In the early to mid-19th century, Isaac Brown, a slave, was accused of the attempted murder of a prominent plantation owner, despite there being no evidence of his guilt. Brown, after enduring two brutal floggings, was shipped to a New Orleans slave pen. From there the resourceful Brown was able to make a daring escape to Philadelphia in the free state of Pennsylvania. His biggest error was writing a note informing his free wife and 11 children in Maryland of his whereabouts. The note was intercepted by his old master, which led to his arrest and attempted extradition back to Maryland. This aroused the ire of Pennsylvania's Black community and the Anti- Slavery Society who rallied to have Brown released from prison and secreted to Canada on the Underground Railroad.
While engaged in researching an ancestor named Isaac Brown, Bryan Prince encountered the very high-profile case of what turned out to be a different Isaac Brown. The story of this slave, with its culmination in Brown's dramatic escape and ultimate success in crossing the border into Canada, is the riveting subject of historian Bryan Prince's latest book.
"Once again, Bryan Prince, intrepid historian and masterful storyteller, brings to vibrant life the long forgotten story of Isaac Brown, a hunted fugitive slave and family man whose battle for freedom brought international attention to the injustices of an unbridled slave power. The husband of a free woman and the father of their eleven children, Brown’s sudden arrest for the attempted murder of his master – a crime he did not commit - his sale to New Orleans, his escape and later capture in Philadelphia, drew the ire of Pennsylvania’s anti-slavery vanguard. Marshalling the support of some of the most powerful abolitionists and brilliant legal minds in the United States at the time, Brown was cunningly liberated, and secretly whisked to freedom in Canada. Constantly vigilant against the possibility that the long reach of his master and the pro-slavery Governor of Maryland, determined to seek his re-enslavement, would find him, Brown changed his name to Russell and struggled to support his family. Drifting into obscurity in his later years, the legacy of Brown and his family’s pursuit of liberty and self determination in the face of extreme opposition is an inspiration and a reminder of the struggles of those who came before us, and whose memory we should never forget." Kate Clifford Larson, Ph.D. Author: Bound For the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero; and The Assassin's Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln.
"Bryan Prince is a masterful storyteller and local Author from North Buxton, Chatham Kent. “One More River To Cross” is the fascinating story of Isaac Brown, a hunted fugitive slave. The courage of Isaac Brown and his determination, along with his wife and children, is heart wrenching at times, but leaves you in suspense and awe at the end of each chapter. Informative for both its historical content and Prince’s storytelling style, “One More River to Cross” is worth the read." Biz X magazine
"Once again, Bryan Prince hits the mark. In One More River to Cross Bryan Prince gives us one more great story of an unsung hero. Prince is the consummate historian, continually uncovering exciting adventures of international connections of people of African descent. He is the voice of Afro-Canadian history in Ontario and a leading figure in the real Underground Railroad. His 30 year unquenchable thirst for answers to his ancestors is amazing. The number of sources Prince used, the number of experts he consulted, the geography he covered sleuthing out the story, and the years spent researching Isaac Brown is astounding. Whereas historians and genealogists are always looking for sources, following Prince’s journey through archives in Canada and the US reveal the voluminous sources that are available after continuously hitting brick walls and dead ends. With all the original sources that have not been digitized, Bryan’s journey continually reminds me of the fallacy of the “end of the paper trail.” " Tony Burroughs, FUGA. Author, Black Roots: A Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree
