“Details the brazen robberies, shameless kidnappings and heartless murders committed by Delmarva’s legendary criminal.”—Cape Gazette
Truth lies behind the grim legend of Patty Cannon. In the early nineteenth century, Patty and her gang terrorized the Delmarva Peninsula, kidnapping free African American men, women and children. Using surprise and treachery, Cannon even employed a free African American accomplice to lure her unsuspecting prey. Captives who survived confinement in Patty’s cells were sold south. The position of the Cannon home on the shadowy border between Delaware and Maryland allowed her to dodge the law until a local farmer unearthed the remains of her victims in 1829. Patty mysteriously died in jail awaiting trial. Author Michael Morgan investigates the chilling history of one of the nation’s first serial killers.
Michael Morgan has been writing freelance newspaper articles on the history of Delaware and Maryland for over three decades. His columns appeared in Maryland Beachcomber, the Maryland Times Press and the Delaware Coast Press, among other publications. His "Lore of Delmarva" weekly radio commentary is broadcast by station WGMD 92.7. Morgan is the author of seven books with The History Press including, Bethany Beach: A Brief History, Hidden History of Lewes and Civil War Delaware.