Support provided by:
The Case:
Could a Maryland family's home once have been the headquarters for the kidnapper and slave trader Patty Cannon, coined "the most wicked woman in America?"
Legend has it that she was a villainous woman who stole slaves and kidnapped free African-Americans.
1808: Congress makes it illegal to import slaves from Africa. This leads to a huge labor shortage in the South, and slaves become a lucrative trade.
Reliance, Maryland had more free blacks than anywhere else in the country, and soon they risked being kidnapped, smuggled across the Mason-Dixon line and sold into slavery in the South.
For anyone wanting a piece of this illegal, but lucrative trade, Reliance was the perfect place to set up shop.
Now the History Detectives team investigates to see if they can prove once and for all that this is in fact the former home of Patty Cannon.
Will they be able to draw long-sought-after conclusions or will the mystery remain?
Related Content
Technique:
Technique:
Feature:
Feature:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Whaling Ship
Might a ship docked in Mystic Seaport, hold secrets to the Underground Railroad?
-
Related Investigation
Chandler Tintype
How did this Civil War era tintype help re-ignite a fiery debate about African Americans bearing arms for the confederacy?
-
Also in Season 1
Japanese House
How did a Japanese house come to be at the San Francisco World's Fair just months before WWII began?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Lafayette China
Did the Marquis de Lafayette give this china set to the popular wife of the Patriot Mayor?
-
Also in Season 1
Home of Lincoln Assassination Plot
Did the plot to assassinate Abraham Lincoln begin in this New York City building?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Connecticut Farmhouse
Why did this Connecticut farmhouse have so many owners in such a short space of time?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have an object from Expansion: 1801-1861? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentI am tremendously happy i have come across this particular website. (14 hours ago)
- TwitterHappy Birthday, Bob Dylan! 71-y o today. Our premiere episode explores the Dylan guitar that changed R&R history. July 17, 9p/8p C. Watch! (2 days ago)
- FacebookIt wasn't until I sat in a class taught by Inez Turley at Mesa Community College that the study of the past became a passion for me. Who was the teacher that inspired you? --Eduardo (2 days ago)