The Underground Railroad
qualities that greatly encouraged the efforts of the Committee. William
Nelson, was a man of a dark chestnut color, medium size, with more than
an ordinary degree of what might be termed "mother wit." Apparently,
William possessed well settled convictions, touching the questions of
morals and religion, despite the overflowing tide of corruption and
spurious religious teachings consequent on the existing pro-slavery
usages all around him. He was a member of the Methodist Church, under
the charge of the Rev. Mr. Jones. For twenty years, William had served
in the capacity of a "packer" under Messrs. Turner and White, who held a
deed for William as their legal property. While he declared that he had
been very "tightly worked" he nevertheless admitted that he had been
dealt with in a mild manner in some respects.
For his board and clothing, William had been allowed $1.50 per week.
Truly a small sum for a hard-working man with a family--yet this was far
more than many slaves received from their masters. In view of receiving
this small pittance, he had toiled hard--doing over-work in order to
make "buckle and strap meet." Once he had been sold on the
auction-block. A sister of his had also shared the same fate. While
seriously contemplating his life as a slave, he was soon led to the
conclusion that it was his duty to bend his entire energies towards
freeing himself and his family if possible. The idea of not being able
to properly provide for his family rendered him quite unhappy; he
therefore resolved to seek a passage North, via the Underground Rail
Road. To any captain who would aid him in the matter, he resolved to
offer a large reward, and determined that the amount should only be
limited by his inability to increase it. Finally, after much anxious
preparation, agreement was entered into with Captain B., on behalf of
himself, wife, child, and Louisa Bell, which was mutually satisfactory
to all concerned, and afforded great hope to William. In due time the
agreement was carried into effect, and all arrived safely and were
delivered into the hands of the Committee in Philadelphia. The fare of
the four cost $240, and William was only too grateful to think, that a
Captain could be found who would risk his own liberty in thus aiding a
slave to freedom.
The Committee gladly gave them aid and succor, and agreed with William
that the Captain deserved all that he received for their deliverance.
The arrival of William, wife, and child in Canada was duly announced by
the agent at St. Catharines, Rev. H. Wilson, as follows:
ST. CATHARINES, C.W., June 28th, 1855.
MR. WM. STILL:--_My Dear Friend_:--I am happy to announce the
safe arrival of Thomas Russell with his wife and child. They
have just arrived. I am much pleased with their appearance. I
shall do what I can for their comfort and encouragement. They
stopt at Elmira from Monday night till this morning, hoping that
Lucy Bell would come up and join them at that place. They are
very anxious to hear from her, as they have failed of meeting
with her on the way or finding her here in advance of them. They
wish to hear from you as soon as you can write, and would like
to know if you have forwarded Lucy on, and if so, what route you
sent her. They send their kind respects to you and your family
and many thanks for your kindness to them.
They wish you to inquire after Lucy if any harm has befallen her
after her leaving Philadelphia. Please write promptly in my
care.
Yours truly in the love of freedom,
HIRAM WILSON.
The man who came to us as Wm. Nelson, is now known only as "Thomas
Russell." It may here be remarked, that, owing to the general custom of
changing names, as here instanced, it is found difficult to tell to whom
the letters severally refer. Where the old and new names were both
carefully entered on the book there is no difficulty, of course, but it
was not always thus.
Susan Bell, the wife of William, was about thirty years of age, of a
dark color, rather above medium size, well-made, good-looking, and
intelligent--quite equal to her husband, and appeared to have his
affections undividedly. She was owned by Thomas Baltimore, with whom she
had lived for the last seven years. She stated that during a part of her
life she had been treated in a "mild manner." She had no complaint to
make until after the marriage of her master. Under the new wife and
mistress, Susan found a very marked change for the worse. She fared
badly enough then. The mistress, on every trifling occasion for
complaint, was disposed to hold the auction-block up to Susan, and would
likewise influence her husband to do the same. From the fact, that four
of Susan's sisters had been sold away to "parts unknown," she was not
prepared to relish these almost daily threats from her irritable
mistress, so she became as anxious for a trip on the Underground Rail
Road as was her husband.
About one hundred miles away in the country, her father, mother, three
brothers, and one sister were living; but she felt that she could not
remain a slave on their account. Susan's owner had already fixed a price
on her and her child, twenty-two months old, which was one thousand
dollars. From this fate she was saved only by her firm resolution to
seek her freedom.
Louisa Bell was also of Wm. Nelson's party, and a fair specimen of a
nice-looking, wide awake woman; of a chestnut color, twenty-eight years
of age. She was the wife of a free man, but the slave of L. Stasson, a
confectioner. The almost constant ringing in her ears of the
auction-block, made her most miserable, especially as she had once
suffered terribly by being sold, and had likewise seen her mother, and
five sisters placed in the same unhappy situation, the thought of which
never ceased to be most painful. In reflecting upon the course which she
was about to pursue in order to free herself from the prison-house, she
felt more keenly than ever for her little children, and readily imagined
how sadly she would mourn while thinking of them hundreds of miles
distant, growing up only to be slaves. And particularly would her
thoughts dwell upon her boy, six years of age; full old enough to feel
deeply the loss of his mother, but without hope of ever seeing her
again.
Heart-breaking as were these reflections, she resolved to leave Robert
and Mary in the hands of God, and escape, if possible from her terrible
thraldom. Her plan was submitted to her husband; he acquiesced fully and
promised to follow her as soon as an opportunity might present itself.
Although the ordeal that she was called upon to pass through was of the
most trying nature she bravely endured the journey through to Canada. On
her arrival there the Rev. H. Wilson wrote on behalf of herself, and the
cause as follows:
ST. CATHERINES, C.W. July 6th, 1855.
DEAR BR. STILL:--I have just received your letters touching
U.G.R.R. operations. All is right. Jasper and Mrs. Bell got here
on Saturday last, and I think I dropt you a line announcing the
fact. I write again thus soon because two more by name of Smith,
John and Wm., have arrived the present week and were anxious to
have me inform you that they are safely landed and free in this
refuge land. They wish me to communicate their kind regards to
you and others who have aided them. They have found employment
and are likely to do well. The 5 of last week have gone over to
Toronto. I gave them letters to a friend there after furnishing
them as well as I could with such clothing as they required. I
am afraid that I am burdening you too much with postage, but
can't help doing so unless I fail to write at all, as my means
are not half equal to the expenses to which I am subject.
Faithfully and truly yours,
HIRAM WILSON.
Elias Jasper, who was also a fellow-passenger with Wm. Nelson and Co.,
was noticed thus on the Underground Rail Road: Age thirty-two years,
color dark, features good, and gifted both with his tongue and hands. He
had worked more or less at the following trades: Rope-making,
carpentering, engineering, and photographing. It was in this latter
calling that he was engaged when the Underground Rail Road movement
first arrested his attention, and so continued until his departure.
For several years he had been accustomed to hire his time, for which he
had been required to pay $10 per month. In acquiring the above trades he
had been at no expense to his master, as he had learned them solely by
his own perseverance, endowed as he was with a considerable share of
genius. Occasionally he paid for lessons, the money being earned by his
over-work. His master, Bayham, was a "retired gentleman."
Elias had been sold once, and had suffered in various other ways,
particularly from being flogged. He left his wife, Mary, but no child.
Of his intention to leave Elias saw not how to impart to his wife, lest
she should in some way let the "cat out of the bag." She was owned by a
Miss Portlock, and had been treated "tolerably well," having had the
privilege of hiring her time. She had $55 to pay for this favor, which
amount she raised by washing, etc. Elias was a member of the Methodist
Church, as were all of his comrades, and well did they remember the
oft-repeated lesson, "Servants obey your masters," etc. They soon
understood this kind of preaching after breathing free air. The market
value of Elias was placed at $1200.
Arrival, No. 4. Maria Joiner. Captain F. arrived, from Norfolk, with the
above named passenger, the way not being open to risk any other on that
occasion. This seemed rather slow business with this voyager, for he was
usually accustomed to bringing more than one. However, as this arrival
was only one day later than the preceding one noticed, and came from the
same place, the Committee concluded, that they had much reason for
rejoicing nevertheless. As in the case of a great number among the
oppressed of the South, when simply looking at Maria, no visible marks
of ill usage in any way were discernible. Indeed, as she then appeared
at the age of thirty-three, a fine, fresh, and healthy-looking mulatto
woman, nine out of every ten would have been impressed with the idea,
that she had never been subjected to hard treatment; in other words,
that she had derived her full share of advantages from the "Patriarchal
Institution." The appearance of just such persons in Southern cities had
often led Northerners, when traveling in those parts, to regard the lot
of slaves as quite comfortable. But the story of Maria, told in an
earnest and intelligent manner, was at once calculated to dissipate the
idea of a "comfortable" existence in a state of bondage. She frankly
admitted, however, that prior to the death of her old master, she was
favorably treated, compared with many others; but, unfortunately, after
his death, she had fallen into the hands of one of the old man's
daughters, from whom, she declared, that she had received continued
abuse, especially when said daughter was under the influence of liquor.
At such times she was very violent. Being spirited, Maria could not
consent to suffer on as a slave in this manner. Consequently she began
to cogitate how she might escape from her mistress (Catharine Gordon),
and reach a free State. None other than the usual trying and hazardous
ways could be devised--which was either to be stowed away in the hold of
a schooner, or concealed amongst the rubbish of a steamer, where, for
the time being, the extreme suffering was sure to tax every nerve even
of the most valiant-hearted men. The daily darkening prospects
constrained her to decide, that she was willing to suffer, not only in