Mr. and Mrs. Hill desire their best respects to you and Mrs.
Still.
It cannot be denied that this is a most extraordinary occurrence. In
some respects it is without a parallel. It was, however, no uncommon
thing for white men (slave-holders) in the South to have colored wives
and children whom, they did not hesitate to live with and acknowledge by
their actions, with their means, and in their wills as the rightful
heirs of their substance. Probably there is not a state in the Union
where such relations have not existed. Seeing such usages, Mary might
have reasoned that she had as good a right to marry the one she loved
most as anybody else, particularly as she was in a "free country."
* * * * *
"SAM" NIXON ALIAS DR. THOMAS BAYNE.
THE ESCAPE OF A DENTIST ON THE U.G.R.R.--HE IS TAKEN FOR AN
IMPOSTOR--ELECTED A MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL IN NEW BEDFORD--STUDYING
MEDICINE, ETC. But few could be found among the Underground Rail Road
passengers who had a stronger repugnance to the unrequited labor system,
or the recognized terms of "master and slave," than Dr. Thomas Bayne.
Nor were many to be found who were more fearless and independent in
uttering their sentiments. His place of bondage was in the city of
Norfolk, Va., where he was held to service by Dr. C.F. Martin, a dentist
of some celebrity. While with Dr. Martin, "Sam" learned dentistry in all
its branches, and was often required by his master, the doctor, to
fulfil professional engagements, both at home and at a distance, when it
did not suit his pleasure or convenience to appear in person. In the
mechanical department, especially, "Sam" was called upon to execute the
most difficult tasks. This was not the testimony of "Sam" alone; various
individuals who were with him in Norfolk, but had moved to Philadelphia,
and were living there at the time of his arrival, being invited to see
this distinguished professional piece of property, gave evidence which
fully corroborated his. The master's professional practice, according to
"Sam's" calculation, was worth $3,000 per annum. Full $1,000 of this
amount in the opinion of "Sam" was the result of his own fettered hands.
Not only was "Sam" serviceable to the doctor in the mechanical and
practical branches of his profession, but as a sort of ready reckoner
and an apt penman, he was obviously considered by the doctor, a valuable
"article." He would frequently have "Sam" at his books instead of a
book-keeper. Of course, "Sam" had never received, from Dr. M., an hour's
schooling in his life, but having perceptive faculties naturally very
large, combined with much self-esteem, he could hardly help learning
readily. Had his master's design to keep him in ignorance been ever so
great, he would have found it a labor beyond his power. But there is no
reason to suppose that Dr. Martin was opposed to Sam's learning to read
and write. We are pleased to note that no charges of ill-treatment are
found recorded against Dr. M. in the narrative of "Sam."
True, it appears that he had been sold several times in his younger
days, and had consequently been made to feel keenly, the smarts of
Slavery, but nothing of this kind was charged against Dr. M., so that he
may be set down as a pretty fair man, for aught that is known to the
contrary, with the exception of depriving "Sam" of the just reward of
his labor, which, according to St. James, is pronounced a "fraud." The
doctor did not keep "Sam" so closely confined to dentistry and
book-keeping that he had no time to attend occasionally to outside
duties. It appears that he was quite active and successful as an
Underground Rail Road agent, and rendered important aid in various
directions. Indeed, Sam had good reason to suspect that the
slave-holders were watching him, and that if he remained, he would most
likely find himself in "hot water up to his eyes." Wisdom dictated that
he should "pull up stakes" and depart while the way was open. He knew
the captains who were then in the habit of taking similar passengers,
but he had some fears that they might not be able to pursue the business
much longer. In contemplating the change which he was about to make,
"Sam" felt it necessary to keep his movements strictly private. Not even
was he at liberty to break his mind to his wife and child, fearing that
it would do them no good, and might prove his utter failure. His wife's
name was Edna and his daughter was called Elizabeth; both were slaves
and owned by E.P. Tabb, Esq., a hardware merchant of Norfolk.
No mention is made on the books, of ill-treatment, in connection with
his wife's servitude; it may therefore be inferred, that her situation
was not remarkably hard. It must not be supposed that "Sam" was not
truly attached to his wife. He gave abundant proof of true matrimonial
devotion, notwithstanding the secrecy of his arrangements for flight.
Being naturally hopeful, he concluded that he could better succeed in
securing his wife after obtaining freedom himself, than in undertaking
the task beforehand.
The captain had two or three other Underground Rail Road male passengers
to bring with him, besides "Sam," for whom, arrangements had been
previously made--no more could be brought that trip. At the appointed
time, the passengers were at the disposal of the captain of the schooner
which was to bring them out of Slavery into freedom. Fully aware of the
dangerous consequences should he be detected, the captain, faithful to
his promise, secreted them in the usual manner, and set sail northward.
Instead of landing his passengers in Philadelphia, as was his intention,
for some reason or other (the schooner may have been disabled), he
landed them on the New Jersey coast, not a great distance from Cape
Island. He directed them how to reach Philadelphia. Sam knew of friends
in the city, and straightway used his ready pen to make known the
distress of himself and partners in tribulation. In making their way in
the direction of their destined haven, they reached Salem, New Jersey,
where they were discovered to be strangers and fugitives, and were
directed to Abigail Goodwin, a Quaker lady, an abolitionist, long noted
for her devotion to the cause of freedom, and one of the most liberal
and faithful friends of the Vigilance Committee of Philadelphia.
This friend's opportunities of witnessing fresh arrivals had been rare,
and perhaps she had never before come in contact with a "chattel" so
smart as "Sam." Consequently she was much embarrassed when she heard his
story, especially when he talked of his experience as a "Dentist." She
was inclined to suspect that he was a "shrewd impostor" that needed
"watching" instead of aiding. But her humanity forbade a hasty decision
on this point. She was soon persuaded to render him some assistance,
notwithstanding her apprehensions. While tarrying a day or two in Salem,
"Sam's" letter was received in Philadelphia. Friend Goodwin was written
to in the meantime, by a member of the Committee, directly with a view
of making inquires concerning the stray fugitives, and at the same time
to inform her as to how they happened to be coming in the direction
found by her. While the mind of the friend was much relieved by the
letter she received, she was still in some doubt, as will be seen by the
appended extract from a letter on the subject: