In my letters I did not write to my friends how they shall write
to me but in the letter that you write you will please to tell
them how they shall write to me.
HARRISON BELL AND DAUGHTER HARRIET ANN. Father and daughter were
fortunate enough to escape together from Norfolk, Va.
Harrison was just in the prime of life, forty years of age, stout made,
good features, but in height was rather below medium, was a man of more
than ordinary shrewdness, by trade he was a chandler. He alleged that he
had been used hard.
Harriet Ann was a well-grown girl of pleasant appearance, fourteen years
of age. Father and daughter had each different owners, one belonged to
James Snyder, the other to John G. Hodgson.
Harrison had been informed that his children were to be sold; to prevent
this shocking fate, he was prompted to escape. Several months previous
to finding a chance to make a safe flight, he secreted himself with his
children in Norfolk, and so remained up to the day he left, a passage
having been secured for them on one of the boats coming to Philadelphia.
While the records contain no definite account of other children, it is
evident that there were others, but what became of them is not known.
If at the time of their arrival, it had been imagined that the glorious
day of universal freedom was only about eight years off, doubtless much
fuller records would have been made of these struggling Underground Rail
Road passengers. If Harrison's relatives and friends, who suddenly
missed him and his daughter Harriet Ann, in the Spring of 1854, are
still ignorant of his whereabouts, this very brief account of their
arrival in Philadelphia, may be of some satisfaction to all concerned,
not excepting his old master, whom he had served so faithfully.
The Committee finding them in need, had the pleasure of furnishing them
with food, material aid and a carriage, with cheering words and letters
of introduction to friends on the road to Canada.
DANIEL DAVIS, ALIAS DAVID SMITH, ADAM NICHOLSON, ALIAS JOHN WYNKOOP,
REUBEN BOWLES, ALIAS CUNNIGAN, ARRIVED FROM HEDGEVILLE, VA.
Daniel was only about twenty, just at a capital age to make a bold
strike for freedom. The appearance and air of this young aspirant for
liberty indicated that he was not of the material to be held in chains.
He was a man of medium size, well-built, dark color, and intelligent.
Hon. Charles J. Fortner, M.C. was the reputed owner of this young
fugitive, but the honorable gentleman having no use for his services, or
because he may have profited more by hiring him out, Daniel was placed
in the employ of a farmer, by the name of Adam Quigley. It was at this
time he resolved that he would not be a slave any longer. He declared
that Quigley was a "very mean man," one for whom he had no respect
whatever. Indeed he felt that the system of Slavery was an abomination
in any form it might be viewed. While he was yet so young, he had pretty
clear views with regard to Slavery, and remembered with feelings of deep
indignation, how his father had been sold when he himself was a boy,
just as a horse might have been sold; and how his mother was dragging
her chains in Slavery, up to the hour he fled. Thus in company with his
two companions he was prepared for any sacrifice.
Adam'S tale is soon told; all that is on the old record in addition to
his full name, is in the following words: "Adam is dark, rugged and
sensible, and was owned by Alexander Hill, a drunkard, gambler, &c."
Reuben had been hired out to John Sabbard near Hedgeville. Startled at
hearing that he was to be sold, he was led to consider the propriety of
seeking flight via the Underground Rail Road. These three young men were
all fine specimens of farm hands, and possessed more than average common
sense, considering the oppression they had to labor under. They walked
the entire distance from Hedgeville, Va., to Greenville, Pa. There they
took the cars and walked no more. They appeared travel-worn, garments
dirty, and forlorn; but the Committee had them cleanly washed, hair cut
and shaved, change of clothing furnished, &c., which at once made them
look like very different men. Means were appropriated to send them on
free of cost.
JAMES STEWART, _alias_ WM. JACKSON. James had been made acquainted with
the Peculiar Institution in Fauquier county, Va. Being of sound judgment
and firm resolution, he became an enemy to Slavery at a very early age;
so much so, that by the time he was twenty-one he was willing to put
into practice his views of the system by leaving it and going where all
men are free. Very different indeed were these notions, from those held
by his owner, Wm. Rose, who believed in Slavery for the black man. So as
James could neither enjoy his freedom nor express his opinion in
Virginia, he determined, that he had better get a passage on the
Underground Rail Road, and leave the land of Slavery and the obnoxious
sentiments of his master. He, of course, saw formidable difficulties to
be encountered all the way along in escaping, but these, he considered,
would be more easy for him to overcome than it would be for him to learn
the lesson--"Servants, obey your masters." The very idea made James
sick. This, therefore, was the secret of his escape.
HARRIET HALEY, _alias_ ANN RICHARDSON, AND ELIZABETH HALEY, _alias_
SARAH RICHARDSON. These travelers succeeded in escaping from Geo. C.
Davis, of Harford county, Md. In order to carry out their plans, they
took advantage of Whitsuntide, a holiday, and with marked ingenuity and
perseverance, they managed to escape and reach Quakertown Underground
Rail Road Station without obstruction, where protection and assistance
were rendered by the friends of the cause. After abiding there for a
short time, they were forwarded to the Committee in Philadelphia. Their
ages ranged from nineteen to twenty-one, and they were apparently
"servants" of a very superior order. The pleasure it afforded to aid
such young women in escaping from a condition so loathsome as that of
Slavery in Maryland, was unalloyed.
BENJAMIN DUNCANS, _alias_ GEORGE SCOTT. This individual was in bonds
under Thomas Jeffries, who was a firm believer in the doctrine:
"Servants, obey your masters," and, furthermore, while laboring "pretty
hard" to make Benjamin a convert to this idea, he had made Benjamin's
lot anything else than smooth. This treatment on the part of the master
made a wise and resolute man of the Slave. For as he looked earnestly
into the fact, that he was only regarded by his owner in the light of an
ox, or an ass, his manhood rebelled straightway, and the true light of
freedom told him, that he must be willing to labor, and endure suffering
for the great prize, liberty. So, in company with five others, at an
appointed time, he set out for freedom, and succeeded. The others,
alluded to, passed on to Canada direct. Benjamin was induced to stop a
few months in Pennsylvania, during which time he occupied himself in
farming. He looked as if he was well able to do a full day's work at
this occupation. He was about twenty-five years of age, of unmixed
blood, and wore a pleasant countenance.
MOSES WINES. Portsmouth, Va., lost one of her most substantial laborers
in the person of Moses, and Madam Abigail Wheeler, a very "likely
article" of merchandise. "No complaint" as to "ill treatment" was made
by Moses against "Miss Abigail." The truth was, he admitted, that he had
been used in a "mild way." With some degree of pride, he stated that he
"had never been flogged." But, for the "last fifteen years, he had been
favored with the exalted privilege of 'hiring' his time at the
'reasonable' sum of $12 per month." As he stood pledged to have this
amount always ready, "whether sick or well," at the end of the month,
his mistress "never neglected to be in readiness to receive it" to the
last cent. In this way Moses was taught to be exceedingly punctual. Who
would not commend such a mistress for the punctuality, if nothing more?
But as smoothly as matters seemed to be going along, the mischievous
idea crept into Moses' head, that he ought to have some of the money
claimed by his "kind" mistress, and at the same time, the thought would
often forcibly press upon his mind that he might any day be sold. In
addition to this unpleasant prospect, Virginia had just about that time
passed a law "prohibiting Slaves from hiring their time"--also, a number
of "new Police rules with reference to Slaves and free colored people,"
all of which, the "humane Slave-holders" of that "liberal State,"
regarded as highly essential both for the "protection and safety of
Master and Slave." But the stupid-headed Moses was not pleased with
these arrangements. In common with many of the Slaves, he smarted
severely under his heavy oppression, and felt that it was similar to an
old rule, which had been once tried under Pharaoh--namely, when the
children of Israel were required to "make bricks without straw." But
Moses was not a fit subject to submit to be ruled so inhumanly.
Despite the beautiful sermons he had often listened to in favor of
Slavery, and the many wise laws, above alluded to, he could not
reconcile himself to his condition. The laws and preaching were alike as
"sounding brass, and tinkling cymbals" to him. He made up his mind,
therefore, that he must try a free country; that his manhood required
him to make the effort at once, even at the risk of life. Father and
husband, as he was, and loving his wife, Grace, and son, Alphonso,
tenderly as he did, he nevertheless felt himself to be in chains, and
that he could do but little for them by remaining. He conceived that, if
he could succeed in gaining his freedom, he might possibly aid them away
also. With this hope in him, he contrived to secure a private passage on
the steamship City of Richmond, and in this way reached Philadelphia,
but not without suffering fearfully the entire journey through, owing to
the narrowness of the space into which he was obliged to be stowed in
order to get away.
Moses was a man of medium size, quite dark, and gave promise of being
capable of taking care of himself in freedom. He had seen much of the
cruelties of Slavery inflicted upon others in various forms, which he
related in a way to make one shudder; but these incidents were not
recorded in the book at the time.
SARAH SMITH, alias MILDRETH PAGE, and her daughter, nine years of age.
Sarah and her child were held to service by the Rev. A.D. Pollock, a
resident of Wilmington, Del. Until about nine months before she escaped
from the Reverend gentleman, she was owned by Mrs. Elizabeth Lee of
Fauquier Co., Va., who had moved with Sarah to Wilmington. How Mr.
Pollock came by Sarah is not stated on the records; perhaps by marriage;
be that as it may, it was owing to ill treatment from her mistress that
Sarah "took out" with her child. Sarah was a woman of becoming manners,
of a dark brown complexion, and looked as though she might do a fair
share of housework, if treated well. As it required no great effort to
escape from Wilmington, where the watchful Garrett lived, she reached
the Committee in Philadelphia without much difficulty, received
assistance and was sent on her way rejoicing.
LUCY GARRETT, alias JULIA WOOD. John Williams, who was said to be a
"very cruel man," residing on the Western Shore of Va., claimed Lucy as
his chattel personal. Julia, having a lively sense of his meanness stood
much in fear of being sold; having seen her father, three sisters, and
two brothers, disposed of at auction, she was daily on the look-out for
her turn to come next. The good spirit of freedom made the way plain to
her by which an escape could be effected. Being about nineteen years of
age, she felt that she had served in Slavery long enough. She resolved
to start immediately, and did so, and succeeded in reaching
Pennsylvania. Her appearance recommended her so well, that she was
prevailed upon to remain and accept a situation in the family of Joseph
A. Dugdale, so well known in reformatory circles, as an ardent friend of
humanity. While in his family she gave great satisfaction, and was much
esteemed for uprightness and industry. But this place was not Canada,
so, when it was deemed best, she was sent on.
ELLEN FORMAN, alias ELIZABETH YOUNG. Ellen had formerly been owned by
Dr. Thomas, of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but about one year before
escaping, she was bought by a lady living in Baltimore known by the name
of Mrs. Johnson. Ellen was about thirty years of age, of slender
stature, and of a dark brown complexion. The record makes no mention of
cruel treatment or very hard usage, as a slave. From traveling,
probably, she had contracted a very heavy cold, which threatened her
with consumption. The Committee cheerfully rendered her assistance.
WILLIAM WOODEN, alias WILLIAM NELSON. While Delaware was not far from
freedom, and while Slavery was considered to exist there comparatively
in a mild form, nevertheless, what with the impenetrable ignorance in
which it was the wont of pro-slavery whites to keep the slaves, and the
unwillingness on the part of slave-holders generally to conform to the
spirit of progress going on in the adjacent State of Pennsylvania, it
was wonderful how the slaves saw through the thick darkness thus
prevailing, and how wide-awake they were to escape.
It was from this State, that William Wooden fled. True, William was said
to belong to Judge Wooden, of Georgetown, Del., but, according to the
story of his "chattel," the Judge was not of the class who judged
righteously. He had not only treated William badly, but he had
threatened to sell him. This was the bitter pill which constrained
William to "take out." The threat seemed hard at first, but its effect
was excellent for this young man; it was the cause of his obtaining his
freedom at the age of twenty-three. William was a tall, well-built man,
of dark complexion and promising. No further particulars concerning him
are on the records.
JAMES EDWARD HANDY, _alias_ DANIEL CANON. At Seaford, Delaware, James
was held in bonds under a Slave-holder called Samuel Lewis, who followed
farming. Lewis was not satisfied with working James hard and keeping all
his earnings, but would insolently talk occasionally of handing him
"over to the trader." This "stirred James' blood" and aroused his
courage to the "sticking point." Nothing could induce him to remain. He
had the name of having a wife and four children, but according to the
Laws of Delaware, he only had a nominal right in them. They were
"legally the property of Capt. Martin." Therefore they were all left in
the hands of Capt. Martin. The wife's name was Harriet Delaney, _alias_
Smart Stanley. James Henry Delaney came as a fellow-traveler with James
Edward. He had experienced oppression under Capt. Martin, and as a
witness, was prepared to testify, that Martin "ill-treated his Slaves,
especially with regard to the diet, which was very poor." Nevertheless
James was a stout, heavy-built young man of twenty-six years of age, and
looked as if he might have a great deal of valuable work in him. He was
a single man.
JAMES HENRY BLACKSON. James Henry had only reached twenty-five, when he
came to the "conclusion, that he had served long enough under bondage
for the benefit of Charles Wright." This was about all of the excuse he
seemed to have for escaping. He was a fine specimen of a man, so far as
physical strength and muscular power were concerned. Very little was
recorded of him.
GEORGE FREELAND. It was only by the most indomitable resolution and
perseverance, that Freeland threw off the yoke. Capt. John Pollard of
Petersburg, Va., held George to service. As a Slave-holder, Pollard
belonged to that class, who did not believe in granting favors to
Slaves. On the contrary, he was practically in favor of wringing every
drop of blood from their bodies.
George was a spare-built man, about twenty-five years of age, quite
dark, but had considerable intelligence. He could read and write very
well, but how he acquired these arts is not known. In testifying against
his master, George used very strong language. He declared that Pollard
"thought no more of his servants than if they had been dogs. He was very
mean. He gave nothing to his servants. He has given me only one pair of
shoes the last ten years." After careful inquiry, George learned that he
could get a private passage on the City of Richmond, if he could raise
the passage money. This he could do cheerfully. He raised "sixty
dollars" for the individual who was to "secrete him on the boat." In
leaving the land of Slave auctions, whips and chains, he was obliged to
leave his mother and father and two brothers in Petersburg. Pollard had
been offered $1,500 for George. Doubtless he found, when he discovered
George had gone, that he had "overstood the market." This was what
produced action prompt and decisive on the part of George. So the old
adage, in this case, was verified--"It's an ill wind that blows nobody
any good."
On arriving in Canada, George did not forget to express gratitude to
those who aided him on his road there, as the following note will show:
SINCATHANS, canada west.
Brother Still:--I im brace this opportunity of pening you a few
lines to in form you that I am well at present & in hopes to
find you & family well also I hope that god Will Bless you & and
your family & if I never should meet you in this world I hope to
meet you in glory Remember my love to Brother Brown & tell him
that I am well & hearty tell him to writ Thomas word that I am
well at present you must excuse me I will Rite when I return
from the west.