s23-TU, Th&st&
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.
Emeline Chapman, so particularly described in the "Baltimore Sun" of the
23d of September, 1856, arrived by the regular Underground Rail Road
train from Washington. In order to escape the responsibility attached to
her original name, she adopted the name of Susan Bell. Thus for freedom
she was willing to forego her name, her husband, and even her little
children. It was a serious sacrifice; but she had been threatened with
the auction block, and she well understood what that meant. With regard
to usage, having lived away from her owner, Emeline did not complain of
any very hard times. True, she had been kept at work very constantly,
and her owner had very faithfully received all her hire. Emeline had not
even been allowed enough of her hire to find herself in clothing, or
anything for the support of her two children--for these non-essentials,
her kind mistress allowed her to seek elsewhere, as best she could.
Emeline's husband was named John Henry; her little girl she called
Margaret Ann, and her babe she had named after its father, all with the
brand of Slavery upon them. The love of freedom, in the breast of this
spirited young Slave-wife and mother, did not extinguish the love she
bore to her husband and children, however otherwise her course, in
leaving them, as she did, might appear. For it was just this kind of
heroic and self-sacrificing struggle, that appealed to the hearts of men
and compelled attention. The letters of Biglow and Stevens, relative to
the little child, prove this fact, and additional testimony found in the
appended letter from Rev. J.W. Loguen conclusively confirms the same.
Indeed, who could close his eyes and ears to the plaintive cries of such
a mother? Who could refrain from aiding on to freedom children honored
in such a heroic parent?
SYRACUSE, Oct. 5, 1856.
DEAR FRIEND STILL:--I write to you for Mrs. Susan Bell, who was
at your city some time in September last. She is from Washington
city. She left her dear little children behind (two children).
She is stopping in our city, and wants to hear from her children
very much indeed. She wishes to know if you have heard from Mr.
Biglow, of Washington city. She will remain here until she can
hear from you. She feels very anxious about her children, I will
assure you. I should have written before this, but I have been
from home much of the time since she came to our city. She wants
to know if Mr. Biglow has heard anything about her husband. If
you have not written to Mr. Biglow, she wishes you would. She
sends her love to you and your dear family. She says that you
were all kind to her, and she does not forget it. You will
direct your letter to me, dear brother, and I will see that she
gets it.
Miss F.E. Watkins left our house yesterday for Ithaca, and other
places in that part of the State. Frederick Douglass, Wm. J.
Watkins and others were with us last week; Gerritt Smith with
others. Miss Watkins is doing great good in our part of the
State. We think much indeed of her. She is such a good and
glorious speaker, that we are all charmed with her. We have had
thirty-one fugitives in the last twenty-seven days; but you, no
doubt, have had many more than that. I hope the good Lord may
bless you and spare you long to do good to the hunted and
outraged among our brethren.
Yours truly,