Hi all:

I recently joined the list serve.  I am a Visitor Services Specialist at
Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.  I am working on a nomination
of the Great Dismal Swamp to the National Park Service's Underground
Railroad Network.  I have found lots of information regarding the swamp and
some information referencing the canal.

Does anyone have any primary sources that would provide a link between the
Dismal Swamp Canal and the Underground Railroad?  I have heard that a Union
officer was using the canal to transport escaped slaves to port cities or a
camp, but I have no documentable source at this time.

The two I have so far are:
   Moses Grandy- a slave who, as a canal boatman, earned enough money to
   purchase his freedom.
   Frank- a slave owned by Joseph Banks, who ran away and was discovered
   working on a flatboat on the Dismal Swamp Canal.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Julie Rowand
Visitor Services Specialist
Great Dismal Swamp NWR
[log in to unmask]
757-986-3705

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