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What are the traits of a hero to you? To me a hero is someone that is always there for you and will risk their life to protect others. My hero is Thomas Garrett. I picked Garrett because he was always there for the Black Slaves that were trying to run from their owners. He would risk his life to protect the slaves from people that were trying to find them. In this essay, I will prove that Thomas Garrett was a 19th Century Hero.

Garrett was born on August 21, 1789, in Pennsylvania. Garrett was one of the leaders in the Underground Railroad. He was the last stop on the journey out of the state to a lifetime of freedom. He was so powerful that he didn't even have to hide the slaves. Even though people new he was involved in the Underground Railroad, they wouldn't say or do anything about it. This was very important, because if he hadn't helped these slaves, or done something to help them towards there journey to freedom, they might have been killed. I believe Garrett did this because he truly believed that slavery was wrong. So, Garett did all that he did trying to fix it. SOURCE []

In 1848 Garrett and another Quaker, John Hunn were tried in a court and found guilty for helping the Hawkin's family escape from their owners. They were both found guilty and Garrett was fined 4,500 dollars. So he put his house down for collateral until his debt was paid. In doing this he save an entire families life while risking his own and all that he owned. Even though Garrett was found guilty and he risked his house, he didn't stop there. SOURCE []

Garett went on and later befriended Harriet Tubman. He helped her rescue many slaves as well as her own family members. Even though her parents were free at the time, her father was going to be arrested for secreting runaway slaves. Garret was often giving them money for clothes and food as well as shoes for their long journey. He also provided a means for them to escape. SOURCE []

Many people did not like Thomas Garrett, such as the Constables. They would all surround his house waiting for the Black Slaves to come out. Garrett was a very clever man and would dress them up in fine clothing and parade them right in front of the constables. Slave owners probably despised him the most. He was taking away their work force and their livelihood according to them. They considered this stealing and the fact that he was difficult to catch really angered them.

His legacy is that he has saved so many slaves lives. If they had died as slaves and did not escape to freedom, many families would not have continued. The slave’s children would not have been born and they wouldn't have had children etc. That is what I believe is Thomas Garrett's legacy.

Today if you saw someone being bullied or treated unjustly, Thomas Garrett would want you to stand up against that bully or person that is doing the unjust act, and do what is right or correct and help your fellow man. He would encourage you to see those for their personal attributes and not the color of their skin or the outside appearance. He would also advise you to think of a creative and clever way to get around or conquer any problem.