Q 01/05

Which delivery service unknowingly carried Henry Box Brown in a sealed crate from slavery to freedom?

A) Wells Fargo

B) Pony Express

C) Adams Express

D) U.S. Post Office

Answer · why

C) Adams Express

Adams Express promised never to look inside the boxes it carried, which made it a favorite of abolitionists. The firm survives today as an investment ...

Q 02/05

To which free Northern city was Henry Box Brown's crate shipped, a rough journey of about 350 miles?

A) Philadelphia

B) New York City

C) Pittsburgh

D) Cincinnati

Answer · why

A) Philadelphia

Philadelphia was where antislavery activists waited to pry off the lid. One of them rapped on the wood first to check that the man inside was alive.

Q 03/05

Roughly how long was Henry Box Brown sealed inside his crate as it went by wagon, train and steamboat?

A) About one hour

B) About one day

C) About two weeks

D) About three months

Answer · why

B) About one day

About one day is the answer: Brown himself counted 27 hours. It was nearly longer: at one station the crate was almost left behind for want of room.

Q 04/05

What did the label on Henry Box Brown's crate claim was inside as it traveled north by rail and steamboat?

A) Glassware

B) Farm tools

C) Schoolbooks

D) Dry goods

Answer · why

D) Dry goods

Dry goods was the disguise Brown chose himself, an everyday cargo nobody would look at twice. The crate was about three feet long, and he stood five f...

Q 05/05

Which ordeal aboard the steamboat nearly killed Henry Box Brown, because handlers ignored the notice on his crate?

A) Being buried under cargo

B) Being left upside down

C) Being left in the rain

D) Being stored by the boiler

Answer · why

B) Being left upside down

Being left upside down made the veins in Brown's temples swell until he expected to die. Relief came when two tired passengers tipped the crate over t...