Lewis Sheridan Leary facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis Sheridan Leary
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| Born | March 17, 1835 |
| Died | October 20, 1859 (aged 24) |
| Resting place | North Elba, New York |
| Known for | Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Raid on Harpers Ferry |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Patterson |
| Children | Louisa |
Lewis Sheridan Leary (born March 17, 1835 – died October 20, 1859) was a brave African-American man. He was a harnessmaker from Oberlin, Ohio. Lewis Leary joined John Brown in his famous raid at Harpers Ferry. Sadly, he was killed during this important event.
Lewis Leary was married to Mary Patterson. Later, Mary married Charles Henry Langston. Their daughter became the mother of the famous poet Langston Hughes. This means Lewis Leary was the first husband of Langston Hughes's grandmother!
Contents
Early Life and Family
Lewis Leary was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His father was a harnessmaker who was born free, meaning he was never enslaved. Lewis Leary had a mixed background. His grandparents included an Irishman who fought in the American Revolution. They also had African and Native American roots.
His great-grandfather, Aaron Revels, also fought for American independence. Through this family line, Lewis Leary was a cousin to Hiram Rhodes Revels. Hiram Revels later became the first African-American to serve in the United States Senate. Lewis Leary's brother was John S. Leary, a politician and lawyer in North Carolina.
Fighting for Freedom
In 1857, Lewis Leary moved to Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin was a very active place for people who wanted to end slavery, known as abolitionists. There, he married Mary Patterson, who had graduated from Oberlin College.
Lewis Leary quickly became involved with the abolitionist movement in Oberlin. He later met John Brown in Cleveland, Ohio. John Brown was a strong leader who believed in fighting to end slavery.
The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue
In 1858, Lewis Leary took part in the Oberlin–Wellington Rescue. This was a daring event where people helped a runaway slave named John Price. U.S. Marshals had captured John Price to return him to slavery. But a group of abolitionists, including Leary, rescued him. They stopped him from being sent back to the South.
Lewis Leary was not one of the 37 men who were arrested for this rescue. This event showed how dedicated he was to the cause of freedom.
Joining John Brown's Raid
Lewis Leary was likely the first person from Oberlin to join John Brown's group. He left his wife Mary and their six-month-old daughter, Lois, at home. He traveled with John A. Copeland to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. There, they joined John Brown's small army.
The group planned a raid on Harpers Ferry. Their goal was to start a slave rebellion.
Death and Legacy
During the Harpers Ferry raid, Lewis Leary was badly wounded. He survived for about eight hours after John Brown's men were captured. During this time, he was treated well and was able to send messages to his family. His wife had not known about the raid beforehand. It is said that he bravely stated, "I am ready to die."
His body was first buried with seven other men killed in the raid. They were placed in a pit near the Shenandoah River. In 1899, his body was moved and reburied next to John Brown's grave. This is at the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in North Elba, New York.
Honoring the Heroes
A special service was held in Oberlin on December 25, 1859. It honored Lewis Leary, John A. Copeland, and Shields Green. Copeland and Green had been executed after being found guilty following the raid.
In 1865, after the American Civil War ended slavery, a monument was built in Oberlin. It was placed in Westwood Cemetery to honor these three men. In 1977, the monument was moved to Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
The monument's inscription says:
These colored citizens of Oberlin, the heroic associates of the immortal John Brown, gave their lives for the slave. Et nunc servitudo etiam mortua est, laus deo (And now slavery is also dead, praise be to God).
S. Green died at Charleston, Va., Dec. 16, 1859, age 23 years.
J. A. Copeland died at Charleston, Va., Dec. 16, 1859, age 25 years.
L. S. Leary died at Harper's Ferry, Va., Oct 20, 1859, age 24 years.
