WM. ROBINSON, _alias_ THOS. HARRED. William gave satisfactory evidence,
at first sight, that he was opposed to the unrequited labor system _in
toto_, and even hated still more the flogging practices of the chivalry.
Although he had reached his twenty-eighth year, and was a truly fair
specimen of his race, considering his opportunities, a few days before
William left, the overseer on the plantation attempted to flog him, but
did not succeed. William's manhood was aroused, and he flogged the
overseer soundly, if what he averred was true. The name of William's
owner was John G. Beale, Esq., of Fauquier county, Va. Beale was
considered to be a man of wealth, and had invested in Slave stock to the
number of seventy head. According to William's account of Beale, he was
a "hard man and thought no more of his black people than he did of
dogs." When William entered upon the undertaking of freeing himself from
Beale's barbarism, he had but one dollar and twenty-five cents in his
possession; but he had physical strength and a determined mind, and
being heartily sick of Slavery, he was willing to make the trial, even
at the cost of life. Thus hopeful, he prosecuted his journey with
success through strange regions of country, with but little aid or
encouragement before reaching Philadelphia. This feat, however, was not
performed without getting lost by the way. On arriving, his shoes were
gone, and his feet were severely travel-worn. The Committee rendered
needed aid, etc., and sent William on to Canada to work for himself, and
to be recognized as a subject of Great Britain.
EDWARD PEADEN AND WIFE HARRIET, AND SISTER CELIA. This man and his wife
and wife's sister were a nice-looking trio, but they brought quite a sad
story with them: the sale of their children, six in number. The auction
block had made such sad havoc among them, that no room was left to hope,
that their situation would ever be improved by remaining. Indeed they
had been under a very gloomy cloud for some time previous to leaving,
fearing that the auction block was shortly to be their doom. To escape
this fate, they were constrained to "secrete themselves for one month,"
until an opportunity offered them to secure a passage on a boat coming
to Philadelphia. Edward (the husband), was about forty-four years of
age, of a dark color, well made, full face, pleasant countenance, and
talked fluently. Dr. Price claimed him as his personal property, and
exacted all his hire and labor. For twelve years he had been hired out
for $100 per annum. Harriet, the wife of Edward, belonged to David
Baines, of Norfolk. Her general appearance indicated, that nature had
favored her physically and mentally, although being subjected to the
drudgery of Slave life, with no advantages for development, she was
simply a living testimony to the crushing influence of Slavery--with a
heart never free from the saddened recollection of the auction block, on
which all of her children had been sacrificed, "one by one." Celia, the
sister, also belonged to D. Baines, and was kept hired out--was last in
the service of the Mayor of Norfolk. Of her story nothing of any moment
was recorded. On their arrival in Philadelphia, as usual they were
handed over to the Committee, and their wants were met.
WILLIAM DAVIS. All that the records contain of William is as follows: He
left Emmitsburg, Md., the previous Friday night, where he had been held
by Dr. James Shoul. William is thirty-two years of age, dark color,
rather below medium stature. With regard to his slave life, he declared
that he had been "roughly used." Besides, for some time before escaping,
he felt that his owner was in the "notion of trading" him off. The fear
that this apprehended notion would be carried into execution, was what
prompted him to leave his master.
ALEXANDER BOGGS, alias JOHNSON HENSON. This subject was under the
ownership of a certain John Ernie, who lived about three miles from
Baltimore. Mr. Ernie had only been in possession of the wayward
Alexander three weeks, having purchased him of a trader named Dennit,
for $550. This was not the first time, however, that he had experienced
the trouble of changing masters, in consequence of having been sold.
Previously to his being disposed of by the trader Dennit, he had been
owned by Senator Merrick, who had the misfortune to fail in business, in
consequence whereof, his slaves had all to be sold and Alexander with
the rest, away from his wife, Caroline, and two children, James and
Eliezer.
This was a case that appealed for sympathy and aid, which were
cheerfully rendered by the Committee. Alexander was about fifty years of
age, of dark color. On the Records no account of cruel treatment is
found, other than being sold, &c.
JOHN BROWN, alias JACOB WILLIAMS, arrived from Fredericktown, Md., where
he had been working under the yoke of Joseph Postly. John was a young
man of twenty-nine years of age. Up to the hour of his escape, his lot
had been that of an ordinary slave. Indeed, he had much less to complain
of with reference to usage than most slaves; the only thing in this
respect the records contain, is simply a charge, that his master
threatened to sell him. But this did not seem to have been the motive
which prompted John to take leave of his master. Although untutored, he
had mind enough to comprehend that Postly had no right to oppress him,
and wrong him out of his hire. John concluded that he would not stand
such treatment any longer, and made up his mind to leave for Canada.
After due examination the Committee, finding his story reasonable, gave
him the usual assistance, advice and instruction, and sent him on
Canada-ward.
SAMUEL SLATER, alias PATTERSON SMITH, came from a place called Power
Bridge, Md. He gave a satisfactory account of himself, and was commended
for having wisely left his master, William Martin, to earn his bread by
the sweat of his own brow. Martin had held up the vision of the
auction-block before Sam; this was enough. Sam saw that it was time for
him to be getting out of danger's way without delay, so he presumed, if
others could manage to escape, he could too. And he succeeded. He was a
stout man, about twenty-nine years of age, of dark complexion. No
particular mention of ill treatment is found on the Records.
After arriving in Canada, his heart turned with deep interest and
affection to those left in the prison-house, as the following letter
indicates.
ST. CATHRINES Oct 29th.
MY DEAR FRIEND:--yours of the 15th came to hand and I was glad
to hea from you and your dear family were well and the reason
that I did not write sooner I expected get a letter from my
brother in pennsylvania but I have not received any as yet when
I wrote last I directed my letter to philip scott minister of
the asbury church baltimore and that was the reason that I
thought it strange I did not get an answer but I did not put my
brother name to it I made arrangements before I left home with a
family of smiths that I was to write to and the letter that I
enclose in this I want you to direct it to D Philip scott in his
care for mrs cassey Jackson Duke Jacksons wife and she will give
to Priana smith or Sarah Jane Smith those are the persons I wish
to write to I wish you to write on as quick as you can and let
them know that there is a lady coming on by the name of mrs
Holonsworth and she will call and see you and you will find her
a very interesting and inteligent person one worthy of respect
and esteem and a high reputation I must now bring my letter to a
close no more at present but remain your humble servant