In the Margins

Deep in the Great Dismal Swamp, thousands of Black people created a hidden free society, one that defied slavery for centuries. This is the story of the rebels who turned a swamp into a sanctuary.

In The Margins is a series that covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.

One hot, mosquito-filled summer, less than a decade after the birth of the US, yellow fever brought the capital city to the brink of collapse. As the Founding Fathers fled to safety, a small community of essential workers stepped up. Who are these unsung heroes, and how did Philadelphia bounce back?

Decades before abolition, enslaved people sued for their freedom in court and won. But today, the only freedom suit most people are familiar with is the case of Dred Scott. So why don't we know more about these early lawsuits? From Massachusetts to Missouri, the history of freedom suits is more complicated than you might think.