The man who came to us as Wm. Nelson, is now known only as "Thomas
Russell." It may here be remarked, that, owing to the general custom of
changing names, as here instanced, it is found difficult to tell to whom
the letters severally refer. Where the old and new names were both
carefully entered on the book there is no difficulty, of course, but it
was not always thus.
Susan Bell, the wife of William, was about thirty years of age, of a
dark color, rather above medium size, well-made, good-looking, and
intelligent--quite equal to her husband, and appeared to have his
affections undividedly. She was owned by Thomas Baltimore, with whom she
had lived for the last seven years. She stated that during a part of her
life she had been treated in a "mild manner." She had no complaint to
make until after the marriage of her master. Under the new wife and
mistress, Susan found a very marked change for the worse. She fared
badly enough then. The mistress, on every trifling occasion for
complaint, was disposed to hold the auction-block up to Susan, and would
likewise influence her husband to do the same. From the fact, that four
of Susan's sisters had been sold away to "parts unknown," she was not
prepared to relish these almost daily threats from her irritable
mistress, so she became as anxious for a trip on the Underground Rail
Road as was her husband.
About one hundred miles away in the country, her father, mother, three
brothers, and one sister were living; but she felt that she could not
remain a slave on their account. Susan's owner had already fixed a price
on her and her child, twenty-two months old, which was one thousand
dollars. From this fate she was saved only by her firm resolution to
seek her freedom.
Louisa Bell was also of Wm. Nelson's party, and a fair specimen of a
nice-looking, wide awake woman; of a chestnut color, twenty-eight years
of age. She was the wife of a free man, but the slave of L. Stasson, a
confectioner. The almost constant ringing in her ears of the
auction-block, made her most miserable, especially as she had once
suffered terribly by being sold, and had likewise seen her mother, and
five sisters placed in the same unhappy situation, the thought of which
never ceased to be most painful. In reflecting upon the course which she
was about to pursue in order to free herself from the prison-house, she
felt more keenly than ever for her little children, and readily imagined
how sadly she would mourn while thinking of them hundreds of miles
distant, growing up only to be slaves. And particularly would her
thoughts dwell upon her boy, six years of age; full old enough to feel
deeply the loss of his mother, but without hope of ever seeing her
again.
Heart-breaking as were these reflections, she resolved to leave Robert
and Mary in the hands of God, and escape, if possible from her terrible
thraldom. Her plan was submitted to her husband; he acquiesced fully and
promised to follow her as soon as an opportunity might present itself.
Although the ordeal that she was called upon to pass through was of the
most trying nature she bravely endured the journey through to Canada. On
her arrival there the Rev. H. Wilson wrote on behalf of herself, and the
cause as follows:
ST. CATHERINES, C.W. July 6th, 1855.
DEAR BR. STILL:--I have just received your letters touching
U.G.R.R. operations. All is right. Jasper and Mrs. Bell got here
on Saturday last, and I think I dropt you a line announcing the
fact. I write again thus soon because two more by name of Smith,
John and Wm., have arrived the present week and were anxious to
have me inform you that they are safely landed and free in this
refuge land. They wish me to communicate their kind regards to
you and others who have aided them. They have found employment
and are likely to do well. The 5 of last week have gone over to
Toronto. I gave them letters to a friend there after furnishing
them as well as I could with such clothing as they required. I
am afraid that I am burdening you too much with postage, but
can't help doing so unless I fail to write at all, as my means
are not half equal to the expenses to which I am subject.
Faithfully and truly yours,