William Chaplin

Released
Date of birth:27. 10. 1796
Date of death:28. 04. 1871
Age:74† Deceased
Gender:Male
Race:White
Era:1800s
State:Maryland
Support
Abolitionism Underground Railroad
William Chaplin

Biography

William L. Chaplin was an Underground Railroad operative associated with the Liberty Party and the Albany Vigilance Committee. On August 8, 1850 his carriage — carrying two men escaping from enslavement by two Southern congressmen — was stopped in a gunfight by a posse at the DC–Maryland line. Arrested, he was imprisoned six weeks in Washington (released on $6,000 bond) and then thirteen weeks in Rockville, Maryland (released on $19,000 bond). He left the area, forfeiting the bonds, and never came to trial.

Case

Charges: Aiding the escape of two enslaved men (owned by Southern congressmen) — arrested.
Incarcerated: August 1850
Sentence: Imprisoned about six weeks in Washington and thirteen weeks in Rockville, Maryland, before jumping bail. Verdict as recorded: Never tried — he forfeited bail and fled after months in jail. Charges as recorded: Aiding the escape of two enslaved men (owned by Southern congressmen) — arrested after a gunfight at the DC–Maryland border, August 8, 1850.
Convicted: No

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