The Underground Railroad
with me But you are not here, when we parted I did not know that
I should come away so soon as I did. But for that of causin you
pain I left as I did, I hope that you will try to come. But if
you cannot, write to me as soon as you can and tell me all that
you can But don't be Desscuredged I was sory to leave you, and I
could not help it for you know that I promest see you to sister,
But I was persuaded By Another man go part with it grived mutch,
you must not think that I did not care for you. I cannot tell
how I come, for I was some times on the earth and some times
under the earth Do not Bee afraid to come But start and keep
trying, if you are afrid fitch your tow sister with you for
compeny and I will take care of you and treat you like a lady so
long as you live. The talk of cold in this place is all a
humbug, it is wormer here than it was there when I left, your
father and mother has allways treated me like their own child I
have no fault to find in them. I send my Respects to them Both
and I hope that they will remember me in Prayer, if you make a
start come to Philidelpa tell father and mother that I am safe
and hope that they will not morn after me I shall ever Remember
them. No more at present But yours in Body and mind, and if we
no meet on Earth I hope that we shall meet in heven.
Your husbern.
Good night.
JAME MASEY.
Perry was about thirty-one years of age, round-made, of dark complexion,
and looked quite gratified with his expedition, and the prospect of
becoming a British subject instead of a Maryland slave. He was not free,
however, from the sad thought of having left his wife and three children
in the "_prison house_," nor of the fact that his own dear mother was
brutally stabbed to the heart with a butcher knife by her young master,
while he (Perry) was a babe; nor of a more recent tragedy by which a
fellow-servant, only a short while before he fled, was also murdered by
a stab in the groin from another young master. "Powerful bad" treatment,
and "no pay," was the only reward poor Perry had ever received for his
life services. Perry could only remember his having received from his
master, in all, eleven cents. Left a brother and sister in Slavery.
Perry was worth $1200 perhaps.
Perry was compelled to leave his wife and three children--namely, Hannah
(wife), Perry Henry, William Thomas and Alexander, who were owned by
John McGuire, of Caroline county, Maryland. Perry was a fellow-servant
of James Massey, and was held by the same owner who held James. It is
but just, to say, that it was not in the Pittman family that his mother
and his fellow-servant had been so barbarously murdered. These
occurrences took place before they came into the hands of Pittman.
The provocation for which his fellow-servant was killed, was said to be
very trifling. In a moment of rage, his young master, John Piper,
plunged the blade of a small knife into Perry's groin, which resulted in
his death twenty-six hours afterwards. For one day only the young master
kept himself concealed, then he came forward and said he "did it in
self-defense," and there the matter ended. The half will never be told
of the barbarism of Slavery.
Perry's letter subjoined, explains where he went, and how his mind was
occupied with thoughts of his wife, children and friends.
ST. CATHARINES, C.W. June 21, 1857.
DEAR SIR.--I take this opportunity to inform you that I am well
at present, and hope that these few lines may find you injoying
the same Blessing, I have Been for some time now, But have not
written to you Before, But you must Excuse me. I want you to
give my Respects to all my inquiring friends and to my wife, I
should have let you know But I was afraid and all three of my
little children too, P.H. Trusty if he was mine Wm. T. Trusty
and to Alexander I have been A man agge But was assurd nuthin,
H. Trusty, a hard grand citt. I should lie know how times is,
Henry Turner if you get this keep it and read it to yourself and
not let any one else But yourself, tell ann Henry, Samuel Henry,
Jacob Bryant, Wm Claton, Mr James at Almira Receved at Mr Jones
house the Best I could I have Been healthy since I arrived here.
My Best Respect to all and my thanks for past favours. No more
at present But Remain youre obedented Servent &c.
HENRY TRUSTY.
Please send me an answer as son as you get this, and, oblige
yours,
MR TRUSTY.
George Rhoads is a young man of twenty-five years of age, chestnut
color, face round, and hating Slavery heartily. He had come from under
the control of John P. Dellum a farmer, and a crabbed master, who "would
swear very much when crossed, and would drink moderately every day,"
except sometimes he would "take a _spree_," and would then get pretty
high. Withal he was a member of the Presbyterian church at Perryville,
Maryland; he was a single man and followed farming. Within the last two
or three years, he had sold a man and woman; hence, George thought it
was time to take warning. Accordingly he felt it to be his duty to try
for Canada, via Underground Rail Road. As his master had always declared
that if one run off, he would sell the rest to Georgia, George very
wisely concluded that as an effort would have to be made, they had
better leave their master with as "few as possible to be troubled with
selling." Consequently, a consultation was had between the brothers,
which resulted in the exit of a party of eight. The market price for
George would be about $1400. A horrid example professed Christians set
before the world, while holding slaves and upholding Slavery.
James Rhoads, brother of George, was twenty-three years of age, medium
size, dark color, intelligent and manly, and would doubtless have
brought, in the Richmond market, $1700. Fortunately he brought his wife
and child with him. James was also held by the same task-master who held
George. Often had he been visited with severe stripes, and had borne his
full share of suffering from his master.
George Washington, one of the same party, was only about fifteen years
of age; he was tall enough, however, to pass for a young man of twenty.
George was of an excellent, fast, dark color. Of course, mentally he was
undeveloped, nevertheless, possessed of enough mother-wit to make good
his escape. In the slave market he might have been valued at $800.
George was claimed as the lawful property of Benjamin Sylves--a
Presbyterian, who owned besides, two men, three girls, and a boy. He was
"tolerable good" sometimes, and sometimes "bad." Some of the slaves
supposed themselves to be on the eve of being emancipated about the time
George left; but of this there was no certainty. George, however, was
not among this hopeful number, consequently, he thought that he would
start in time, and would be ready to shout for Freedom quite as soon as
any other of his fellow-bondmen. George left a father and three sisters.
Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads, wife of James Rhoads, was seventeen years of
age, a tall, dark, young woman, who had had no chances for mental
improvement, except such as were usual on a farm, stocked with slaves,
where learning to read the Bible was against the "rules." Sarah was a
young slave mother with a babe (of course a slave) only eight months
old. She was regarded as having been exceedingly fortunate in having
rescued herself and child from the horrid fate of slaves.
MARY ELIZABETH STEPHENSON is a promising-looking young woman, of twenty
years of age, chestnut color, and well made. Hard treatment had been her
lot. Left her mother, two sisters and four brothers in bondage. Worth
$1100.
Although these travelers were of the "field hand" class, who had never
been permitted to see much off of the farm, and had been deprived of
hearing intelligent people talk, yet the spirit of Freedom, so natural
to man, was quite uppermost with all of them. The members of the
Committee who saw them, were abundantly satisfied that these candidates
for Canada would prove that they were able to "take care of themselves."
Their wants were attended to in the usual manner, and they were sent on
their way rejoicing, the Committee feeling quite a deep interest in
them. It looked like business to see so many passing over the Road.
* * * * *
CHARLES THOMPSON,
CARRIER OF "THE NATIONAL AMERICAN," OFF FOR CANADA.
The subjoined "pass" was brought to the Underground Rail Road station in
Philadelphia by Charles, and while it was interesting as throwing light
upon his escape, it is important also as a specimen of the way the
"pass" system was carried on in the dark days of Slavery in Virginia:
"NAT. AMERICAN OFFICE,
Richmond, July 20th, 1857.
Permit Charles to pass and repass from this office to the
residence of Rev B. Manly's on Clay St., near 11th, at any hour
of the night for one month.
WM. W. HARDWICK."
It is a very short document, but it used to be very unsafe for a slave
in Richmond, or any other Southern city, to be found out in the evening
without a legal paper of this description. The penalties for being found
unprepared to face the police were fines, imprisonment and floggings.
The satisfaction it seemed always to afford these guardians of the city
to find either males or females trespassing in this particular, was
unmistakable. It gave them (the police) the opportunity to prove to
those they served (slaveholders), that they were the right men in the
right place, guarding their interests. Then again they got the fine for
pocket money, and likewise the still greater pleasure of administering
the flogging. Who would want an office, if no opportunity should turn up
whereby proof could be adduced of adequate qualifications to meet
emergencies? But Charles was too wide awake to be caught without his
pass day or night. Consequently he hung on to it, even after starting on
his voyage to Canada. He, however, willingly surrendered it to a member
of the Committee at his special request.
But in every way Charles was quite a remarkable man. It afforded the
Committee great pleasure to make his acquaintance, and much practical
and useful information was gathered from his story, which was felt to be
truthful.
The Committee feeling assured that this "chattel" must have been the
subject of much inquiry and anxiety from the nature of his former
position, as a prominent piece of property, as a member of the Baptist
church, as taking "first premiums" in making tobacco, and as a paper
carrier in the National American office, felt called upon to note fully
his movements before and after leaving Richmond.
In stature he was medium size, color quite dark, hair long and
bushy--rather of a raw-boned and rugged appearance, modest and
self-possessed; with much more intelligence than would be supposed from
first observation. On his arrival, ere he had "shaken hands with the
(British) Lion's paw," (which he was desirous of doing), or changed the
habiliments in which he escaped, having listened to the recital of his
thrilling tale, and wishing to get it word for word as it flowed
naturally from his brave lips, at a late hour of the night a member of
the Committee remarked to him, with pencil in hand, that he wanted to
take down some account of his life. "Now," said he, "we shall have to be
brief. Please answer as correctly as you can the following questions:"
"How old are you?" "Thirty-two years old the 1st day of last June."
"Were you born a slave?" "Yes." "How have you been treated?" "Badly all
the time for the last twelve years." "What do you mean by being treated