Right to Recapture Fugitive Slaves vs. Struggle for Social Justice: Illuminating American History through Regional History
By Milt Diggins
The narratives presented occurred in the Philadelphia – Wilmington – Baltimore corridor, and offer a close up view of slave catching and kidnapping that adds insight into how this issue contributed to the sectional hostility leading to Civil War. I had decided to build the narrative outward, using Thomas McCreary and his community as the framework for examining the issue of slave catching and kidnapping. This unique approach enabled a closer view of multiple perspectives held by those caught up in the animosity and violence. The addition of McCreary’s community provided additional depth to the story.