.” The attached song was sung by Henry "Box" Brown when he emerged from the box in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1849. 

    Transcript of Henry "Box" Brown Song Lyrics

    Source-Dependent Questions

    • Why did Henry "Box" Brown write “right side up with care” on the side of the box?
    • How does the image of the box refute the notion that people who traveled on the Underground Railroad did so under the cover of darkness?
    • Explain the significance of Brown singing the song after he emerged from the box? What is the song about? Who does he give credit for his escape to?

    Citation Information 

    Brown, Henry, "Engraving of the Box in Which Henry Box Brown Escaped from Slavery in Richmond, Va. Song," Boston, 1850. Courtesy of Library of Congress

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