The Gwinns and the rest of the people formerly enslaved by Conway established two businesses, a laundry and a bakery in Georgetown.  By July, they were making a profit when Moncure Conway found them.  He then realized that African Americans, if free, could make a living for themselves.  Reportedly, those that had been enslaved by his father were overjoyed to see Moncure.  He said that he came there “to gather my people together.”  Some said he was indeed their Moses leading them to the promised land.

Conway took the formerly enslaved people on a perilous journey west.  Pretending he was their enslaver, he traveled with them by train to Yellow Springs, Ohio.