Philip Reid After Slavery

While the progress of the Statue of Freedom was interrupted by the Civil War, the life of Philip Reid was more seriously interrupted by the passage of the District of Columbia Emancipation Act of April 16, 1863. With one stroke of the pen, Philip was thrust from the womb of slavery out into the cold world called freedom. Philip was at once confronted by the uncertainties of avoiding re-enslavement by opportunistic bounty hunters roaming the streets of Washington; creating a foundry career as a free entrepreneur; and dealing with free relationships with two competitive Free Black women.