(UNCLE OF JOHN HENRY HILL.)
Impelled by the love of freedom Hezekiah resolved that he would work no
longer for nothing; that he would never be sold on the auction block:
that he no longer would obey the bidding of a master, and that he would
die rather than be a slave. This decision, however, had only been
entertained by him a short time prior to his escape. For a number of
years Hezekiah had been laboring under the pleasing thought that he
should succeed in obtaining freedom through purchase, having had an
understanding with his owner with this object in view. At different
times he had paid on account for himself nineteen hundred dollars, six
hundred dollars more than he was to have paid according to the first
agreement. Although so shamefully defrauded in the first instance, he
concluded to bear the disappointment as patiently as possible and get
out of the lion's mouth as best he could.
He continued to work on and save his money until he had actually come
within one hundred dollars of paying two thousand. At this point instead
of getting his free papers, as he firmly believed that he should, to his
surprise one day he saw a notorious trader approaching the shop where he
was at work. The errand of the trader was soon made known. Hezekiah
simply requested time to go back to the other end of the shop to get his
coat, which he seized and ran. He was pursued but not captured. This
occurrence took place in Petersburg, Va., about the first of December,
1854. On the night of the same day of his escape from the trader,
Hezekiah walked to Richmond and was there secreted under a floor by a
friend. He was a tall man, of powerful muscular strength, about thirty
years of age just in the prime of his manhood with enough pluck for two
men.
A heavy reward was offered for him, but the hunters failed to find him
in this hiding-place under the floor. He strongly hoped to get away
soon; on several occasions he made efforts, but only to be disappointed.
At different times at least two captains had consented to afford him a
private passage to Philadelphia, but like the impotent man at the pool,
some one always got ahead of him. Two or three times he even managed to
reach the boat upon the river, but had to return to his horrible place
under the floor. Some were under the impression that he was an
exceedingly unlucky man, and for a time captains feared to bring him.
But his courage sustained him unwaveringly.
Finally at the expiration of thirteen months, a private passage was
procured for him on the steamship Pennsylvania, and with a little slave
boy, seven years of age, (the son of the man who had secreted him)
though placed in a very hard berth, he came safely to Philadelphia,
greatly to the astonishment of the Vigilance Committee, who had waited
for him so long that they had despaired of his ever coming.
The joy that filled Hezekiah's bosom may be imagined but never
described. None but one who had been in similar straits could enter into
his feelings.
He had left his wife Louisa, and two little boys, Henry and Manuel. His
passage cost one hundred dollars.
Hezekiah being a noted character, a number of the true friends were
invited to take him by the hand and to rejoice with him over his noble
struggles and his triumph; needing rest and recruiting, he was made
welcome to stay, at the expense of the committee, as long as he might
feel disposed so to do. He remained several days, and then went on to
Canada rejoicing. After arriving there he returned his acknowledgment
for favors received, &c., in the following letter:
TORONTO Jan 24th 1856.
MR. STILL:--this is to inform you that Myself and little boy,
arrived safely in this city this day the 24th, at ten o'clock
after a very long and pleasant trip. I had a great deal of
attention paid to me while on the way.
I owes a great deel of thanks to yourself and friends. I will
just say hare that when I arrived at New York, I found Mr. Gibbs
sick and could not be attended to there. However, I have arrived
alright.
You will please to give my respects to your friend that writes
in the office with you, and to Mr Smith, also Mr Brown, and the
friends, Mrs Still in particular.
Friend Still you will please to send the enclosed to John Hill
Petersburg I want him to send some things to me you will be so
kind as to send your direction to them, so that the things to
your care. if you do not see a convenient way to send it by
hands, you will please direct your letter to Phillip Ubank
Petersburg.