The Underground Railroad
I had so often heard the minister preach 'servants obey your masters;'
also to the slave pens, chain-gangs, and a cruel master and mistress,
all of which I hoped to leave forever. But to bid good-bye to my old
mother in chains, was no easy job, and if my desire for freedom had not
been as strong as my desire for life itself, I could never have stood
it; but I felt that I could do her no good; could not help her if I
staid. As I was often threatened by my master, with the auction-block, I
felt I must give up all and escape for my life."
Such was substantially the story of Cornelius Henry Johnson. He talked
for an hour as one inspired, and as none but fugitive slaves could talk.
* * * * *
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
THEOPHILUS COLLINS, ANDREW JACKSON BOYCE, HANDY BURTON AND ROBERT
JACKSON.
A DESPERATE, BLOODY STRUGGLE--GUN, KNIFE AND FIRE SHOVEL, USED BY AN
INFURIATED MASTER.
Judged from their outward appearance, as well as from the fact that they
were from the neighboring State of Delaware, no extraordinary
revelations were looked for from the above-named party. It was found,
however, that one of their number, at least, had a sad tale of outrage
and cruelty to relate. The facts stated are as follows:
Theophilus is twenty-four years of age, dark, height and stature hardly
medium, with faculties only about average compared with ordinary
fugitives from Delaware and Maryland. His appearance is in no way
remarkable. His bearing is subdued and modest; yet he is not lacking in
earnestness. Says Theophilus, "I was in servitude under a man named
Houston, near Lewes, Delaware; he was a very mean man, he didn't allow
you enough to eat, nor enough clothes to wear. He never allowed a drop
of tea, or coffee, or sugar, and if you didn't eat your breakfast before
day he wouldn't allow you any, but would drive you out without any. He
had a wife; she was mean, too, meaner than he was. Four years ago last
Fall my master cut my entrails out for going to meeting at Daniel
Wesley's church one Sabbath night. Before day, Monday morning, he called
me up to whip me; called me into his dining-room, locked the doors, then
ordered me to pull off my shirt. I told him no, sir, I wouldn't; right
away he went and got the cowhide, and gave me about twenty over my head
with the butt. He tore my shirt off, after I would not pull it off; he
ordered me to cross my hands. I didn't do that. After I wouldn't do that
he went and got his gun. and broke the breech of that over my head. He
then seized up the fire-tongs and struck me over the head ever so often.
The next thing he took was the parlor shovel and he beat on me with that
till he broke the handle; then he took the blade and stove it at my head
with all his might. I told him that I was bound to come out of that
room. He run up to the door and drawed his knife and told me if I
ventured to the door he would stab me. I never made it any better or
worse, but aimed straight for the door; but before I reached it he
stabbed me, drawing the knife (a common pocket knife) as hard as he
could rip across my stomach; right away he began stabbing me about my
head," (marks were plainly to be seen). After a desperate struggle,
Theophilus succeeded in getting out of the building.
"I started," said he, "at once for Georgetown, carrying a part of my
entrails in my hands for the whole journey, sixteen miles. I went to my
young masters, and they took me to an old colored woman, called Judah
Smith, and for five days and nights I was under treatment of Dr. Henry
Moore, Dr. Charles Henry Richards, and Dr. William Newall; all these
attended me. I was not expected to live for a long time, but the Doctors
cured me at last."
Andrew reported that he fled from Dr. David Houston. "I left because of
my master's meanness to me; he was a very mean man to his servants,"
said Andrew, "and I got so tired of him I couldn't stand him any
longer." Andrew was about twenty-six years of age, ordinary size; color,
brown, and was entitled to his freedom, but knew not how to secure it by
law, so resorted to the Underground Rail Road method.
Handy, another of this party, said that he left because the man who
claimed to be his master "was so hard." The man by whom he had been
wronged was known where he came from by the name of Shepherd Burton, and
was in the farming business. "He was a churchman," said Handy, "but he
never allowed me to go to church a half dozen times in my life."
Robert belonged to Mrs. Mary Hickman, at least she had him in her
possession and reaped the benefit of his hire and enjoyed the leisure
and ease thereof while he toiled. For some time prior to his leaving,
this had been a thorn in his side, hard to bear; so when an opening
presented itself by which he thought he could better his condition, he
was ready to try the experiment. He, however, felt that, while she would
not have him to look to for support, she would not be without sympathy,
as she was a member of the Episcopal Church; besides she was an
old-looking woman and might not need his help a great while longer.
* * * * *
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
STEPNEY BROWN.
Stepney was an extraordinary man, his countenance indicating great
goodness of heart, and his gratitude to his heavenly Father for his
deliverance proved that he was fully aware of the Source whence his help
had come. Being a man of excellent natural gifts, as well as of
religious fervor and devotion to a remarkable degree, he seemed
admirably fitted to represent the slave in chains, looking up to God
with an eye of faith, and again the fugitive in Canada triumphant and
rejoicing with joy unspeakable over his deliverance, yet not forgetting
those in bonds, as bound with them. The beauty of an unshaken faith in
the good Father above could scarcely have shone with a brighter lustre
than was seen in this simple-hearted believer.
Stepney was thirty-four years of age, tall, slender, and of a dark hue.
He readily confessed that he fled from Mrs. Julia A. Mitchell, of
Richmond; and testified that she was decidedly stingy and unkind,
although a member of St. Paul's church. Still he was wholly free from
acrimony, and even in recounting his sufferings was filled with charity
towards his oppressors. He said, "I was moved to leave because I
believed that I had a right to be a free man."
He was a member of the Second Baptist church, and entertained strong
faith that certain infirmities, which had followed him through life up
to within seven years of the time of his escape, had all been removed
through the Spirit of the Lord. He had been an eye-witness to many
outrages inflicted on his fellow-men. But he spoke more of the
sufferings of others than his own.
His stay was brief, but interesting. After his arrival in Canada he
turned his attention to industrial pursuits, and cherished his loved
idea that the Lord was very good to him. Occasionally he would write to
express his gratitude to God and man, and to inquire about friends in
different localities, especially those in bonds.
The following letters are specimens, and speak for themselves:
CLIFTON HOUSE, NIAGARA FALLS, August the 27.
DEAR BROTHER:--It is with pleasure i take my pen in hand to
write a few lines to inform you that i am well hopeping these
few lines may fine you the same i am longing to hear from you
and your family i wish you would say to Julis Anderson that he
must realy excuse me for not writing but i am in hopes that he
is doing well. i have not heard no news from Virgina. plese to
send me all the news say to Mrs. Hunt an you also forever pray
for me knowing that God is so good to us. i have not seen
brother John Dungy for 5 months, but we have corresponded
together but he is doing well in Brandford. i am now at the
falls an have been on here some time an i shall with the help of
the lord locate myself somewhere this winter an go to school
excuse me for not annser your letter sooner knowing that i
cannot write well you please to send me one of the earliest
papers send me word if any of our friends have been passing
through i know that you are very busy but ask your little
daughter if she will annser this letter for you i often feel
that i cannot turn god thanks enough for his blessings that he
has bestoueth upon me. Say to brother suel that he must not
forget what god has consighn to his hand, to do that he must
pray in his closet that god might teach him. say to mr. Anderson
that i hope he have retrad an has seeked the lord an found him
precious to his own soul for he must do it in this world for he
cannot do it in the world to come, i often think about the
morning that i left your house it was such a sad feeling but
still i have a hope in crist do you think it is safe in boston
my love to all i remain your brother,
STEPNEY BROWN.
BRANTFORD, March 3d, 1860.
MR. WILLIAM STILL, DEAR SIR:--I now take the pleasure of writing
to you a few lines write soon hoping to find you enjoying
perfect health, as I am the same.
My joy within is so great that I cannot find words to express
it. When I met with my friend brother Dungy who stopped at your
house on his way to Canada after having a long chase after me
from Toronto to Hamilton he at last found me in the town of
Brantford Canada West and ought we not to return Almighty God
thanks for delivering us from the many dangers and trials that
beset our path in this wicked world we live in.
I have long been wanting to write to you but I entirely forgot
the number of your house Mr. Dungy luckily happened to have your
directions with him.
Religion is good when we live right may God help you to pray
often to him that he might receive you at the hour of your final
departure. Yours most respectfully.
STEPNEY BROWN, per Jas. A. Walk.
P.S. Write as soon as possible for I wish very much to hear from
you. I understand that Mrs. Hunt has been to Richmond, Va. be so
kind as to ask her if she heard anything about that money. Give
my love to all inquiring friends and to your family especially.
I now thank God that I have not lost a day in sickness since I
came to Canada.
Kiss the baby for me. I know you are busy but I hope you will
have time to write a few lines to me to let me know how you and
your family are getting on. No more at present, but I am yours
very truly,
STEPNEY BROWN, per Jas. A. Walkinshaw.
BRANTFORD, Oct. 25, '60
DEAR SIR:--I take the pleasure of dropping you a few lines, I am
yet residing in Brantford and I have been to work all this
summer at the falls and I have got along remarkably well, surely
God is good to those that put their trust in him I suppose you
have been wondering what has become of me but I am in the lands
of living and long to hear from you and your family. I would
have wrote sooner, but the times has been such in the states I
have not but little news to send you and I'm going to school
again this winter and will you be pleased to send me word what
has become of Julius Anderson and the rest of my friends and
tell him I would write to him if I knew where to direct the
letter, please send me word whether any body has been along
lately that knows me. I know that you are busy but you must take
time and answer this letter as I am anxious to hear from you,
but nevertheless we must not forget our maker, so we cannot pray