WebRobert Smalls' extraordinary ability as a sailor led the Confederacy to choose the African-American as pilot for its gunship Planter, but Smalls' quest for freedom compelled him to commandeer the ship after its white officers had left it in the hands of its African-American sailors. He safely navigated the ship out of the harbor on May 13, 1862 ... WebMar 11, 2024 · Mr. Smalls was born to an enslaved woman, Lydia Polite, in 1839, on a plantation in Beaufort, S.C. As part of the Gullah community, made up of descendants of West African enslaved people, he grew...

Sailing to Freedom: The Story of Robert Smalls

WebAn icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Robert Smalls was born in 1839 to Lydia Polite, a woman enslaved by Henry McKee. She gave birth to him in a cabin behind McKee's house, at 511 Prince Street in Beaufort, South Carolina. He grew up in the city under the influence of the Lowcountry Gullah culture of his mother. His mother lived as a servant in the house but grew up in the fields. Robert was favored over other enslaved people, so his mother worried that he might grow up not understanding the plight of enslaved fie… smackin in house genetics

Robert Smalls - Life, Civil War & Facts - Biography

WebAug 25, 2024 · Robert Smalls was born a slave on John McKee’s plantation in Beaufort, South Carolina, on April 5, 1839. His mother, Lydia Polite, was a house slave and his … WebMar 9, 2024 · Robert Smalls was born into Gullah culture in South Carolina in 1839 to a woman named Lydia Polite. Though it is not clear who Smalls’ father was, his mother … WebNov 2, 2024 · Robert Smalls, an enslaved man who was related to his white slaveholder, made a daring escape to emancipate himself, his Black crew, and their families. At the beginning of the Civil War, he was hired as a crewman on … smacking women