Thomas Sims
Encyclopedia
Thomas Sims was an enslaved African American
who escaped from slavery in Georgia
at age 17 and lived for a time in Boston, Massachusetts. He was arrested there under the federal Fugitive Slave Law
on April 4, 1851. Following a dramatic court trial, he was returned to his owner against the strong protests of abolitionists
. The federal government sent U.S. Marines to march Sims down the streets of Boston, to be taken away on a warship and transferred back to Georgia. Sims was sold to a new owner in Mississippi
, but escaped in 1863 and returned to Boston. The “Sims Tragedy” was a cause célèbre in the Massachusetts abolitionist
movement (see for instance, the references in Henry David Thoreau
’s Slavery in Massachusetts
) and drew sympathy from many northerners. Probably the most renowned fugitive slave case of the decade also occurred in Boston. Three years after Sims' arrest, Judge Edward G. Loring
ordered the fugitive Anthony Burns
back into slavery in Virginia. Another attempt was made by abolitionists as hundreds of whom poured onto the streets on various occasions in support of the fugitive. As in the case of Sims, Burns was also taken by U.S. Marines to a ship destined for Virginia, but by the time of Burns's deportation his cause had become so celebrated that 50,000 people watched federal officers take to the wharf. Within a year, Burns was back in Boston. African Americans had raised $1,300 to pay the price being asked for him.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
who escaped from slavery in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
at age 17 and lived for a time in Boston, Massachusetts. He was arrested there under the federal Fugitive Slave Law
Fugitive Slave Law of 1850
The Fugitive Slave Law or Fugitive Slave Act was passed by the United States Congress on September 18, 1850, as part of the Compromise of 1850 between Southern slave holding interests and Northern Free-Soilers. This was one of the most controversial acts of the 1850 compromise and heightened...
on April 4, 1851. Following a dramatic court trial, he was returned to his owner against the strong protests of abolitionists
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
. The federal government sent U.S. Marines to march Sims down the streets of Boston, to be taken away on a warship and transferred back to Georgia. Sims was sold to a new owner in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, but escaped in 1863 and returned to Boston. The “Sims Tragedy” was a cause célèbre in the Massachusetts abolitionist
Abolitionism
Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...
movement (see for instance, the references in Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, and leading transcendentalist...
’s Slavery in Massachusetts
Slavery in Massachusetts
"Slavery in Massachusetts" is an 1854 essay by Henry David Thoreau based on a speech he gave at an anti-slavery rally at Framingham, Massachusetts, on July 4, 1854, after the re-enslavement in Boston, Massachusetts of fugitive slave Anthony Burns....
) and drew sympathy from many northerners. Probably the most renowned fugitive slave case of the decade also occurred in Boston. Three years after Sims' arrest, Judge Edward G. Loring
Edward G. Loring
Edward Greely Loring was a Massachusetts judge who ignited controversy in Massachusetts and the North by ordering escaped slaves Thomas Sims and Anthony Burns to be returned to slavery under the federal Fugitive Slave Law of 1850...
ordered the fugitive Anthony Burns
Anthony Burns
Anthony Burns was born a slave in Stafford County, Virginia. As a young man, he became a Baptist and a "slave preacher"...
back into slavery in Virginia. Another attempt was made by abolitionists as hundreds of whom poured onto the streets on various occasions in support of the fugitive. As in the case of Sims, Burns was also taken by U.S. Marines to a ship destined for Virginia, but by the time of Burns's deportation his cause had become so celebrated that 50,000 people watched federal officers take to the wharf. Within a year, Burns was back in Boston. African Americans had raised $1,300 to pay the price being asked for him.