Robert Brown, a fugitive slave from Virginia, arrives in Philadelphia after crossing Potomac on horseback

Robert Brown, a daring fugitive slave from Martinsburg, Virginia, arrived at the Philadelphia Vigilance Committee offices on New Year's Day after crossing the Potomac River by horseback and entering Pennsylvania via Harrisburg. Philadelphia Vigilance Committee leader William Still wrote that 38-year-old Robert Brown "stands second to none, with regards to deeds of bold daring." (By Matthew Pinsker)