William Henry was also a fellow-passenger on the same boat with William
B. White and Susan Cooke. These might be set down, as first-class
Underground Rail Road travelers.
Henry was a very likely-looking article. He was quite smart, about six
feet high, a dark mulatto, and was owned by a Baptist minister.
For some cause not stated on the books, not long before leaving, Henry
had received a notice from his owner, (the Baptist Minister) that he
might hunt himself a new master as soon as possible. This was a business
that Henry had no relish for. The owner he already had, he concluded bad
enough in all conscience, and it did not occur to him that hunting
another would mend the matter much. So in thinking over the situation,
he was "taken sick." He felt the need of a little time to reflect upon
matters of very weighty moment involving his freedom. So when he was
called upon one day to go to his regular toil, the answer was, "I am
sick, I am not able to budge hardly." The excuse took and Henry attended
faithfully to his "sick business," for the time being, while on the
other hand, the Baptist Minister waited patiently all the while for
William to get well enough for hunting a new master. What had to be
done, needed to be done quickly, before his master's patience was
exhausted. William soon had matters arranged for traveling North. He had
a wife, Eliza, for whom he felt the greatest affection; but as he viewed
matters at that time, he concluded that he could really do more for her
in Canada than he could in Norfolk. He saw no chance, either under the
Baptist minister, or under a new master. His wife was owned by Susan
Langely. When the hour arrived to start, as brave men usually do, Henry,
having counted all the cost, was in his place on the boat with his face
towards Canada.
How he looked at matters on John Bull's side of the house, letters from
Henry will abundantly reveal as follows:
ST. CATHARINES, August 4, 1854.
MY DEAR SIR:--It is with plesure that I now take my pen to
inform you that I am well at present and I hope that these few
lines may find you injoying good health, and will you plese to
be so kind as to send a leter down home for me if you plese to
my wife, the reason that I beg the favor of you I have written
to you several times and never recieve no answer, she don't no
whar I am at I would like her to no, if it is posible elizeran
Actkins, and when you write will you plese to send me all the
news, give my respect to all the fambley and allso to Mr lundey
and his fambley and tell him plese to send me those books if you
plese the first chance you can git. Mrs. Wood sends her love to
Mr. Still answer this as soon as on hand, the boys all send
their love to all, the reason why i sends for a answer write
away i expect to live this and go up west nex mounth not to stay
to git some land, i have no more at present, i remain your
friend.