The Branded Hand
The Branded Hand of Captain Jonathan Walker
Daguerreotype photograph by Southworth & Hawes, 1845
Visible image: 6.5 cm x 5.5 cm; in half-case: 8 cm x 9.5 cm
This dramatic photograph depicts the letters "S.S.," for slave stealer, branded on the hand of abolitionist Capt. Jonathan W. Walker. In 1844, Walker attempted to assist seven escaped slaves by sailing them from Florida to the West Indies. He became ill and his crew was untrained in sailing, so they were "rescued" by a pro-slavery sloop that took them back to Florida. The slaves were returned to their masters, and Walker was arrested. He spent one year in solitary confinement, paid $600 in fines, and received this brand on his hand. The event did not deter Walker's efforts and he spent many more years traveling the country to lecture on abolition. The photograph, taken by the prominent Boston daguerreotype studio of Southworth and Hawes, is a reverse image; although Walker's right hand is depicted, the mirror image that is produced on glass makes it look like it is his left.
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