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. Vigilance committee planner of the rescue; tried in 1853 but the case ended in a hung jury.
