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Thomas parents were Thomas Garrett Sr. and Sarah
Price. Thomas Garrett had 11 siblings, including his
half brother Samuel. Garrett Family homestead,
Riverview.
THOMAS GARRETT
PROCLAMATION
Thomas Garrett, Jr. was born August 21, 1789 in
Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. His parents, Thomas, Sr.
and Rachael Sellers were both Quakers. Thomas, Jr.
had three siblings, one of whom was his brother
Edward.
Thomas, Jr. worked in the iron trades, during which
time he married and raised a family. Garrett became
a wealthy iron merchant when he moved his family
from Upper Darby to Wilmington, Delaware in the
early 1800's.
Mr. Thomas Garrett's family involvement in the
anti-slavery movement dated back to the middle
1700's. He joined the Pennsylvania Abolition
Society, which aided runaway slaves.
The Garrett family farm and homestead, known as "Thornfield",
helped to conceal and transport fugitive slaves.
Thomas, Jr. worked closely with his younger brother
Edward to pass freedom-seeking slaves through Upper
Darby, by way of the Underground Railroad. There are
four known letters that attest to Thomas' bravery as
an
'agent'. He once estimated that he helped to free
more than 2,700 slaves.
Thomas was not always praised for his anti-slavery
work. A reward for his arrest was set at $10,000 by
the state of Maryland. A Federal Court was brought
against him in 1848. He was later fined by a Supreme
Court Justice after telling the court he in fact
aided the fugitive slaves and would continue to do
so. Garrett fell into bankruptcy when fined and
other personal losses became unbearable. With the
help of friends he was able to reestablish his
business.
Garrett had stated he wanted to be carried to his
grave by Negroes. When he died on January 25, 1871
his request was honored. His mourners hailed him as
"Our Moses" during his Quaker funeral services.
Therefore I, F. Raymond Shay, Mayor of Upper Darby
Township, along with Township Council proclaim
January 25, 2002 as "THOMAS GARRETT, JR. DAY"
Thomas Garrett Day birthday August 21st and
memorialized January 25th
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