Finding freedom in the Great Dismal Swamp

Today the Great Dismal Swamp is a National Wildlife Refuge that straddles Virginia and North Carolina, covering more than 133,000 acres and including some of the most important ecological sites in the United States.

In 1829, the area had already gained its name but it was not thought of in a positive way — except by slaves who managed to escape the cruelty of bondage and were able to enter the confines of the Great Dismal Swamp with the chance to disappear.

Getting to the swamp was not a guarantee of safety, as bounty hunters could still be expected to follow those who entered. But hiding spots were plentiful and searching was difficult while getting utterly lost was easy.

Many slaves managed to live for years in the swamp. Their existence was not pleasant, but it was better than being a slave.

Two brothers named Henry and Zango escaped from slave owner Baker Wiggins from a plantation in South Carolina and were — according to Baker — bound to be heading toward the Great Dismal Swamp. There were no last names provided for either man.

Wiggins said Henry had been there before when he had previously escaped slavery, which he had done more than once.

The swamp was a place where Henry managed to stay free for two years but it was by no means safe. While there he was shot between the shoulders. He carried wounds from that attack when Wiggins got him back.

The jail where he was held was no safer than the swamp, though. Henry had a large bald spot on his head where he had been hit with a hot shovel while imprisoned there.

Wiggins said it was Henry who enticed Zango to escape. Less is known of Zango, other than Wiggins said he had a bad countenance and that when he was frightened or angry he looked “dreadful.”