Michael worked in a foundry. In church fellowship he was connected with
the Methodists--his mistress with the Baptists.
THOMAS NIXON was about nineteen years of age, of a dark hue, and quite
intelligent. He had not much excuse to make for leaving, except, that he
was "tired of staying" with his "owner," as he "feared he might be sold
some day," so he "thought" that he might as well save him the trouble.
Thomas belonged to a Mr. Bockover, a wholesale grocer, No. 12 Brewer
street. Thomas left behind him his mother and three brothers. His father
was sold away when he was an infant, consequently he never saw him.
Thomas was a member of the Methodist Church; his master was of the same
persuasion.
FREDERICK NIXON was about thirty-three years of age, and belonged truly
to the wide-awake class of slaves, as his marked physical and mental
appearance indicated. He had a more urgent excuse for escaping than
Thomas; he declared that he fled because, his owner wanted "to work him
hard without allowing him any chance, and had treated him rough."
Frederick was also one of Mr. Bockover's chattels; he left his wife,
Elizabeth, with four children in bondage. They were living in Eatontown,
North Carolina. It had been almost one year since he had seen them. Had
he remained in Norfolk he had not the slightest prospect of being
reunited to his wife and children, as he had been already separated from
them for about three years. This painful state of affairs only increased
his desire to leave those who were brutal enough to make such havoc in
his domestic relations.
PETER PETTY was about twenty-four years of age, and wore a happy
countenance; he was a person of agreeable manners, and withal pretty
smart. He acknowledged, that he had been owned by Joseph Boukley, Hair
Inspector. Peter did not give Mr. Boukley a very good character,
however; he said, that Mr. B. was "rowdyish in his habits, was deceitful
and sly, and would sell his slaves any time. Hard bondage--something
like the children of Israel," was his simple excuse for fleeing. He
hired his time of his master, for which he was compelled to pay $156 a
year. When he lost time by sickness or rainy weather, he was required to
make up the deficiency, also find his clothing. He left a
wife--Lavinia--and one child, Eliza, both slaves. Peter communicated to
his wife his secret intention to leave, and she acquiesced in his going.
He left his parents also. All his sisters and brothers had been sold.
Peter would have been sold too, but his owner was under the impression,
that he was "too good a Christian" to violate the laws by running away.
Peter's master was quite a devoted Methodist, and was attached to the
same Church with Peter. While on the subject of religion, Peter was
asked about the kind and character of preaching that he had been
accustomed to hear; whereupon he gave the following graphic specimen:
"Servants obey your masters; good servants make good masters; when your
mistress speaks to you don't pout out your mouths; when you want to go
to church ask your mistress and master," etc., etc. Peter declared, that
he had never heard but one preacher speak against slavery, and that "one
was obliged to leave suddenly for the North." He said, that a Quaker
lady spoke in meeting against Slavery one day, which resulted in an
outbreak, and final breaking up of the meeting.
PHILLIS GAULT. Phillis was a widow, about thirty years of age; the blood
of two races flowed in about equal proportions through her veins. Such
was her personal appearance, refinement, manners, and intelligence, that
had the facts of her slave life been unknown, she would have readily
passed for one who had possessed superior advantages. But the facts in
her history proved, that she had been made to feel very keenly the
horrifying effects of Slavery; not in the field, for she had never
worked there; nor as a common drudge, for she had always been required
to fill higher spheres; she was a dress-maker--but not without fear of
the auction block. This dreaded destiny was the motive which constrained
her to escape with the twenty others; secreted in the hold of a vessel
expressly arranged for bringing away slaves. Death had robbed her of her
husband at the time that the fever raged so fearfully in Norfolk. This
sad event deprived her of the hope she had of being purchased by her
husband, as he had intended. She was haunted by the constant thought of
again being sold, as she had once been, and as she had witnessed the
sale of her sister's four children after the death of their mother.
Phillis was, to use her own striking expression in a state of "great
horror;" she felt, that nothing would relieve her but freedom. After
having fully pondered the prospect of her freedom and the only mode
offered by which she could escape, she consented to endure bravely
whatever of suffering and trial might fall to her lot in the
undertaking--and as was the case with thousands of others, she
succeeded. She remained several days in the family of a member of the
Committee in Philadelphia, favorably impressing all who saw her. As she
had formed a very high opinion of Boston, from having heard it so
thoroughly reviled in Norfolk, she desired to go there. The Committee
made no objections, gave her a free ticket, etc. From that time to the
present, she has ever sustained a good Christian character, and as an
industrious, upright, and intelligent woman, she has been and is highly
respected by all who know her. The following letter is characteristic of
her:
BOSTON, March 22, 1858.
MY DEAR SIR--I received your photograph by Mr Cooper and it
afforded me much pleasure to do so i hope that these few lines
may find you and your family well as it leaves me and little
Dicky at present i have no interesting news to tell you more
than there is a great revival of religion through the land i all
most forgoten to thank you for your kindness and our little Dick
he is very wild and goes to school and it is my desire and
prayer for him to grow up a useful man i wish you would try to
gain some information from Norfolk and write me word how the
times are there for i am afraid to write. i wish yoo would see
the Doctor for me and ask him if he could carefully find out any
way that we could steal little Johny for i think to raise nine
or ten hundred dollars for such a child is outraigust. just at
this time i feel as if i would rather steal him than to buy him.
give my kinde regards to the Dr and his family tell Miss Margret
and Mrs Landy that i would like to see them out here this summer
again to have a nice time in Cambridge Miss Walker that spent
the evening with me in Cambridge sens much love to yoo and Mrs.
Landy give my kindes regards to Mrs Still and children and
receive a portion for yoo self. i have no more to say at present
but remain yoor respectfully.