Shields Green was born circa 1836 in South Carolina, either as an escaped enslaved person or as a born freeman. He was known as a good shot, a person of few words, and described as short, athletic, and possessing curly hair.
Green spent approximately two years living with Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York. While there, he worked as a waiter, barber, and launderer. It was through Frederick Douglass that Shields met John Brown.
In August of 1859, Green accompanied Douglass on a trip to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania to meet with John Brown at an abandoned stone quarry. The spot was chosen as Brown had elected to make it the “staging ground” for his raid, due to the close proximity of the town to Harpers Ferry. Brown invited Douglass to join his planned raid, but Douglass declined. Shields Green, however, expressed interest and decided to go.
The goal of Brown’s raid was to capture Harpers Ferry and its armory and rifle factory, free all of the area’s enslaved people, and then begin a march south, freeing more people as they went. The operation began on the night of October 16, 1859. While they met little resistance in taking over the armory, Brown assumed he’d have more support from the residents around Harpers Ferry. When the help didn’t materialize, Brown and his band realized they were overwhelmed and the siege ended on the 18th.
Pre-raid, Shields was tasked with recruiting African Americans from the area around Harpers Ferry to join the effort. Once inside the “fort,” his role was to guard the hostages, including Col. Lewis Washington.
Green was the first African American raider to be tried. His attorney, George Sennott, argued to have the charge of treason dismissed because, owing to the Dred Scott decision, African Americans were not considered American citizens. Green, as with most accused criminals in Virginia, was not permitted to speak at his trial. The trial ended on November 5th and Shields was convicted of murder and inciting an insurrection of enslaved people. The sentence was death.
Two other raiders attempted to escape the jail, using a knife that Green had somehow acquired. He didn’t attempt to flee. Other than Brown, he was said to be the only one of the party who carried a Bible. The hanging took place on December 16th, 1859. Approximately 1,600 people were in attendance, as hangings were considered a form of entertainment at the time.
Green’s body was placed in a poplar coffin and buried, but within an hour, his remains were excavated by students from Winchester Medical School to be used for dissection and research. Although a pit of bones was found near the site of the school, which was burned by Union soldiers, there was no way to identify them and the resting place of Green’s remains is unknown.
Those interested in learning more about Shields Green or his fellow abolitionist John Anthony Copeland, Jr., may stop by the Charles Town Library beginning Tuesday, December 19th to view an exhibit in our vestibule.
Additionally, a vigil will be held on Saturday, December 16, at 11 am, organized by the American Legion Auxiliary Green-Copeland Unit 63 on the corner of Samuel and Hunter Streets to honor the legacies of Shields Green and John Anthony Copeland, Jr
– Leigh Koonce