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My name
is Wilfred Cummings. But for many years, I was also known as Elijah Osborne
by those with whom I worked on the underground railroad. This pathway to
freedom, which relied on the humanity and hard work of many, helped slaves
escape from the South to the Northern states and to Canada.
In the 1850's, before the Great War Between the States began, I was a successful free black merchant in Baltimore. Yet during this time, I, like many other Americans, black and white, defied the laws of our country to help right the great wrong of slavery.
My work on the underground railroad was the greatest experience of my
life, and for no other work do I hold greater pride. I speak of these
things now so that my family - and history - will not forget the many
who devoted their lives to the underground railroad and to the great cause
of abolition.
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