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Captain '''Jonathan Walker''' ([[1799]]-[[1878]]) was a carpenter and shipwright who aided the escape of seven Pensacola [[Slavery|slaves]], for which he was imprisoned in the city's [[calabozo]] and his hand branded "SS" (for "slave stealer"). After his release he became a champion for the abolition movement.
Walker lived with his family in Pensacola from 1936 1836 until 1841, then returned to his native Massachusetts "because he would not bring up his children among the poisonous influences of slavery."<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/brandedhand/flyer.html Flyer advertising Walker's appearances]</ref> He traveled to [[Mobile]] in [[1843]] to engage in the ship-wright trade.
On [[June 2]], [[1844]], he sailed to Pensacola aboard his own vessel, intending to raise a copper-laden wreck, and arrived on [[June 4]]. After touring the area, he met several men "that were disposed to leave the place. I gave them to understand that if they chose to go to the Bahama Islands in my boat, I would share the risk with them." Seven slaves left with Walker on [[June 22]]:
