Thomas Garrett was a prominent white abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor in Pennsylvania who helped hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom, often at great personal risk.
Thomas Garrett (1806–1871) was a ferrier and abolitionist from Steamburg, Pennsylvania. He was a key conductor on the Underground Railroad, operating a network that included safe houses and vigilance committees. Garrett worked closely with free Black activists and Quaker abolitionists, helping over 500 enslaved people escape to freedom. He was arrested multiple times for his activities and faced significant threats from slaveholders. His home and workshop were used as staging points for escapes. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society and a vocal speaker against slavery.
