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
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Tumbling Tumbleweeds
Why would writing this song be bad for Bob Nolan?
-
Related Investigation
Nora Holt Autograph Book
Why did this Harlem Renaissance luminary own a book filled with U.S. Presidents' signatures?
-
Related Investigation
Fiery Cross
What is the story behind this record?
-
Also in Season 1
Railroad Station
Is a disused depot the first railroad station in Texas?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Red Hand Flag
Is this peculiar flag one that African-American soldiers marched under in the war to end all wars?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
GAR Photograph
How did two African Americans come to be part of this photograph in Reconstructionist-era America?
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 CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (2 weeks ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (8 months ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (2 weeks ago)