Its rare to find artifacts related to the history of slavery in this country. So these steel ankle shackles are unusual. And the fact that we know who wore them makes them especially valuable to us. These were presented to the Historical Society with a card that explained their history. Were told that they were around the ankles of a seventeen-year old girl named Mary Horn. She had been a slave of a man in Georgia named Judge Horn. The Civil War freed Mary, but she still lived and worked on Horns plantation. Then in 1866, a year after the war was over, Judge Horn placed these shackles on Mary to keep her from going to see her lover George, who lived on nearby plantation. George turned for help to some Union soldiers still stationed in Georgia led by Colonel William W. Badger of the 176th Regiment New York Volunteers. George begged Colonel Badger to free Mary from her shackles, and as the story goes he held her over an anvil while Badger cut them off. See the two round circles of steel? Notice there are open spaces in the circles. Thats where the shackles were riveted together. Colonel Badger then married George and Mary, and he told George to protect Mary, by force if necessary. Prophetic advice. Judge Horn went to jail for a year for re-enslaving Mary. But when he came home and tried to once again treat people like slaves, a riot broke out on his plantation. And George killed Judge Horn.
The New-York Historical Society is able to produce illuminating exhibitions, public programs, and make a priceless collection accessible to the public through the generosity of donations and membership. Help us make history matter by joining today. http://www.nyhistory.org/support