In very desperate straits many new inventions were sought after by
deep-thinking and resolute slaves, determined to be free at any cost.
But it must here be admitted, that, in looking carefully over the more
perilous methods resorted to, Robert Brown, alias Thomas Jones, stands
second to none, with regard to deeds of bold daring. This hero escaped
from Martinsburg, Va., in 1856. He was a man of medium size, mulatto,
about thirty-eight years of age, could read and write, and was naturally
sharp-witted. He had formerly been owned by Col. John F. Franie, whom
Robert charged with various offences of a serious domestic character.
Furthermore, he also alleged, that his "mistress was cruel to all the
slaves," declaring that "they (the slaves), could not live with her,"
that "she had to hire servants," etc.
In order to effect his escape, Robert was obliged to swim the Potomac
river on horseback, on Christmas night, while the cold, wind, storm, and
darkness were indescribably dismal. This daring bondman, rather than
submit to his oppressor any longer, perilled his life as above stated.
Where he crossed the river was about a half a mile wide. Where could be
found in history a more noble and daring struggle for Freedom?
The wife of his bosom and his four children, only five days before he
fled, were sold to a trader in Richmond, Va., for no other offence than
simply "because she had resisted" the lustful designs of her master,
being "true to her own companion." After this poor slave mother and her
children were cast into prison for sale, the husband and some of his
friends tried hard to find a purchaser in the neighborhood; but the
malicious and brutal master refused to sell her--wishing to gratify his
malice to the utmost, and to punish his victims all that lay in his
power, he sent them to the place above named.
In this trying hour, the severed and bleeding heart of the husband
resolved to escape at all hazards, taking with him a daguerreotype
likeness of his wife which he happened to have on hand, and a lock of
hair from her head, and from each of the children, as mementoes of his
unbounded (though sundered) affection for them.
After crossing the river, his wet clothing freezing to him, he rode all
night, a distance of about forty miles. In the morning he left his
faithful horse tied to a fence, quite broken down. He then commenced his
dreary journey on foot--cold and hungry--in a strange place, where it
was quite unsafe to make known his condition and wants. Thus for a day
or two, without food or shelter, he traveled until his feet were
literally worn out, and in this condition he arrived at Harrisburg,
where he found friends. Passing over many of the interesting incidents
on the road, suffice it to say, he arrived safely in this city, on New
Year's night, 1857, about two hours before day break (the telegraph
having announced his coming from Harrisburg), having been a week on the
way. The night he arrived was very cold; besides, the Underground train,
that morning, was about three hours behind time; in waiting for it,
entirely out in the cold, a member of the Vigilance Committee thought he
was frosted. But when he came to listen to the story of the Fugitive's
sufferings, his mind changed.
Scarcely had Robert entered the house of one of the Committee, where he
was kindly received, when he took from his pocket his wife's likeness,
speaking very touchingly while gazing upon it and showing it.
Subsequently, in speaking of his family, he showed the locks of hair
referred to, which he had carefully rolled up in paper separately.
Unrolling them, he said, "this is my wife's;" "this is from my oldest
daughter, eleven years old;" "and this is from my next oldest;" "and
this from the next," "and this from my infant, only eight weeks old."
These mementoes he cherished with the utmost care as the last remains of
his affectionate family. At the sight of these locks of hair so tenderly
preserved, the member of the Committee could fully appreciate the
resolution of the fugitive in plunging into the Potomac, on the back of
a dumb beast, in order to flee from a place and people who had made such
barbarous havoc in his household.
His wife, as represented by the likeness, was of fair complexion,
prepossessing, and good looking--perhaps not over thirty-three years of
age.
* * * * *