Biography
Defendant in the federal prosecutions following the October 1, 1851 Jerry Rescue in Syracuse, NY — when a multiracial mob of abolitionists broke fugitive William "Jerry" Henry out of federal custody during his Fugitive Slave Act extradition hearing and helped him escape to Canada. Twenty-six men were indicted; only Reed was convicted before the case effectively collapsed under jury nullification. Black participant — the only Jerry Rescue defendant convicted under the Fugitive Slave Act (1853, for resisting a federal officer). Died before his appeal could be heard.
