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Episode details

Radio Newcastle,16 Dec 2025,13 mins

The escape of Mary Ann Macham

Secret North East

Available for over a year

In November 2025 a statue of a woman who fled slavery in 1830s America was unveiled in the fishing town in northern England where she found freedom. Mary Ann Macham spent weeks hiding in woods in Virginia before stowing away on a ship, eventually arriving, 4000 miles later in North Shields on Christmas Day. She was taken in by a Quaker family who documented the story of her escape when she was in her 60's. (audio voiced by Shanea N Taylor)

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