MATILDA MAHONEY,--DR. J.W. PENNINGTON'S BROTHER AND SONS CAPTURED AND
CARRIED BACK.
While many sympathized with the slave in his chains, and freely wept
over his destiny, or gave money to help buy his freedom, but few could
be found who were willing to take the risk of going into the South, and
standing face to face with Slavery, in order to conduct a panting slave
to freedom. The undertaking was too fearful to think of in most cases.
But there were instances when men and women too, moved by the love of
freedom, would take their lives in their hands, beard the lion in his
den, and nobly rescue the oppressed. Such an instance is found in the
case of Matilda Mahoney, in Baltimore.
The story of Matilda must be very brief, although it is full of
thrilling interest. She was twenty-one years of age in 1854, when she
escaped and came to Philadelphia, a handsome young woman, of a light
complexion, quite refined in her manners, and in short, possessing great
personal attractions. But her situation as a slave was critical, as will
be seen.
Her claimant was Wm. Rigard, of Frederick, Md., who hired her to a Mr.
Reese, in Baltimore; in this situation her duties were general housework
and nursing. With these labors, she was not, however, so much
dissatisfied as she was with other circumstances of a more alarming
nature: her old master was tottering on the verge of the grave, and his
son, a trader in New Orleans. These facts kept Matilda in extreme
anxiety. For two years prior to her escape, the young trader had been
trying to influence his father to let him have her for the Southern
market; but the old man had not consented. Of course the trader knew
quite well, that an "article" of her appearance would command readily a
very high price in the New Orleans market. But Matilda's attractions had
won the heart of a young man in the North, one who had known her in
Baltimore in earlier days, and this lover was willing to make desperate
efforts to rescue her from her perilous situation. Whether or not he had
nerve enough to venture down to Baltimore to accompany his intended away
on the Underground Rail Road, his presence would not have aided in the
case. He had, however, a friend who consented to go to Baltimore on this
desperate mission. The friend was James Jefferson, of Providence, R.I.
With the strategy of a skilled soldier, Mr. Jefferson hurried to the
Monumental City, and almost under the eyes of the slave-holders, and
slave-catchers, despite of pro slavery breastworks, seized his prize and
speeded her away on the Underground Railway, before her owner was made
acquainted with the fact of her intended escape. On Matilda's arrival at
the station in Philadelphia, several other passengers from different
points, happened to come to hand just at that time, and gave great
solicitude and anxiety to the Committee. Among these were a man and his
wife and their four children, (noticed elsewhere), from Maryland.
Likewise an interesting and intelligent young girl who had been almost
miraculously rescued from the prison-house at Norfolk, and in addition
to these, the brother of J.W. Pennington, D.D., with his two sons.
While it was a great gratification to have travelers coming along so
fast, and especially to observe in every countenance, determination,
rare manly and womanly bearing, with remarkable intelligence, it must be
admitted, that the acting committee felt at the same time, a very lively
dread of the slave-hunters, and were on their guard. Arrangements were
made to send the fugitives on by different trains, and in various
directions. Matilda and all the others with the exception of the father
and two sons (relatives of Dr. Pennington) successfully escaped and
reached their longed-for haven in a free land. The Penningtons, however,
although pains had been taken to apprize the Doctor of the good news of
the coming of his kin, whom he had not seen for many, many years, were
captured after being in New York some twenty-four hours. In answer to an
advisory letter from the secretary of the Committee the following from
the Doctor is explicit, relative to his wishes and feelings with regard
to their being sent on to New York.