By Henrietta Duterte and the Underground Railroad
Henrietta Duterte and the Underground Railroad
A Pioneer in Trade and Freedom
Henrietta Bowers Duterte, a notable figure in 19th-century Philadelphia, was more than just a successful businesswoman; she was a quiet operative in the fight against slavery. Born into a free African-American family, Henrietta initially established herself as a skilled tailor, crafting fashionable capes, coats, and cloaks for the city’s affluent population. This early success demonstrated her sharp business acumen and financial independence.
The Undertaking Business: A Covert Operation
In 1852, at the age of 35, Henrietta married Francis Duterte, a local craftsman and native of Haiti who specialized in making coffins. This union marked the beginning of a unique business partnership and a critical chapter in her life. Together, they ran the undertaking business.
Francis Duterte was deeply committed to social justice, actively participating in the Moral Reform Retreat, a local organization dedicated to the abolition of slavery and the advancement of equal rights for women. It was through this shared commitment to the abolitionist cause that the Dutertes’ undertaking business found a dual purpose.
The Role of the Coffin in the Underground Railroad
It is a significant, yet often overlooked, part of history that Henrietta Bowers Duterte used her funeral business to aid enslaved people seeking freedom. By utilizing coffins and funeral carriages, she provided a unique and effective means of escape. A hearse traveling through the city or across state lines was far less likely to be searched or questioned by authorities than a typical wagon or carriage. The containers meant for the dead became vessels for the living, carrying those escaping bondage to safety and freedom.
A Lasting Legacy
While Henrietta and Francis faced the heartbreak of losing their own children in infancy, their legacy endures through the many lives they touched and saved.
Henrietta Duterte’s exceptional business longevity and success were evident upon her passing in Philadelphia on December 23, 1903. Her substantial estate included:
The operational undertaking business.
The necessary fleet of hearses and carriages.
Horses.
Burial lots across four different cemeteries.
Multiple houses.
The business continued its operations after her death, managed by her nephew until 1927, cementing the Duterte name in the history of both Philadelphia commerce and the Underground Railroad.
