The Underground Railroad

IS R

rd," and his master rather increased this notion by his severity, and especially by "threatening" to sell him. He had enjoyed, as far as it was expected for a slave to do, "five months of married life," but he loved slavery no less on this account. In fact he had just begun to consider wh

the poor fellow do? Slavery existed expressly for the

*

IAM

hasty and hazardous move, which resulted in finding himself on the U.G.R.R. The most serious regret William had to report to the Committee was, that he was compelled to "leave" his "wife," Catharine, and his little daughter, Louisa, two years and one month, and an infant son seven months old. He evidently loved them very tenderly, but saw no way by which he could aid them, as

*

HENRY

TED AND A SLAVE TRADER LOS

office, happened to have a knowledge of what had transpired, and thinking pretty well of Joseph, confidentially put him in full possession of all the facts in the case. For reflection he hardly had five minutes. But he at once resolved to strike that day for freedom-not to go home that evening to be delivered into the hands of his new master. In putting into execution his bold resolve, he secreted himself, and so remained for three weeks. In the meantime his mother, who was a slave, resolved to escape al

*

IDAN

E WOODS-ESCAPE

Brown of Portsmouth, Va. claimed Sheridan as her property. He spoke rather kindly of her, and felt that he "had not been used very hard" as a general thing, although, he wis

o Sheridan's mind, and among other questions, he began to ponder how he could get a ticket on the U.G.R.R., and get out of this "place of torment," to where he might have the benefit of his own labor. In this state of mind, about the fourteenth day of November, he took his first and daring step.

an almost hopeless state. There he could not consent to stay and starve to death. Accordingly he left and found another place of seclusion-with a friend in the town-for a pecuniary consideration. A secret passage was procured for him on one of the steamers running between Philadelphia and Richmond, Va. When he left his poor wife, Julia, she was then "lying in prison to be sold," on the simple charge of having been suspected of conniving at her husband's escape. As a

t station, with his face set towards Boston. He had heard the slaveholders "curse"

*

AND, ALIAS J

his old master as having treated him "pretty well," but he had an idea that his young master had a very "malignant spirit;" for even before the death of his old master, the heir wanted him, "Joe," sold, and after the old man died, matters appeared to be coming

other hand, Canada was looked upon as a very desirable country to emigrate to, and he concluded to make his way there, as speedily as the U.G.R.R. could safely convey him.

*

HOUSEHOLD LOSES AN AR

could wish, with abundance of leisure time at his command. His deportment was certainly very refined and gentlemanly. About fifty per cent. of Anglo-Saxon blood was visible in his features and his hair, which gave him no inconsiderable claim to sympathy and care. He had been to William and Mary's College in his younger days, to wait on young master James B.C., where, through the kindness of some of the students he had picked up a trifling amount of book learning. To be brief, this man was born the slave of old Major Christian, on the Glen Plantation, Charles City county, Va. The Christians were wealthy and owned m

ent, James and his old mother were handed over to her nephew, William H. Christia

d from him respecting his remarkable history, two o

didn't like his marrying into our family, who were considered very far Tyler's superiors." "On the plantation," he said, "Tyler was a very cross man, and treated the servants very cruelly; but the house servants were treated much better, owing to t

ve, and did not own himself. The frequent sad separations of such married couples (where one or the other was a slave) could not be overlooked; consequently, the poor fellow concluded that he would stand a bette

so commonly referred to by apologists for the "Patriarchal Institution." The Committee, feeling a deep interest in his story, and desiring great success to him in his Underground efforts to get rid of slavery, and at the same time possess himself of h

*

RY JOHNSON, JAMES

have made their way to Pennsylvania. $500 will be paid for the apprehension of either, so that we can get them again. The oldest is named Edward

eight inches, heavily made, aged nineteen years, has a ple

et seven inches; has a pleasant countenance, with a scar ab

aged about twenty-one years. The clothing not recollected. They had black frock coats and slouch hats with them. Any

ABETH

AS JO

RGROUND RAIL

ay afford some light to "Elizabeth Brown and Thomas Johnson

sided near Mill Green P.O., in Harford county, Md. "She was a very bad woman; would go to church every Sunday, come home and go to fighting amongst the colored people; was never satisfied; she treated my mother very hard, (said Ed.); would bea

arket-perhaps $1,700. With Edward, he testifies to the meanness of Mrs. Betsy Brown, as well as to his own longing desire for freedom. Being a fellow-ser

company with his brother and two cousins, leaving his parents in slavery, owned by the "Widow Pyle," who was also the owner of himself

s experience differed in no material respect from his brother's; was owned by the s

been kept in ignorance and bondage, seemed to have their eyes fully open to the wrongs that had been heaped upon them, and were singularly determine

t daily, and never failed to scan closely certain columns, illustrated with a black man running away with a bundle on his back. Many of these popular illustrations and advertisements were preserved, many others were sent away to friends

*

Y PR

OUT OF THE WINDOW A

rt time before he escaped, his master threatened to sell him south. To avoid that fate, therefore, he concluded to try his luck on the Underground Rail Road, and, in company with seven others-t

were taken, the betrayer remarking as they were going up, that they were "cold, but would soon have a good warming." On a light being lit they discovered the iron bars and the fact that they had been betrayed. Their liberty-loving spirits and purposes, however, did not quail. Though resisted brutally by the sheriff with revolver in hand, they made their way down one flight of stairs, and in the moment of excitement, as good luck would have it, plunged into the sheriff's private

The last enemy he spied was the sheriff in his stockings without his shoes. He snapped his pistol at him, but it did not go o

*

EL H

hirst for liberty. The cause of his escape was: "Worked hard in all sorts of weather-in rain and snow," so he thought he would "go where colored men are free." His master was considered the hardest man around. His mistress was "eight

*

S ELL

, and of a superb black complexion. He too had been owned by Richard Meredith. Against the betrayer, who was a black man, he had

rate efforts were made to recapture the fugitives, but a few friends there

arrett to Samuel Rhoads, may throw li

, 3d mo. 1

till they arrived; they were arrested and put in Jail there, with Tom's assistance, and some officers. On third day morning about four o'clock, they broke jail; six of them are secreted in the neighborhood, and the writer has not known what became of the other two. The six were to start last night for this place. I hear that their owners have persons stati

S GAR

m a colored conductor on the Road, in Delaware, who wrote as f

L., March

n that stops at my hous when she pases tow and throw yau. You don't no me I supos, the Rev. Thomas H. Kennard dos, or Peter Lowis. He Road Camden Circuit, this man led them in dover prisin and left them with a whit man; but tha tour out the winders and jump out, so cum back to camden. We put them throug, we hav to carry them 19 mils and cum back the sam night wich mak

AM BR

me to Tho

tion, succeeded in getting off safely. But how the betrayer, sheriff an

sting these passengers, for they had the t

*

MMA BROWN-JOSEPH A

OF HER CHILD-BOB ESCAPES FROM HIS MASTER,

owned a schooner, and would bring any kind of freight that would pay the most, was the conductor in this instance. Quite

did not profess to bring persons for nothing, except in rare instances. In this matter the Committee did not feel disposed to interfere direc

ld find one who was willing to risk aiding them. Thus, while the Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia especially neither charged

ain to help him. So when he had managed to lay by one hundred dollars, he willingly offered this sum to Captain B., if he would engage to deliver his wife into the hands of the Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia. The captain agreed to the terms and fulfilled his engagement to the letter. About the 1st of March, 18

loss of her speech for one entire month. But this little episode was not a matter to excite sympathy in the breasts of the highly

much more so than her mistress (Mrs. Reeves). Said Mary, "She being of a jealous disposition, caused me t

hope that her husband would soon follow her to Canada, inspired her with expectations that she

due time, forwarded her on to Queen Victoria's free la

March 1

nd hope that this may find yourself and Mrs. Still well, as this leaves me at the present. I will also say to you, that I

very well. you will give my Respect to your lady, & Mr & Mrs Brown. If you have not written to Petersbu

(old name

ances he had had but few privileges. Sundays and week days alike he was kept pretty severely bent down to duty. He had been beaten and knocked around shamefully. He had a wife, and spoke of her in most endearing language, although, on leaving, he did not feel at liberty to apprise her of his movements, "fearing that it would not be safe so to do." His four little children, to whom he appeared warml

er to prepare slaves for the market, it was usual to have them greased and rubbed to make them look bright and shining. And he went on further to state, that "females as well as males were not uncommonly stripped naked, lashed flat to a bench, and then held by two men, sometimes four, while the brutal trader would strap them with a broad leather strap." The strap being preferred to the cow-hide, as it would not break the skin, and damage the sale. "One hundred lashes would only be a common flogging." The separation of families was thought nothing of. "Often I have been flogged for refusing to flog others." While

of the danger. "Very well," said Robert, "to-day I will please my master so well, that I will catch him at an unguarded moment, and will ask him for a pass to go to a ball to-night (slave-holders love to see their slaves fiddling and dancing of nights), and as I shall be leaving in a hurry, I will take a grab from the day's sale, and when Slater hears of me again, I will be in Canada." So after having attended to all his disagreeable duties, he made his "grab," and got a hand full. He did not

to the interesting column containing the elegant illustrations of "runaway negroes," it was seen that the unfortunate Slater had "lost $1500 in North Carolina money, and also his dark or

ious ceremonies, read to them the advertisement relative to the "$1500 in N.C. money, &c.," and put the question to them direct: "Are you the ones?" "We are," they owned up without hesitation. The Committee did not see a dollar of their money, but understood they had

ded a short letter, announcing their arr

ARINE, Apr

from you and can get no account of them in the Post Office in this place, I am well and have got a good situation in this city and intend staying here.

o churches and societys here and some other institutions for our benefit. Be kind enough to send a few lines to

cts to Lady

H ROB

come, would be by telegraph, which they admitted was slightly dangerous, and without first greasing themselves, and then hanging on very fast, the journey might not prove altogether advantageous to them. This was wormwood and gall to the trader and oyster-house man. A most remarkable coincidence was that, about the time this letter was received in Richmond, the captain who brought away the three passengers, made it his business for some reason or other, to call at the oyster-house kept by the owner of Joe, and while there, this letter was r

*

NEALL, BENJAMIN R. FL

d directly from Washington, D.C. Nothing remarkable was discovered in

his freedom." For a long time this old story was clung to pretty faithfully by George, but his "old master hung on too long," consequently George's patience became exhausted. And as he had heard a good deal about Canada, U.G.R.R., and the Abolitionists, he concluded that it would do no harm to hint to a reliable friend or two the names of these hard places and bad people, to see what impression would be made on their minds; in short, to see if they were ready to second a motion

slave life, he acknowledged that he had not had it very rough as a general thing; nevertheless, he was fully persuade

at all," was the cause of his leaving. He left a brother and sister, belonging to Martin, besides he left two other sisters in bondage, Louisa and Letty, but his father and mother were both dead. Therefore, the la

from a life of bondage undertook three times the risk of failure that males were liable to, not to mention the additional trials and struggles they had to c

a common thing with slave-holders, Maria had found her owners hard to please, and quite often, without the slightest reason, they would threaten to "sell or make a change." These

Daniel and Maria, hurriedly rushed their good names

rday night, August 30, my negro man 'Daniel,' twenty-five y

e, bright mulatto. The above reward will be paid

the Vigilance Committee, and finally a warm reception in Canada, by which they were greatly pleased. Of Benjamin and Danie

E, C.W., Sep

orner of 4-1/2 and Pennsylvania Avenue. Mr. Dade is a slave, but a free dealer. You will please write to John Dade, in the care of Doct. W.H. Gilman, on behalf of Daniel Neale, but make use of the name of George Harrison, instead of Neale, and Dade will understand it. Please have John Dade direct the box by express to you in Philadelphia; he has th

s tr

M WI

, and make known to him that he is safe, and cheerful and happy. He desires his friends to know, through Dade, that he found Mrs

*

BOX

BY ADAMS

onnected with his marvelous escape from slavery in a box published widely through the medium of anti-slavery pap

, which doubtless have never

er, his case is no more remarkable than many others. Indeed, neither before

water and a few small biscuits. His mechanical implement to meet the death-struggle for fresh air, all told, was one large gimlet. Satisfied that it would be far better to peril his life for freedom in this way than to remain under the galling yoke of Slavery, he entered his box, which was safely nailed up and hooped with five hickory hoops, and was then addressed by his next friend, James A. Smith, a shoe dealer, to Wm. H. Johnson, Arch street, Philadelphia, marked, "This side up with care." In this condition he was sent to Adams' Express office in a dray, and thence by overland express to Philadelphia. It was twenty-six hours from the time he left Richmond until his arrival in the City of Brotherly Love. The notice, "This side up, &c.," did not avail with the different expressmen, who hesitated not to handle the box in the usual rough manner common to this class of men. For a while they actually had the box upside down, and had him on his head for miles. A few days b

gramme slightly in one particular at least to insure greater safety. Instead of having a member of the Committee go again to the depot for

t 107 North Fifth street, it needed of course no great discernment to foresee that a step of this kind was wholly impracticable and that a more indirect and covert method would have to be adopted. In this dreadful crisis Mr. McKim, with his usual good judgment and remarkably quick, strategical mind, especially in matters pertaining to the U.G.R.R., hit upon the following plan, namely, to go to his friend, E.M. Davis,A

of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and a long-tr

ON OF HENR

an." The difficulty which Mr. McKim had been so anxious to overcome was thus pretty well settled. It was agreed that Dan should go after the box next morning before daylight and bring it to the Anti-Slavery office direct, and to make it all the more agreeable for Dan to get u

office in due time. The witnesses present to behold the resurrection w

one of its oldest and ablest advocates in the darkest days of slavery and mobs, and always fou

ng aid to passengers, knew no limit. Ordinarily he could not too often visit these travelers, shake them too warmly by t

for many years dared to print such incendiary documents as anti-slavery papers and pamphl

nced. Mr. McKim rapped quietly on the lid of the box and called out,

u do, gentlemen?" The little assemblage hardly knew what to think or do at the moment. He was about as wet as if he had come up out of the Delaware. Very soon he remarked that, before leaving Richmond he had selected for his arriva

on Ninth street, where, it is needless to say, he met a most cordial reception from Mrs. Lucretia Mott and her household. Cloth

es Mott put one of his broad-brim hats on his head and tendered him the hospitalities of his yard as well

oble-hearted Smith who boxed him up was made to rejoice over Brown's victory, and was thereby encouraged to render similar service to two other young bondmen, who appealed to him for deliverance. But, unfortunately, in this attempt the undertaking proved a failure. Two boxes containing the young men alluded to above, after having been duly expressed and some distance on the road, were, throu

N-MEETING OF THE COLORED

nce of the N

, Saturday,

nd who was arrested and convicted, eight years ago, for boxing up two other slaves, also directed to Philadelphia, havin

eedom. From 1828 up to the day he was incarcerated, many had sought his aid and counsel, nor had they sought in vain. In various places he operated with success. In Richmond, however, it seemed expedient to invent a new plan for certain emergencies, hence the Box and Express plan was devised, at the instance of a few heroic slaves, who had manifested their willingness to die in a box, on the road to liberty, rather than continue longer under the yoke. But these heroes fell into the power of their enemies. Mr. Smith had not been long in the Penitentiary before he had fully gained the esteem and confidence of the Superintendent and other officers. Finding him to be humane and generous-hearted-showing kindness toward all, especially in buying bread, &c., for the starving prisoners, and by a timely note of warning, which had saved the life of one of the keepers, for whose destruction a bold plot had been arranged-the officers felt disposed to show him such favors as the law would allow. But their good intentions were soon frustrated. The Inqu

to was called to the chair, and Wm. Still was appointed secretary. The chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting. Having lived in the South, he claimed to know something of the workings of the oppressive system of slavery generally, and declared that, notwithstanding the many exposures of the evil which came under his own observation, the most vivid descriptions fell far short of the realities his own eyes had witnessed. He then introduced Mr. Smith, wh

ho was incarcerated over seven years in the Richmond Penitentiary, for doing an act

him to this city as a mart

him our gratitude for the good h

in his losses and sufferings in the

.

ifying to learn from him that he was no new worker on the U.G.R.R. But that he had long hated slavery thoroughly, and alt

who had remained faithful to him through all his sore trials and sufferings, he took his departure for Western New York, with a good conscience and an unshake

*

L. J.H. WHEELER'S SLAVES, JANE

ns that as they were not fugitives, but were brought into the State by their masters, they were entitled to their freedom without another moment's service,

hrough Philadelphia from Washington, one very warm July day in 1855, accompanied by three of his slaves, his high official equilibrium, as well as his assumed rights under the Constitution, received a terrible shock at the hands of the Committee. Therefore, for the readers of these pages, and in order to completely illustrate the various phases of the work of the Committee in the days of Slavery, this case, selected from many others, is a fitting o

to the New York Tribune, and an additional paragraph which may be requisite to throw light on a special point, which Judge Kane decided was concealed in the "obstinate" breast of Passmore Williamson, as said W

FROM THE NEW

nce of The N

, Monday, Ju

others, in relation to the slave case now agitating this city, and especially as the poor slave mother and her two sons have bee

following note was placed in my hands by a colored b

s possible-as there are three fugitive slaves here and they want

distinctly written as not to be understood by me,

he remarked that he could not go down, as he had to go to Harrisburg that night on business-but he advised me to go, and to get the names of the sla

for the wharf. To my surprise, however, when I reached the wharf, there I fo

ore having time for making inquiry some one said they had gone on board the boat. "Get their description," said Mr. W. I instantly in

oice uttered. In a second we were in their presence. We approached the anxious-looking slave-mother with her two boys on her left-hand; close on her right

collect. In reply I remarked: "Do they belong to you, Sir?" "Yes, they are in my charge," was his answer. Turning from him to the mother and her sons, in substance, and word for word, as near as I can remember, the following remarks were e

e frightened by your master-you are as much entitled to your freedom as we are, or as he is-be determined and you need have no fears but that you will be protected by the law. Judges have time and again decided cases in this city and State sim

E JOHNSON AND

te gentleman of genteel address, who seemed to take much interest in what was going on, remarked that they would have t

rward wished to return to her three children whom she left in Virginia, from whom it would be HARD to separate her. Furthermore, he diligently tried to constrain her to say that she did not want to be interfered with-that she wanted to go with him-that she was on a visit to New York-had children in t

er freedom, etc. When his eyes would be off of hers, such eagerness as her looks expressed, indicative of her entreaty that we w

the boys, at the same time taking hold of their arms. By this time the parties were fairly moving toward the stairway leading to the deck below. Instantly on their starting, the slave-holder rushed at the woman and

quite calmly. The mother and her sympathizers all moved down the stairs together in the presence of quite a number of spectators on the first deck and on the wharf, all of whom, as far as I was able to discern, seemed to look upon the whole affair with the greatest indifference. The woman and children were assisted, but not forced to leave. Nor were there any violence or threatenings as I saw or heard

st., and up Dock to Front, where a carriage was procured, the

s "a fool for crying so after 'Massa John,' who would sell him if

soon found hospitable friends and quietude. The excitement of the moment having passed by, the mother seemed very cheerful, and rejoiced greatly that herself and boys

en sold far away from her without hope of her seeing him again-she very naturally and wisely concluded to go to Canada, fearing if she remained in t

ncerning the character of her mast

e leaving Washington, coming on the cars, and at his father-in-law's in this city, a number of persons had told him that in bringing his slaves into Pennsylvania th

this city. To use Jane's own language, he was "on her heels every minute," fearing that some one might get to her ears the sweet music of freed

g Jane where he thought she would be pretty secure from "evil communications" from the colored waiters, and after giving her a double counselling, he made his way to the table; remained

son whom she ventured to trust, saying, "I and my children are slaves, and we want liberty!" I am not certain, but suppose th

and very positively, that there was not a particle of truth in what her master said on these points. The truth is she had not the slightest hope of freedom through

f genteel manners, chestnut color, and seems to possess, naturally, un

I am capable of doing, of Jane and the cir

STI

uch cannot be said in commendation. In the present case they acted nobly, whatever may be said of their general character, of which I

prudential reasons he took them to a temporary resting-place, where they could tarry until after dark; then they were invited to his own residence, where they were made welcome, and in due time forwarded East. Now, what disposition was made of them after they had left the wharf, while Williamson and Wheeler were discussing matters-(as was clearly sworn to by Passmore, in his answer to the writ of Habeas Corpus)-he Williamson did not know. That evening, before seeing the member of the Committee, with whom he acted in concert on the boat, and who had entire charge of Jane and her boys

en after they left the wharf, or as to what disposition had been made of them, in any way; except to ask simply, "are they safe?" (and when told "yes," he smiled) consequently, he might have been examined for a week, by the most skillful lawyer, at the Philadelphia bar, but he could not have answered other than he did in making his

e with a "chivalrous southern gentleman," while passing through Philadelphia with his slaves. Thus, to make an effective blow, all the pro-slavery elements of Philadelphia were brought into action, and matters looked for a time as though Slavery in this instance would have everything its own way. Passmore was locked up in prison on the flimsy pretext of contempt of court, and true bills were found against him and half a dozen colored men, charging them with "riot," "forcible abduction," and "assault and battery," and there was no lack of hard swearing on the p

Freedom-that every day he remained would make numerous converts to the cause of liberty; that Mr. Williamson was doing

they did, before the committing magistrate. Consequently, in the order of events, while Passmore was still in prison, receiving visits from hosts of friends, and letters of sympathy from all parts of the North

s of the slave, that no lack of pains and false swearing would be re

overwhelming the enemy in this particular issue. The Hon. Charles Gibbons, was engaged to defend Willi

face her master, and under oath to sweep away his "refuge of lies," with regard to her being "abducted," and her unwillingness to "l

sired. She entered the court room veiled, and of course was not known by the crowd, as pains had been taken to keep the public in ignorance of the fact, that she was to be brought on to bear witness. So that, at the conclusion of the second witness on the part of the defense, "Jane Johnson" was called for, in a shrill v

rk, City and Cou

eing sworn, mak

went back again; while he was at dinner, I saw a colored woman and told her I was a slave woman, that my master had told me not to speak to colored people, and that if any of them spoke to me to say that I was free; but I am not free; but I want to be free; she said: 'poor thing, I pity you;' after that I saw a colored man and said the same thing to him, he said he would telegraph to New York, and two men would meet me at 9 o'clock and take me with them; after that we went on board the boat, Mr. Wheeler sat beside me on the deck; I saw a colored gentleman come on board, he beckoned to me; I nodded my head, and could not go; Mr. Wheeler was beside me and I was afraid; a white gentleman then came and said to Mr. Wheeler, 'I want to speak to your servant, and tell her of her rights;' Mr. Wheeler rose and said, 'If you have anything to say, say it to me-she knows her rights;' the white gentleman asked me if I wanted to be free; I said 'I do, but I belong to this gentleman and I can't have it;' he replied, 'Yes, you can, come with us, you are as free as your master, if you want your freedom come now; if you go back to Washington

X mark.]

JOH

RE WIL

less as Wheeler's was. But although he was sadly confused and put to shame, he hung on to the "lost cause" tenaciously. And his counsel, David Webster, Esq., and the United States District Attorney, Vandyk

en this eloquent speech was made. With the District Attorney, Wm. B. Mann, Esq., and his Honor, Judge Kelley, the defendants had no cause to complain. Throughout the entire proceedings, they had reason to feel, that neither of these officials sympathized in the least with Wheeler or Slavery. Indeed in the Judge's charge and also in the District Attorney's closing speech the ring of freedom could be distinctly heard-much more so than was agreeable to Wheeler and his Pro-Slavery sympathizers. The case of Wm. Still ended in his acquittal; the other five colored men were taken up in order. And it is scarcely necessary to say that Messrs. Peirce and Birney did full justice to all concerned. Mr. Peirce, especially, was one of the oldest, ablest and most faithful lawyers to the slave of the Philadelphia Bar. He

of the New York Tribune touching Jane Johnson's presenc

e State officers swore he should not, and for a while it seemed that nothing could avert a bloody scene. It was expected that the conflict would take place at the door, when she should leave the room, so that when she and her friends went out, and for some time after, the most intense suspense pervaded the court-room. She was, however, allowed to enter the carriage that awaited her without disturbance. She was ac

nd was released on the 3d day of November the same year, having gained, in the estimation of the friends of

*

LS OF A SI

ONE ARRIVAL-GREAT PANIC AND INDIGNATION MEETING-INT

ef reference to each passenger. As they arrived in parties, their na

amper, Noah Ennells and Levin Parker

d of slaves and a farm, on which William served. He was used very hard, which was the cause of his escape, though the idea that he was entitled to his freedom had been entertained for the previous tw

ly of the opinion that every man should have his liberty. Four years ago his wife was "sold away to Georgia" by her young master; since which time not a word had he heard of her. She left three children, and he,

Canada." He fled from Henry Hooper, "a dashing young man and a member of the Episcopal Church." Left because

lowed drinking, chewing tobacco, catching 'runaways,' and hanging around the court-house." However, he owned six head of slaves, and had a "rough wife," w

of drinking, great to fight and swear, and hard to please." His mistress was "real rough; very bad, worse than he was as 'fur'

, and in every other respect was a very ordinary man. Nevertheless, he "owned twenty-five head," and had a wife and six children. Stebney testified that he had not been used hard, though he had been on the "auction-block three times." Left because he was "tired of being a servant." Armed with a broad-axe and hatchet, he started, joined b

make his escape, he might have been this day in the care of his kind-hearted master. But, because of this wayward step on the part of John, his master felt called upon to humble him. Accordingly, the captaincy was taken from him, and he was compelled to struggle on in a less honorable position. Occasionally John's mind would b

ia Bank. Until within the four years previous to Robert's escape, the cashier was spoken of as a "very good man;" but in consequence of speculations in a large Hotel in Portsmouth, and the th

d desired to cast their lot where husband and w

g aware that fifteen had left their neighborhood only a few days ahead of them, and that every slave-holder and slave-catcher throughout the community, were on the alert, and raging furiously against the inroads of the Underground Rail Road, they provided themselves with the following weapons of defense: three revolvers, three double-barreled pistols, three single-barreled pistols, three sword-canes, four butcher knives, one bowie-knife, and one paw.A Thus, fully resolved upon freedom or death, with scarcely provisions enough for a single day, while the rain and storm was piteously descending, fathers and mothers with children in their arms (Aaron Cornish had two)-the entire party started. Of course, their provisions gave out before they were fairly on the way, but not so

, four inches long, to be grasped wit

out five feet ten inches high, black, good-looking, rather pleasant countenance, and carries himself with a confident manner. He went off with his wife, DAFFNEY, a negro wo

er 25

D. Tr

s not allowed to come near his house, or to entertain any reasonable hope of getting any of his father-in-law's estate, nevertheless, scarcely had the old man breathed his last, ere the young preacher seized upon the inheritance, slaves and all; at least he claimed two-thirds, allowing for the widow one-third. Unhesitatingly he had taken possession of all the slaves (some thirty head), and was making them feel his power to the fullest extent. To Aaron this increased oppression was exceedingly crushing, as he had been hoping at the death of his old master to be free. Indeed, it was understood that the old man had his will made, and freedom provided for the slaves. But, strangely enough, at his death no will could be found. Aaron was firmly of the conviction that the Rev. Mr. Traverse knew what became of it. Between the widow and the son-in-law, in consequence of his aggressive

h in the community. One of Aaron's brothers, and others, had been sold South by him. It was on account of his inveterate hatred of his son-in-law, who, he declared, should never have his property (having no other heir but his niece, except his widow), that the slaves relied on his promise to f

ld by Samuel Pattison, Esq., a member of the Methodist Church, "a great big man," "with red eyes, bald head, drank pretty freely," and in the language of Joseph, "wouldn't bear nothi

istorical value. The writer was at great pains to obtain these interesting documents, directly after the arrival of the memorable Twenty-Eight; and shortly afterwards furnished

k, his teeth are very white, and is about five feet eight inches high. HENRY is about 22 years old, five feet ten inches high, of dark chestnut color and large front teeth. JOE is about 20 years old, about five feet six inches high, heavy built and black. TOM is about 16 years old, about five feet high, light chestnu

d $2,000 if taken out of the State; in either case to be lodged in Cambridge (Md.) Jail, so that

L PAT

er 26

ambrid

that my negro woman, SARAH JANE, 25 years old, s

.

ATTISON'

, Nov. 16

eeth, he stoops a little in his walk and has a downward look. Joe is about 20 years old, about five feet six inches high, heavy built, and has a grum look and voice dull, and black. Tom is about 16 years old about five feet high light chestnut coller, smart active boy, and swagers in his walk. Susan is about 35 years old, dark chesnut coller and stout built, speaks rather slow and has with her four children, three boys and one girl-the girl has a thumb or finger on her left hand (part of it) cut off, the children are from 9 months to 8 years old. (the youngest a boy 9 months and the oldest whose name is Lloyd is about 8 years old) The husband of Susan (Joe Viney) started off with her, he is a slave, belon

ryland and lodged in Cambridge or Baltimore Jail, so that I can get them or a f

g to a neighbor of mine ran off, for which a

hould need any information with regard to proving the negroes, before I could reach Philadelphia, you can call on Mr. Bu

SAML. P

high state of mental excitement that he was hardly in a condition for cool reflection, or he would have weighed the matter a little more carefully bef

say. But that there was a great slave hunt in every direction there is no room to doubt. Though much more might be said about the parties concerned, it must suffice to add that they

cured the freedom of his wife and six children; one child he was compelled to leave behind. Daniel belonged to Robert Calender, a farmer, and, "except when in a passion," said to be "pretty clever." However, considering as a father, that it was his "duty to do all he could" for his children, and that all work and no

h." Two of Nat's sisters and one of his brothers had been "sold away to Georgia by him." Therefore, admonished by threats and fears of having to pass through the same fiery furnace, Nat was led to consider the U.G.R.R. scheme. It was through the marriage of Nat's mistress to his present owner that he came into Muir's hands. "Up to the time of her death," he had been encouraged to "hope" that he would be "free;" indeed, he was assured by her "dying testimony that the slaves were not to be sold." But regardless of the promises and will of his departed wife, M

from The Cambridge Democrat

er a down look. When spoken to, replies quickly. She was well dressed, wearing a red and green blanket shawl, and carried with her a variety of clothing. She ran off in company with h

one-half of what she sells for if taken out of the County

e, Oct.

DER H.

-named negro man Nat, and delivery in

N M

, it seems but appropriate that Nat should be heard too; cons

June 10t

two boys I state above. I would like to hear from my mother sichy Ambie you will Please write to my mother and tell her that I am well and doing well and state to her that I perform my Relissius dutys and I would like to hear from her and want to know if she is performing her Reliss

gh and I feal interrested about my Brothers. I have never heard from them since I Left home you will Please Be Kind annough to atten

rs

AM

tions of the peculiar institution. He was armed with a formidable dirk-knife, a

Though she came with the Cambridge party, she did not come from Cambridge, but from Marshall Hope, Caroline County, where she had been owned by Charles Peters, a man who had distinguished himsel

Turner was a Virginian, and a regular slave-holder. His slaves were kept hired out by the year. As Jack had had but slight acquaintance with his New York owner, he says but very little about him. He was moved

Septembe

eters burg, saying that my wife would leave there about the 28th or the first September and that he would send her on by way of Philadelphia to you to send on to Montreal if she come on you be please to send her on and as there is so many boats coming here all times a day I may not know what time she will.

N S