The passenger answering to the above name, left Indian Creek, Chester
Co., Md., where he had been held to service or labor, by Dr. James Muse.
One week had elapsed from the time he set out until his arrival in
Philadelphia. Although he had never enjoyed school privileges of any
kind, yet he was not devoid of intelligence. He had profited by his
daily experience as a slave, and withal, had managed to learn to read
and write a little, despite law and usage to the contrary. Sam was about
twenty-five years of age and by trade, a blacksmith. Before running
away, his general character for sobriety, industry, and religion, had
evidently been considered good, but in coveting his freedom and running
away to obtain it, he had sunk far below the utmost limit of forgiveness
or mercy in the estimation of the slave-holders of Indian Creek.
During his intercourse with the Vigilance Committee, while rejoicing
over his triumphant flight, he gave, with no appearance of excitement,
but calmly, and in a common-sense like manner, a brief description of
his master, which was entered on the record book substantially as
follows: "Dr. James Muse is thought by the servants to be the worst man
in Maryland, inflicting whipping and all manner of cruelties upon the
servants."
While Sam gave reasons for this sweeping charge, which left no room for
doubt, on the part of the Committee, of his sincerity and good judgment,
it was not deemed necessary to make a note of more of the doctor's
character than seemed actually needed, in order to show why "Sam" had
taken passage on the Underground Rail Road. For several years, "Sam" was
hired out by the doctor at blacksmithing; in this situation, daily
wearing the yoke of unrequited labor, through the kindness of Harriet
Tubman (sometimes called "Moses"), the light of the Underground Rail
Road and Canada suddenly illuminated his mind. It was new to him, but he
was quite too intelligent and liberty-loving, not to heed the valuable
information which this sister of humanity imparted. Thenceforth he was
in love with Canada, and likewise a decided admirer of the U.R. Road.
Harriet was herself, a shrewd and fearless agent, and well understood
the entire route from that part of the country to Canada. The spring
previous, she had paid a visit to the very neighborhood in which "Sam"
lived, expressly to lead her own brothers out of "Egypt." She succeeded.
To "Sam" this was cheering and glorious news, and he made up his mind,
that before a great while, Indian Creek should have one less slave and
that Canada should have one more citizen. Faithfully did he watch an
opportunity to carry out his resolution. In due time a good Providence
opened the way, and to "Sam's" satisfaction he reached Philadelphia,
having encountered no peculiar difficulties. The Committee, perceiving
that he was smart, active, and promising, encouraged his undertaking,
and having given him friendly advice, aided him in the usual manner.
Letters of introduction were given him, and he was duly forwarded on his
way. He had left his father, mother, and one sister behind. Samuel and
Catharine were the names of his parents. Thus far, his escape would seem
not to affect his parents, nor was it apparent that there was any other
cause why the owner should revenge himself upon them.
The father was an old local preacher in the Methodist Church--much
esteemed as an inoffensive, industrious man; earning his bread by the
sweat of his brow, and contriving to move along in the narrow road
allotted colored people bond or free, without exciting a spirit of ill
will in the pro-slavery power of his community. But the rancor awakened
in the breast of slave-holders in consequence of the high-handed step
the son had taken, brought the father under suspicion and hate. Under
the circumstances, the eye of Slavery could do nothing more than watch
for an occasion to pounce upon him. It was not long before the desired
opportunity presented itself. Moved by parental affection, the old man
concluded to pay a visit to his boy, to see how he was faring in a
distant land, and among strangers. This resolution he quietly carried
into effect. He found his son in Canada, doing well; industrious; a man
of sobriety, and following his father's footsteps religiously. That the
old man's heart was delighted with what his eyes saw and his ears heard
in Canada, none can doubt. But in the simplicity of his imagination, he
never dreamed that this visit was to be made the means of his
destruction. During the best portion of his days he had faithfully worn
the badge of Slavery, had afterwards purchased his freedom, and thus
become a free man. He innocently conceived the idea that he was doing no
harm in availing himself not only of his God-given rights, but of the
rights that he had also purchased by the hard toil of his own hands. But
the enemy was lurking in ambush for him--thirsting for his blood. To his
utter consternation, not long after his return from his visit to his son
"a party of gentlemen from the New Market district, went at night to
Green's house and made search, whereupon was found a copy of Uncle Tom's
Cabin, etc." This was enough--the hour had come, wherein to wreak
vengeance upon poor Green. The course pursued and the result, may be
seen in the following statement taken from the Cambridge (Md.),
"Democrat," of April 29th, 1857, and communicated by the writer to the
"Provincial Freeman."