The Underground Railroad
knew my folks at the South. He has got into a good place to work
in this neighborhood. Give my love to Mrs Still, and believe me
your obliged friend,
HARRIET EGLIN.
P.S. I would like to know what became of Johnson,[A] the man
whose foot was smashed by jumping off the cars, he was at your
house when I was there.
[Footnote A: Johnson was an unfortunate young fugitive, who,
while escaping, beheld his master or pursuer in the cars, and
jumped therefrom, crushing his feet shockingly by the bold act.]
H.E.
FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, NORTH CAROLINA, WASHINGTON, D.C., AND
SOUTH CAROLINA.
JAMES BURRELL, DANIEL WIGGINS, WM. ROBINSON, EDWARD PEADEN, AND WIFE,
ALEX BOGGS, SAMUEL STATER, HARRISON BELL AND DAUGHTER, HARRIET
ANN,DANIEL DAVIS, _alias_ DAVID SMITH, JAMES STEWART, _alias_ WILLIAM
JACKSON, HARRIET HALEY, _alias_ ANN RICHARDSON, BENJ. DUNCANS, _alias_
GEORGE SCOTT, MOSES WINES, SARAH SMITH, _alias_ MILDRETH PAGE, LUCY
GARRETT, _alias_ JULIA WOOD, ELLEN FORMAN, _alias_ ELIZABETH YOUNG, WM.
WOODEN, _alias_ WM. NELSON, JAMES EDWARD HANDY, _alias_ DENNIS CANNON,
JAMES HENRY DELANY _alias_ SMART STANLEY, JAMES HENRY BLACKSON, GEORGE
FREELAND, MILES WHITE, LOUISA CLAYTON, LEWIS SNOWDEN, _alias_ LEWIS
WILLIAMS, WM. JOHNSON, JOHN HALL _alias_ JOHN SIMPSON. In order to keep
this volume within due limits, in the cases to be noticed in this
chapter, it will be impossible to state more than a few of the
interesting particulars that make up these narratives. While some of
these passengers might not have been made in the prison house to drink
of the bitter cup as often as others, and in their flight might not have
been called upon to pass through as severe perils as fell to the lot of
others, nevertheless justice seems to require, that, as far as possible,
all the passengers passing over the Philadelphia Underground Rail Road
shall be noticed.
James Burrell. James was certainly justifiable in making his escape, if
for no other reason than on the score of being nearly related to the
chivalry of the South. He was a mulatto (the son of a white man
evidently), about thirty-two years of age, medium size, and of an
agreeable appearance. He was owned by a maiden lady, who lived at
Williamsburg, but not requiring his services in her own family, she
hired him out by the year to a Mr. John Walker, a manufacturer of
tobacco, for which she received $120 annually. This arrangement was not
satisfactory to James. He could not see why he should be compelled to
wear the yoke like an ox. The more he thought over his condition, the
more unhappy was his lot, until at last he concluded, that he could not
stand Slavery any longer. He had witnessed a great deal of the hardships
of the system of Slavery, and he had quite enough intelligence to
portray the horrors thereof in very vivid colors. It was the
auction-block horror that first prompted him to seek freedom. While
thinking how he would manage to get away safely, his wife and children
were ever present in his mind. He felt as a husband should towards his
"wife Betsy," and likewise loved his "children, Walter and Mary;" but
these belonged to another man, who lived some distance in the country,
where he had permission to see them only once a week. This had its
pleasure, it also had its painful influence. The weekly partings were a
never-failing source of unhappiness. So when James' mind was fully made
up to escape from Slavery, he decided that it would not be best to break
the secret to his poor wife and children, but to get off to Canada, and
afterwards to try and see what he could do for their deliverance. The
hour fixed to leave Virginia arrived, and he started and succeeded in
reaching Philadelphia, and the Committee. On arriving he needed
medicine, clothing, food, and a carriage for his accommodation, all
which were furnished freely by the Committee, and he was duly forwarded
to Canada. From Canada, with his name changed, he wrote as follows:
TORONTO, March 28th, 1854.
SIR, MR. STILL--It does me pleasure to forward you this letter
hopeing when this comes to hand it may find your family well, as
they leaves me at present. I will also say that the friends are
well. Allow me to say to you that I arrived in this place on
Friday last safe and sound, and feeles well under my safe
arrival. Its true that I have not been employed as yet but I
lives hopes to be at work very shortly. I likes this city very
well, and I am in hopes that there a living here for me as much
so as there for any one else. You will be please to write. I am
bording at Mr. Phillip's Centre Street.
I have nothing more at present. Yours most respectfull.
W. BOURAL.
DANIEL WIGGINS, _alias_ DANIEL ROBINSON. Daniel fled from Norfolk, Va.,
where he had been owned by the late Richard Scott. Only a few days
before Daniel escaped, his so-called owner was summoned to his last
account. While ill, just before the close of his career, he often
promised D. his freedom and also promised, if restored, that he would
make amends for the past, by changing his ways of living. His son, who
was very reckless, he would frequently allude to and declared, "that
he," the son, "should not have his 'property.'" These dying sentiments
filled Daniel with great hopes that the day of his enslavement was
nearly at an end. Unfortunately, however, death visited the old master,
ere he had made provision for his slaves. At all events, no will was
found. That he might not fall a prey to the reckless son, he felt, that
he must nerve himself for a desperate struggle to obtain his freedom in
some other way, by traveling on the Underground Rail Road. While he had
always been debarred from book learning, he was, nevertheless, a man of
some intelligence, and by trade was a practical Corker.
He was called upon in this trying hour to leave his wife with three
children, but they were, fortunately, free. Coming to the Committee in
want, they cheerfully aided him, and forwarded him on to Canada. Thence,
immediately on his arrival, he returned the following grateful letter:
NEW BEDFORD, Mass., March 22d, 1854.
DEAR SIR:--I am happy to inform you that I arrived in this place
this morning well and cheerful. I am, sir, to you and others
under more obligations for your kindly protection of me than I
can in any way express at present. May the Lord preserve you
unto eternal life. Remember my respects to Mr. Lundy and family.
Should the boat lay up please let me know.
Yours respectfully,
DAVID ROBINSON.
Please forward to Dr. H. Lundy, after you have gotten through.
With respects, &c.
D.R.
WM. ROBINSON, _alias_ THOS. HARRED. William gave satisfactory evidence,
at first sight, that he was opposed to the unrequited labor system _in
toto_, and even hated still more the flogging practices of the chivalry.
Although he had reached his twenty-eighth year, and was a truly fair
specimen of his race, considering his opportunities, a few days before
William left, the overseer on the plantation attempted to flog him, but
did not succeed. William's manhood was aroused, and he flogged the
overseer soundly, if what he averred was true. The name of William's
owner was John G. Beale, Esq., of Fauquier county, Va. Beale was
considered to be a man of wealth, and had invested in Slave stock to the
number of seventy head. According to William's account of Beale, he was
a "hard man and thought no more of his black people than he did of
dogs." When William entered upon the undertaking of freeing himself from
Beale's barbarism, he had but one dollar and twenty-five cents in his
possession; but he had physical strength and a determined mind, and
being heartily sick of Slavery, he was willing to make the trial, even
at the cost of life. Thus hopeful, he prosecuted his journey with
success through strange regions of country, with but little aid or
encouragement before reaching Philadelphia. This feat, however, was not
performed without getting lost by the way. On arriving, his shoes were
gone, and his feet were severely travel-worn. The Committee rendered
needed aid, etc., and sent William on to Canada to work for himself, and
to be recognized as a subject of Great Britain.
EDWARD PEADEN AND WIFE HARRIET, AND SISTER CELIA. This man and his wife
and wife's sister were a nice-looking trio, but they brought quite a sad
story with them: the sale of their children, six in number. The auction
block had made such sad havoc among them, that no room was left to hope,
that their situation would ever be improved by remaining. Indeed they
had been under a very gloomy cloud for some time previous to leaving,
fearing that the auction block was shortly to be their doom. To escape
this fate, they were constrained to "secrete themselves for one month,"
until an opportunity offered them to secure a passage on a boat coming
to Philadelphia. Edward (the husband), was about forty-four years of
age, of a dark color, well made, full face, pleasant countenance, and
talked fluently. Dr. Price claimed him as his personal property, and
exacted all his hire and labor. For twelve years he had been hired out
for $100 per annum. Harriet, the wife of Edward, belonged to David
Baines, of Norfolk. Her general appearance indicated, that nature had
favored her physically and mentally, although being subjected to the
drudgery of Slave life, with no advantages for development, she was
simply a living testimony to the crushing influence of Slavery--with a
heart never free from the saddened recollection of the auction block, on
which all of her children had been sacrificed, "one by one." Celia, the
sister, also belonged to D. Baines, and was kept hired out--was last in
the service of the Mayor of Norfolk. Of her story nothing of any moment
was recorded. On their arrival in Philadelphia, as usual they were
handed over to the Committee, and their wants were met.
WILLIAM DAVIS. All that the records contain of William is as follows: He
left Emmitsburg, Md., the previous Friday night, where he had been held
by Dr. James Shoul. William is thirty-two years of age, dark color,
rather below medium stature. With regard to his slave life, he declared
that he had been "roughly used." Besides, for some time before escaping,
he felt that his owner was in the "notion of trading" him off. The fear
that this apprehended notion would be carried into execution, was what
prompted him to leave his master.
ALEXANDER BOGGS, alias JOHNSON HENSON. This subject was under the
ownership of a certain John Ernie, who lived about three miles from
Baltimore. Mr. Ernie had only been in possession of the wayward
Alexander three weeks, having purchased him of a trader named Dennit,
for $550. This was not the first time, however, that he had experienced
the trouble of changing masters, in consequence of having been sold.
Previously to his being disposed of by the trader Dennit, he had been
owned by Senator Merrick, who had the misfortune to fail in business, in
consequence whereof, his slaves had all to be sold and Alexander with
the rest, away from his wife, Caroline, and two children, James and
Eliezer.
This was a case that appealed for sympathy and aid, which were
cheerfully rendered by the Committee. Alexander was about fifty years of
age, of dark color. On the Records no account of cruel treatment is
found, other than being sold, &c.
JOHN BROWN, alias JACOB WILLIAMS, arrived from Fredericktown, Md., where
he had been working under the yoke of Joseph Postly. John was a young
man of twenty-nine years of age. Up to the hour of his escape, his lot
had been that of an ordinary slave. Indeed, he had much less to complain