Thomas Garrett (New York Times)

Thomas Garrett, one of the original abolitionists years ago, celebrated for the zeal and success with which he assisted fugitive slaves to make their way to Canada, died at his residence in Wilmington, Del., on Tuesday night. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and at an early age conceived an intense hatred for the institution of human slavery. When he grew to manhood he gave practical expression to his sympathy for the bondmen of the South by aiding them, whenever it was in his power, to escape from the reach of their masters, who were aided in the attempt to recover their human property by the whole power of the United States Government. He regarded the Fugitive Slave law as in no way binding upon him, and suffered many persecution in consequence of his disregard of its requirements. His house was surrounded by a mob, on several occasions, when a trembling fugitive was under his roof, and his business as a hardware merchant was at one time almost broken up and his worldly prospects nearly ruined. He never flinched, however, for a moment to carry out his avowed principles, and in latter times he was cheered by returning prosperity, and his last years were serene and attended by the esteem of his fellow citizens. Mr. Garrett was for many years an officer of the American Anti-Slavery Society, and always advocated woman’s rights and other radical movements. He was eighty-two years of age at the time of his death.