John Brown's Mirror

“Between the North and the South stands the gallows of John Brown.”   Victor Hugo

                  John Brown is most widely recognized as a dedicated abolitionist and the organizer and leader of the raid on Harper’s Ferry, considered by many the opening volley of the Civil War. It is said that “one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter” and that concept has led to a variety of opinions on aspects of his life’s work and actions. Much is debatable but certain facts remain indisputable. #JohnBrown

                  Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut in May of 1800 into a strict Calvinist family. At the age of 12 he was charged with driving a herd of cows to Michigan. He stayed with a man and his young slave boy and was appalled when the man openly used an iron shovel to brutally beat the boy. Brown was so moved that he spoke of the incident for the remainder of his life. On November 7, 1837 publisher Elijah Lovejoy, known for his antislavery newspaper, was shot to death by a throng of men protesting his stance. At his funeral service Brown swore he would end slavery. .org

                  Harper’s Ferry was chosen as the site of the insurrection because of its ideal location as the doorway to the South. It was at that time in Virginia, now West Virginia, at the juncture of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, bordered by Maryland and Virginia and only a few miles from Pennsylvania and the Mason-Dixon Line. 

                  Robert Harper settled there in 1734 and began a ferry service.  George Washington purchased the site from the Harpers in 1796 and established a federal armory and eventually a rifle factory. It was there that on October 16, 1859 Brown led 21 men, 5 blacks and 16 whites on an ill-fated raid. Brown was captured, then tried in Charles Town and on November 2, 1859, after a 45-minute deliberation, was sentenced to death. He was hung on December 2^nd  for treason, murder and leading a slave insurrection. Harper’s Ferry is now a national park and is open year-round. nps.gov/hafe

                  Brown spent much his planning and organizing time in Washington County. On June 30, 1859 he and three of his sons registered in The Washing Hotel on Washington Street in Hagerstown and was given room 6. The hotel was located on the National Road. He signed in as I. Smith, an alias he often used. The hotel burned down in 1879 and was replaced by the Baldwin House. It is currently owned by the University of Maryland. 

                  The. Washington County Regional Library has a collection of primary and facsimile documents in the Maryland Room. The jewel of the collection is the original hotel registry.

                  Chambersburg, PA, not in Washington County, is approximately 60-miles from Hagerstown. Brown would meet abolitionists and other potential allies in a rock quarry for safety and secrecy. On August 16, 1959 he met with Frederick Douglas. Douglas declined to join in the plot. 

                  Brown moved from the hotel to a rental property 5-miles from Harper’s Ferry on July 3^rd. The Kennedy Farm was his last home. The owner, John Brien, died intestate and as the family attempted to settle the estate. The family leased the grounds and cabin to Isaac Smith to house his cattle. The cabin became known as John Brown’s Raid House and the men began to gather to plan and stockpile weapons. Two of John’s daughters joined him there to give the neighbors the appearance of family living there. His “soldiers” stayed inside all day to allay suspicion. After his death some personal papers were found that better explained his plan as well as listed some names of his conspirators. #KennedyFarm

                  

        By the 1940s the farm was less well for wear. The Black Elks purchased 235-acres of the property in order to interpret, preserve and protect Browns legacy. In order to help fund their efforts they began to use a concrete building in the rear as an entertainment space. For the next fifteen years it served as a venue on the Chitlin Circuit. There was space for More than 450 people and the party began at 9 PM after performers played the integrated clubs in nearby DC and Baltimore. Every major black artist came through the farmhouse, Cab, Aretha, Tina, Patti, B. B., Jacksons 5, Marvin, Lena, Smokey, etc. #washingtoncountymd

                  John Brown’s death served as a mirror and a match. He wanted America to see that slavery was an ill that could be cured. Barring that, he wanted to precipitate an armed ideological war with as little bloodshed as possible. The Civil War, begun in April of 1861, resulted in a loss of 620,000 soldiers.