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John Brown’s Birth
John Brown was born in Torrington, Connecticut and was raised by his father, who hated slavery. -
Brown is Scarred
At age 12, Brown witnesses a black boy being beat. This event haunts him for the rest of his life. -
John Brown Marries
John Brown marries his first of a few wives he will have during his lifetime. John Brown will be a father of 20 children during his life. -
Problems with Money and People
Brown at age 42 filed for bankruptcy and had more than 20 lawsuits filed against him. -
Frederick Douglass meets with Brown
They met in Springfield, Massachusetts. Douglass stated about the meeting that "though a white gentleman, [Brown] is in sympathy a black man, and as deeply interested in our cause, as though his own soul had been pierced with the iron of slavery." It was at this meeting that Brown first outlined his plan to Douglass to lead a war to free slaves. -
The League of Gileadites
John Brown helped establish the League of Gileadites, a orgonization that worked to help protect escaped slaves from slave catchers. -
Pottawatomie Massacre
Bown and five of sons went on a night time raid where, five men were dragged out of their cabins and hacked to death. -
Brown's Plan
Brown met with his followers in the free black community of Chatham, Ontario. He proposed that to provoke a black insurrection through raiding a federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry. -
Preparation for Raid
Brown bought a farm near Harpers Ferry, to build up an arsenal of guns and prepare for the raid. -
Raid at Harpers Ferry
Bown and 21 other men, 5 blacks and 16 whites, raided a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. His raid failed and was captured. 36 of Brown's men were captured or killed. -
Virginia v. John Brown
Brown's trial was held in Virginia. The state of Virginia wanted to prosecute Brown for his involvement in a raid on a federal armory at Harpers Ferry. He was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. -
John Brown's Death
John Brown was hanged and killed.
