Romulus Hall (George Weems)
First recorded Underground Railroad death in the region “I am glad I escaped from slavery.”
(1807 – 1857)
The death of Romulus Hall, also known as George Weems, was the first recorded Underground Railroad death in the region. Before his death at age 50, Romulus was one of 70 enslaved people at a large farm business in Benedict, Charles County, Maryland, owned by John Surthern (Sothoron)
In the early spring of 1857, after enduring daily “flogging” and abuse by Suthern and his overseers, Romulus and his friend Abram Harris, decided to escape to Canada. In less than nine days, Romulus reached Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but he was suffering from starvation and frostbite. The Vigilance Committee, a group that assisted freedom seekers escaping slavery on the Underground Railroad, cared for Romulus until he succumbed to his illness.
Prior to his death, and in a near unconscious state, the Vigilance Committee Chairman was anxious to hear Romulus’ testimony regarding his escape. The Chairman asked Romulus that considering his condition and the fact that he did not reach his destination, was he sorry that he escaped.
Initially, Romulus didn’t answer so the Chairman attempted to leave the room. Romulus than responded by saying, “don’t go, I have not answered your question. I am glad I escaped from slavery.” Romulus went on to say that what he had suffered during his journey and illness wasn’t nearly as bad as his treatment at the farm as a slave.
Romulus was buried in the Lebanon Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Additional Resources
Death of A Romulus Hall. Death of Romulus Hall. – NYPL Digital Collections
The free media repository, William Still’s The Underground Railroad, p.53.William Still, clerk for the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society for fourteen years, publishes an account of the Underground Railroad based on his personal notes. The Underground Rail Road : William Still : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Engravings by Bensell Schell, and others.” Death of Romulus Hall — New Name George Weems”.*CCO – Creative Commons (CC0 1.0). This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.
Book illustration, The Death of Romulus Hall. New York Public Library, https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47df-7999-a3d9-e
