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General Note

Accompanying note: "When about to be branded, I was placed in the prisoner's box. The marshal, Ebenezer Dorr, formerly of Maine, proceeded to tie my hand to a part of the railing in front. I remarked that there was no need of tying it, for I would hold still. He observed that it was best to make sure, and tied it firmly to the post, in fair view; he then took from the fire the branding-iron, of a slight red heat, and applied it to the ball of my hand, and pressed it on firmly, for fifteen or twenty seconds. It made a spattering noise, like a handful of salt in the fire, as the skin seared and gave way to the hot iron. The pain was severe while the iron was on, and for some time afterwards. There appeared to be but few that wised to witness the scene; but my friend, George Willis, placed himself where he could have a fair view, and feasted his eyes upon it, apparently with great delight."

Biographical Note

Jonathan Walker was an abolitionist trialed and sentenced in 1844 as a slave stealer following his attempt to help seven runaway slaves find freedom. He was subsequently confined to a pillory for one hour, branded "SS" on his right hand by the United States Government and remanded to prison for 15 days. Sympathizers preferred to interpret SS as "slave savior".