STEPHEN AMOS, _alias_ HENRY JOHNSON, HARRIET, _alias_ MARY JANE JOHNSON
(man and wife), and their four children, ANN REBECCA, WM. H., ELIZABETH
and MARY ELLEN. Doubtless, in the eyes of a Slaveholder, a more
"likely-looking" family could not readily be found in Baltimore, than
the one to be now briefly noticed. The mother and her children were
owned by a young slave-holder, who went by the name of William Giddings,
and resided in Prince George's county, Md. Harriet acknowledged, that
she had been treated "tolerably well in earlier days" for one in her
condition; but, as in so many instances in the experience of Slaves,
latterly, times had changed with her and she was compelled to serve
under a new master who oft-times treated her "very severely." On one
occasion, seven years previously, a brother of her owner for a trifling
offence struck and kicked her so brutally, that she was immediately
thrown into a fit of sickness, which lasted "all one summer"--from this
she finally recovered.
On another occasion, about one year previous to her escape, she was
seized by her owner and thrust into prison to be sold. In this instance
the interference of the Uncle of Harriet's master saved her from the
auction block. The young master, was under age, and at the same time
under the guardianship of his Uncle. The young master had early acquired
an ardent taste for fast horses, gambling, etc. Harriet felt, that her
chances for the future in the hands of such a brutal master could not be
other than miserable. Her husband had formerly been owned by John S.
Giddings, who was said to have been a "mild man." He had allowed Stephen
(her husband) to buy himself, and for eighteen months prior to the
flight, he had been what was called a free man. It should also be
further stated in justice to Stephen's master, that he was so disgusted
with the manner in which Stephen's wife was treated, that he went so far
as to counsel Stephen to escape with his wife and children. Here at
least is one instance where a Maryland slave-holder lends his influence
to the Underground Rail Road cause. The counsel was accepted, and the
family started on their perilous flight. And although they necessarily
had manifest trials and difficulties to discourage and beset them, they
battled bravely with all these odds and reached the Vigilance Committee
safely. Harriet was a bright mulatto, with marked features of character,
and well made, with good address and quite intelligent. She was about
twenty-six years of age. The children also were remarkably fine-looking
little creatures, but too young to know the horrors of Slavery. The
Committee at once relieved them of their heavy load of anxiety by
cheering words and administering to their necessities with regard to
food, money, etc. After the family had somewhat recovered from the
fatigue and travel-worn condition in which they arrived, and were
prepared to resume their journey, the Committee gave them the strictest
caution with regard to avoiding slave-hunters, and also in reference to
such points on the road where they would be most in danger of going
astray from a lack of knowledge of the way. Then, with indescribable
feelings of sympathy, free tickets were tendered them, and they having
been conducted to the depot, were sent on their way rejoicing.
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