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The branded hand of Captain Jonathan Walker
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Choose an alternate description of this item written for these projects:
- Witness to America's Past
- MHS Collecting History
- Main description
[ This description is from the project: MHS 225th Anniversary ]
Capt. Jonathan W. Walker was an ardent abolitionist who was convicted and sentenced for attempting to assist seven freedom seekers in 1844. His hand was branded with the letters "SS" for "slave stealer," as shown in this daguerreotype photograph by Southworth and Hawes. The reverse image, consistent with the daguerreotype process, depicts Walker's right hand.