The Underground Railroad
of with reference to usage than most slaves; the only thing in this
respect the records contain, is simply a charge, that his master
threatened to sell him. But this did not seem to have been the motive
which prompted John to take leave of his master. Although untutored, he
had mind enough to comprehend that Postly had no right to oppress him,
and wrong him out of his hire. John concluded that he would not stand
such treatment any longer, and made up his mind to leave for Canada.
After due examination the Committee, finding his story reasonable, gave
him the usual assistance, advice and instruction, and sent him on
Canada-ward.
SAMUEL SLATER, alias PATTERSON SMITH, came from a place called Power
Bridge, Md. He gave a satisfactory account of himself, and was commended
for having wisely left his master, William Martin, to earn his bread by
the sweat of his own brow. Martin had held up the vision of the
auction-block before Sam; this was enough. Sam saw that it was time for
him to be getting out of danger's way without delay, so he presumed, if
others could manage to escape, he could too. And he succeeded. He was a
stout man, about twenty-nine years of age, of dark complexion. No
particular mention of ill treatment is found on the Records.
After arriving in Canada, his heart turned with deep interest and
affection to those left in the prison-house, as the following letter
indicates.
ST. CATHRINES Oct 29th.
MY DEAR FRIEND:--yours of the 15th came to hand and I was glad
to hea from you and your dear family were well and the reason
that I did not write sooner I expected get a letter from my
brother in pennsylvania but I have not received any as yet when
I wrote last I directed my letter to philip scott minister of
the asbury church baltimore and that was the reason that I
thought it strange I did not get an answer but I did not put my
brother name to it I made arrangements before I left home with a
family of smiths that I was to write to and the letter that I
enclose in this I want you to direct it to D Philip scott in his
care for mrs cassey Jackson Duke Jacksons wife and she will give
to Priana smith or Sarah Jane Smith those are the persons I wish
to write to I wish you to write on as quick as you can and let
them know that there is a lady coming on by the name of mrs
Holonsworth and she will call and see you and you will find her
a very interesting and inteligent person one worthy of respect
and esteem and a high reputation I must now bring my letter to a
close no more at present but remain your humble servant
PATTERSON SMITH
In my letters I did not write to my friends how they shall write
to me but in the letter that you write you will please to tell
them how they shall write to me.
HARRISON BELL AND DAUGHTER HARRIET ANN. Father and daughter were
fortunate enough to escape together from Norfolk, Va.
Harrison was just in the prime of life, forty years of age, stout made,
good features, but in height was rather below medium, was a man of more
than ordinary shrewdness, by trade he was a chandler. He alleged that he
had been used hard.
Harriet Ann was a well-grown girl of pleasant appearance, fourteen years
of age. Father and daughter had each different owners, one belonged to
James Snyder, the other to John G. Hodgson.
Harrison had been informed that his children were to be sold; to prevent
this shocking fate, he was prompted to escape. Several months previous
to finding a chance to make a safe flight, he secreted himself with his
children in Norfolk, and so remained up to the day he left, a passage
having been secured for them on one of the boats coming to Philadelphia.
While the records contain no definite account of other children, it is
evident that there were others, but what became of them is not known.
If at the time of their arrival, it had been imagined that the glorious
day of universal freedom was only about eight years off, doubtless much
fuller records would have been made of these struggling Underground Rail
Road passengers. If Harrison's relatives and friends, who suddenly
missed him and his daughter Harriet Ann, in the Spring of 1854, are
still ignorant of his whereabouts, this very brief account of their
arrival in Philadelphia, may be of some satisfaction to all concerned,
not excepting his old master, whom he had served so faithfully.
The Committee finding them in need, had the pleasure of furnishing them
with food, material aid and a carriage, with cheering words and letters
of introduction to friends on the road to Canada.
DANIEL DAVIS, ALIAS DAVID SMITH, ADAM NICHOLSON, ALIAS JOHN WYNKOOP,
REUBEN BOWLES, ALIAS CUNNIGAN, ARRIVED FROM HEDGEVILLE, VA.
Daniel was only about twenty, just at a capital age to make a bold
strike for freedom. The appearance and air of this young aspirant for
liberty indicated that he was not of the material to be held in chains.
He was a man of medium size, well-built, dark color, and intelligent.
Hon. Charles J. Fortner, M.C. was the reputed owner of this young
fugitive, but the honorable gentleman having no use for his services, or
because he may have profited more by hiring him out, Daniel was placed
in the employ of a farmer, by the name of Adam Quigley. It was at this
time he resolved that he would not be a slave any longer. He declared
that Quigley was a "very mean man," one for whom he had no respect
whatever. Indeed he felt that the system of Slavery was an abomination
in any form it might be viewed. While he was yet so young, he had pretty
clear views with regard to Slavery, and remembered with feelings of deep
indignation, how his father had been sold when he himself was a boy,
just as a horse might have been sold; and how his mother was dragging
her chains in Slavery, up to the hour he fled. Thus in company with his
two companions he was prepared for any sacrifice.
Adam'S tale is soon told; all that is on the old record in addition to
his full name, is in the following words: "Adam is dark, rugged and
sensible, and was owned by Alexander Hill, a drunkard, gambler, &c."
Reuben had been hired out to John Sabbard near Hedgeville. Startled at
hearing that he was to be sold, he was led to consider the propriety of
seeking flight via the Underground Rail Road. These three young men were
all fine specimens of farm hands, and possessed more than average common
sense, considering the oppression they had to labor under. They walked
the entire distance from Hedgeville, Va., to Greenville, Pa. There they
took the cars and walked no more. They appeared travel-worn, garments
dirty, and forlorn; but the Committee had them cleanly washed, hair cut
and shaved, change of clothing furnished, &c., which at once made them
look like very different men. Means were appropriated to send them on
free of cost.
JAMES STEWART, _alias_ WM. JACKSON. James had been made acquainted with
the Peculiar Institution in Fauquier county, Va. Being of sound judgment
and firm resolution, he became an enemy to Slavery at a very early age;
so much so, that by the time he was twenty-one he was willing to put
into practice his views of the system by leaving it and going where all
men are free. Very different indeed were these notions, from those held
by his owner, Wm. Rose, who believed in Slavery for the black man. So as
James could neither enjoy his freedom nor express his opinion in
Virginia, he determined, that he had better get a passage on the
Underground Rail Road, and leave the land of Slavery and the obnoxious
sentiments of his master. He, of course, saw formidable difficulties to
be encountered all the way along in escaping, but these, he considered,
would be more easy for him to overcome than it would be for him to learn
the lesson--"Servants, obey your masters." The very idea made James
sick. This, therefore, was the secret of his escape.
HARRIET HALEY, _alias_ ANN RICHARDSON, AND ELIZABETH HALEY, _alias_
SARAH RICHARDSON. These travelers succeeded in escaping from Geo. C.
Davis, of Harford county, Md. In order to carry out their plans, they
took advantage of Whitsuntide, a holiday, and with marked ingenuity and
perseverance, they managed to escape and reach Quakertown Underground
Rail Road Station without obstruction, where protection and assistance
were rendered by the friends of the cause. After abiding there for a
short time, they were forwarded to the Committee in Philadelphia. Their
ages ranged from nineteen to twenty-one, and they were apparently
"servants" of a very superior order. The pleasure it afforded to aid
such young women in escaping from a condition so loathsome as that of
Slavery in Maryland, was unalloyed.
BENJAMIN DUNCANS, _alias_ GEORGE SCOTT. This individual was in bonds
under Thomas Jeffries, who was a firm believer in the doctrine:
"Servants, obey your masters," and, furthermore, while laboring "pretty
hard" to make Benjamin a convert to this idea, he had made Benjamin's
lot anything else than smooth. This treatment on the part of the master
made a wise and resolute man of the Slave. For as he looked earnestly
into the fact, that he was only regarded by his owner in the light of an
ox, or an ass, his manhood rebelled straightway, and the true light of
freedom told him, that he must be willing to labor, and endure suffering
for the great prize, liberty. So, in company with five others, at an
appointed time, he set out for freedom, and succeeded. The others,
alluded to, passed on to Canada direct. Benjamin was induced to stop a
few months in Pennsylvania, during which time he occupied himself in
farming. He looked as if he was well able to do a full day's work at
this occupation. He was about twenty-five years of age, of unmixed
blood, and wore a pleasant countenance.
MOSES WINES. Portsmouth, Va., lost one of her most substantial laborers
in the person of Moses, and Madam Abigail Wheeler, a very "likely
article" of merchandise. "No complaint" as to "ill treatment" was made
by Moses against "Miss Abigail." The truth was, he admitted, that he had
been used in a "mild way." With some degree of pride, he stated that he
"had never been flogged." But, for the "last fifteen years, he had been
favored with the exalted privilege of 'hiring' his time at the
'reasonable' sum of $12 per month." As he stood pledged to have this
amount always ready, "whether sick or well," at the end of the month,
his mistress "never neglected to be in readiness to receive it" to the
last cent. In this way Moses was taught to be exceedingly punctual. Who
would not commend such a mistress for the punctuality, if nothing more?
But as smoothly as matters seemed to be going along, the mischievous
idea crept into Moses' head, that he ought to have some of the money
claimed by his "kind" mistress, and at the same time, the thought would
often forcibly press upon his mind that he might any day be sold. In
addition to this unpleasant prospect, Virginia had just about that time
passed a law "prohibiting Slaves from hiring their time"--also, a number
of "new Police rules with reference to Slaves and free colored people,"
all of which, the "humane Slave-holders" of that "liberal State,"
regarded as highly essential both for the "protection and safety of
Master and Slave." But the stupid-headed Moses was not pleased with
these arrangements. In common with many of the Slaves, he smarted
severely under his heavy oppression, and felt that it was similar to an
old rule, which had been once tried under Pharaoh--namely, when the
children of Israel were required to "make bricks without straw." But
Moses was not a fit subject to submit to be ruled so inhumanly.
Despite the beautiful sermons he had often listened to in favor of