Fortunately, at the time he was at least saved from slavery by abolitionists who purchased him for $500 in gold and rushed him to Philadelphia to be reunited with his wife and children.”I pardon Samuel Burris for the crimes that he was convicted of,” Gov. Jack Markell said Monday to the applause of a standing-room only crowd at the Old State House in Dover.Some Burris’s descendants, including Pastor Ralph D. Smith, of Dover, participated to ceremony. The Governor Markell called Burris a hero for risking his own liberty in the fight to eradicate slavery: “He risked his life to ensure that others would be free as well.” A new roadside historical marker that was erected near Burris’ home in central Delaware.
