Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo is the account of the enterprising quest for freedom by Ellen and William Craft. They left slavery in the south, became celebrities in the north and ultimately found freedom in England.
What sets their story apart is the manner in which they executed their getaway: Ellen dressed as a man accompanied by her slave, William, traveled by train and boat to free states. It helped that she was fair-skinned and her disguise allowed her to appear sickly; thus in need of William’s assistance.
Woo sets the scene for their daring escape by describing the lives they left behind, including patrimonies and their roles: Ellen as the property of wealthy landowners and William in bondage as a cabinet maker. Their fear of being caught is palpable, yet with each receding mile, glimmers of hope surface.
Once in the north, first Philadelphia and later Boston, they are revered and celebrated for their bold exodus. Here, however, is where the narrative loses steam. Woo mentions abolitionist after abolitionist, from Frederick Douglass to William Wells Bell, among numerous others. She also names the many individuals who harbored the Crafts. Despite their assistance, the threat of being caught and returned to the South never diminishes.
Realizing they’ll always be at risk, they continue their journey northward to Canada and finally, Halifax, where they board a ship bound for England.
Woo’s research is extensive and the Crafts’ story is an important one. However, there’s an abundance of unnecessary detail.
Master Slave Husband Wife
Three-and-a-half Bookmarks
Simon & Schuster, 2023
420 pages, includes Notes on Sources, Notes and Index
The Blue Page Special 
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