If a slave in New Orleans wanted to escape, they might aim to reach Upper Canada, the 'free' states, or Canada itself.
If a slave lived in New Orleans, LA, and wanted to try and escape, there were three main places they might want to reach:
- Upper Canada: Some enslaved individuals sought refuge in Upper Canada, which is now present-day Ontario. They could find support in places like the 'Fugitive's Home' near Sandwich.
- Free states: Many freedom seekers aimed to reach the 'free' states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York where slavery was prohibited. Cities like Philadelphia and Cincinnati were common destinations for escaped slaves.
- Canada: Some enslaved individuals went all the way to Canada, where slavery was abolished earlier than in the United States. They could find freedom in places like Toronto.