Wallace Turnage facts for kids
Wallace Turnage (born in 1846, died in 1916) was a brave man who escaped from slavery. He wrote down his amazing story, which was finally shared with the world in 2007.
He was born in North Carolina. His mother was a fifteen-year-old enslaved woman, and his father was a white man. Wallace was sold to different owners many times. He tried to run away more than once, and eventually, he succeeded! After gaining his freedom, he lived in New York and New Jersey. He worked in various jobs, including as a waiter, a janitor, a glass blower, and finally as a watchman.
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Who Was Wallace Turnage?
Wallace Turnage was an African American man who lived during a very difficult time in American history, when many people were forced into slavery. His life story is important because it shows the strength and courage of those who fought for their freedom.
His Journey to Freedom
Wallace Turnage was born into slavery, which meant he was treated as property and not as a person. He was moved from one owner to another, but he never gave up hope of being free. He made several attempts to escape, showing incredible bravery each time.
The Great Escape of 1864
One of Wallace Turnage's most dramatic escapes happened in 1864, when he was 17 years old. He was owned by a merchant named Collier Minge in Mobile, Alabama. Wallace decided he had to be free.
He walked about 25 miles along the western shore of Mobile Bay. For three weeks, he survived in the Fowl River area, which is a place where a river meets the sea. Imagine how tough that must have been, finding food and staying hidden!
After that, he found a rowboat and paddled it into Mobile Bay. In late August 1864, he reached Fort Gaines, a Union Army fort, and there he was finally free. His escape was one of the most amazing stories of freedom for African Americans during the American Civil War. This was his fifth attempt to escape, and this time, he succeeded through his own courage and determination.
After gaining his freedom, Wallace Turnage moved to New York City. It was there that he wrote down his incredible life story. This handwritten story was very special and rare.
He passed his manuscript, or written story, down to his daughter, Lydia Turnage Connolly (1885 – 1984). After Lydia passed away, it took another 20 years for Wallace's story to be published.
In 2007, a historian named David W. Blight published a book called A Slave No More: Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom, Including Their Own Narratives of Emancipation. This book shared the personal stories of two men who escaped slavery: Wallace Turnage and John M. Washington. It was a big moment because it allowed many more people to learn about Wallace's amazing journey.
Remembering Wallace Turnage
Today, there is a special historic marker in Mobile, Alabama, that tells part of Wallace Turnage's story. It reminds everyone of his bravery and how he seized his own freedom. The marker is part of the African American Heritage Trail of Mobile, which helps people learn about important moments and people in African American history.
