Elias Jasper, who was also a fellow-passenger with Wm. Nelson and Co.,
was noticed thus on the Underground Rail Road: Age thirty-two years,
color dark, features good, and gifted both with his tongue and hands. He
had worked more or less at the following trades: Rope-making,
carpentering, engineering, and photographing. It was in this latter
calling that he was engaged when the Underground Rail Road movement
first arrested his attention, and so continued until his departure.
For several years he had been accustomed to hire his time, for which he
had been required to pay $10 per month. In acquiring the above trades he
had been at no expense to his master, as he had learned them solely by
his own perseverance, endowed as he was with a considerable share of
genius. Occasionally he paid for lessons, the money being earned by his
over-work. His master, Bayham, was a "retired gentleman."
Elias had been sold once, and had suffered in various other ways,
particularly from being flogged. He left his wife, Mary, but no child.
Of his intention to leave Elias saw not how to impart to his wife, lest
she should in some way let the "cat out of the bag." She was owned by a
Miss Portlock, and had been treated "tolerably well," having had the
privilege of hiring her time. She had $55 to pay for this favor, which
amount she raised by washing, etc. Elias was a member of the Methodist
Church, as were all of his comrades, and well did they remember the
oft-repeated lesson, "Servants obey your masters," etc. They soon
understood this kind of preaching after breathing free air. The market
value of Elias was placed at $1200.
Arrival, No. 4. Maria Joiner. Captain F. arrived, from Norfolk, with the
above named passenger, the way not being open to risk any other on that
occasion. This seemed rather slow business with this voyager, for he was
usually accustomed to bringing more than one. However, as this arrival
was only one day later than the preceding one noticed, and came from the
same place, the Committee concluded, that they had much reason for
rejoicing nevertheless. As in the case of a great number among the
oppressed of the South, when simply looking at Maria, no visible marks
of ill usage in any way were discernible. Indeed, as she then appeared
at the age of thirty-three, a fine, fresh, and healthy-looking mulatto
woman, nine out of every ten would have been impressed with the idea,
that she had never been subjected to hard treatment; in other words,
that she had derived her full share of advantages from the "Patriarchal
Institution." The appearance of just such persons in Southern cities had
often led Northerners, when traveling in those parts, to regard the lot
of slaves as quite comfortable. But the story of Maria, told in an
earnest and intelligent manner, was at once calculated to dissipate the
idea of a "comfortable" existence in a state of bondage. She frankly
admitted, however, that prior to the death of her old master, she was
favorably treated, compared with many others; but, unfortunately, after
his death, she had fallen into the hands of one of the old man's
daughters, from whom, she declared, that she had received continued
abuse, especially when said daughter was under the influence of liquor.
At such times she was very violent. Being spirited, Maria could not
consent to suffer on as a slave in this manner. Consequently she began
to cogitate how she might escape from her mistress (Catharine Gordon),
and reach a free State. None other than the usual trying and hazardous
ways could be devised--which was either to be stowed away in the hold of
a schooner, or concealed amongst the rubbish of a steamer, where, for
the time being, the extreme suffering was sure to tax every nerve even
of the most valiant-hearted men. The daily darkening prospects
constrained her to decide, that she was willing to suffer, not only in
adopting this mode of travel, but on the other hand, that she had better
be dead than remain under so cruel a woman as her mistress. Maria's
husband and sister (no other relatives are noticed), were naturally
formidable barriers in the way of her escape. Notwithstanding her
attachment to them, she fully made up her mind to be free. Immediately
she took the first prerequisite step, which was to repair to a place of
concealment with a friend in the city, and there, like the man at the
pool, wait until her turn came to be conveyed thence to a free State. In
this place she was obliged to wait eight long months, enduring daily
suffering in various ways, especially during the winter season. But,
with martyr-like faith, she endured to the end, and was eventually saved
from the hell of Slavery. Maria was appraised at $800.
Arrival No. 5. Richard Green, alias Wm. Smith, and his brother George.
These young brothers fled from George Chambers of Baltimore. The elder
brother was twenty-five, the younger twenty-three. Both were tall and
well made and of a chestnut color, and possessed a good degree of
natural ability. When desiring to visit their parents, their request was
positively refused by their owner. Taking offence at this step, both
mutually resolved to run away at the earliest opportunity. Thus in
accordance with well premeditated plans, they set out and unobstructedly
arrived in Philadelphia. At first it was simply very pleasant to take
them by the hand and welcome them; then to listen for a few moments to
their intelligent narration of how they escaped, the motives that
prompted them, etc. But further inquiries soon brought out incidents of
the most thrilling and touching nature--not with regard to hardships
which they had personally experienced, but in relation to outrages which
had been perpetrated upon their mother. Such simple facts as were then
written are substantially as follows: Nearly thirty years prior to the
escape of Richard and his brother their mother was in very bad health,
so much so that physicians regarded her incurable. Her owner was
evidently fully impressed with the belief that instead of being
profitable to him, she might be an expense, which he could not possibly
obviate, while he retained her as a slave. Now there was a way to get
out of this dilemma. He could emancipate her and throw the
responsibility of her support upon, herself. Accordingly he drew up
papers, called for his wife's mother to witness them, then formally put
them into the hands of the invalid slave woman (Dinah), assuring her at
the same time, that she was free--being fully released as set forth in
her papers. "Take notice I have no more claim on you nor you on me from
this time." Marvellous liberality! After working the life out of a
woman, in order that he should not have her to bury, he becomes hastily
in favor of freedom. He is, however, justified by the laws of Maryland.
Complaint, therefore, would simply amount to nothing. In the nature of
the case Dinah was now free, but she was not wholly alone in the world.
She had a husband, named Jacob Green, who was owned by Nathan Childs for
a term of years only, at the expiration of which time he was to be free.
All lived then in Talbot county, Md. At the appointed time Jacob's
bondage ended, and he concluded that he might succeed better by moving
to Baltimore. Indeed the health of his wife was so miserable that
nothing in his old home seemed to offer any inducement in the way of a
livelihood. So off they moved to Baltimore. After a time, under careful
and kind treatment, the faithful Jacob was greatly encouraged by
perceiving that the health of his companion was gradually
improving--signs indicated, that she might yet become a well woman. The
hopes of husband and wife, in this particular, were, in the lapse of
time, fully realized. Dinah was as well as ever, and became the mother
of another child--a little boy. Everything seemed to be going on
happily, and they had no apparent reason to suspect any troubles other
than such as might naturally have to be encountered in a state of
poverty and toil.
The unfettered boy was healthy, and made rapid advance in a few years.
That any one should ever claim him was never for a moment feared.
The old master, however, becoming tired of country life, had also moved
to Baltimore. How, they knew not, but he had heard of the existence of
this boy.
That he might satisfy himself on this point, he one day very slyly
approached the house with George. No sooner was the old man within the
enclosures than he asked Dinah, "Whose child is that?" pointing to the
boy. "Ask Jacob," was the reply of the mother. The question was then put
to Jacob, the father of the boy. "I did not think that you would ask
such a question, or that you would request anything like that," Jacob
remarked, naturally somewhat nervous, but he added, "I have the
privilege of having any one I please in my house." "Where is he from?"
again demanded the master. The father repeated, "I have a right to
have," etc., "I am my own man," etc. "I have found out whose he is," the
hunter said. "I am going presently to take him home with me." At this
juncture he seized the little fellow, at the same time calling out,
"Dinah, put his clothes on." By this time the father too had seized hold
of the child. Mustering courage, the father said, "Take notice that you
are not in the country, pulling and hauling people about." "I will have
him or I will leave my heart's blood in the house," was the savage
declaration of the master. In his rage he threatened to shoot the
father. In the midst of the excitement George called in two officers to
settle the trouble. "What are you doing here?" said the officers to the
slave-holder. "I am after my property--this boy," he exclaimed. "Have
you ever seen it before?" they inquired. "No," said the slave-holder.
"Then how do you know that he belongs to you?" inquired the officers. "I
believe he is mine," replied the slave-holder.
All the parties concerned were then taken by the officers before an
Alderman. The father owned the child but the mother denied it. The
Alderman then decided that the child should be given to the father.
The slave-holder having thus failed, was unwilling, nevertheless, to
relinquish his grasp. Whereupon he at once claimed the mother. Of course
he was under the necessity of resorting to the Courts in order to
establish his claim. Fortunately the mother had securely preserved the
paper given her by her master so many years before, releasing her.
Notwithstanding this the suit was pending nearly a year before the case
was decided. Everything was so clear the mother finally gained the suit.
This decision was rendered only about two months prior to the escape of
Richard and George.
Arrival No. 6. Henry Cromwell. This passenger fled from Baltimore
county, Md. The man that he escaped from was a farmer by the name of
William Roberts, who also owned seven other young slaves. Of his
treatment of his slaves nothing was recorded.
Henry was about six feet high, quite black, visage thin, age
twenty-five. He left neither wife, parents, brothers nor sisters to
grieve after him. In making his way North he walked of nights from his
home to Harrisburg, Pa., and there availed himself of a passage on a
freight car coming to Philadelphia.
Arrival No. 7. Henry Bohm. Henry came from near Norfolk, Va. He was
about twenty-five years of age, and a fair specimen of a stout man,
possessed of more than ordinary physical strength. As to whom he fled
from, how he had been treated, or how he reached Philadelphia, the
record book is silent. Why this is the case cannot now be accounted for,
unless the hurry of getting him off forbade sufficient delay to note
down more of the particulars.
Arrival No. 8. Ralph Whiting, James H. Forman, Anthony Atkinson, Arthur
Jones, Isaiah Nixon, Joseph Harris, John Morris, and Henry Hodges. A
numerous party like this had the appearance of business. They were all
young and hopeful, and belonged to the more intelligent and promising of
their race. They were capable of giving the best of reasons for the
endeavors they were making to escape to a free country.
They imparted to the Committee much information respecting their several
situations, together with the characters of their masters in relation to
domestic matters, and the customs and usages under which they had been
severally held to service--all of which was listened to with deep
interest. But it was not an easy matter, after having been thus
entertained, to write out the narratives of eight such persons. Hundreds
of pages would hardly have contained a brief account of the most
interesting portion of their histories. It was deemed sufficient to
enter their names and their forsaken homes, etc., as follows:
"Ralph was twenty-six years of age, five feet ten inches high, dark,
well made, intelligent, and a member of the Methodist Church. He was
claimed by Geo. W. Kemp, Esq., cashier of the Exchange Bank of Norfolk,
Va. Ralph gave Mr. Kemp the credit of being a 'moderate man' to his
slaves. Ralph was compelled to leave his wife, Lydia, and two children,
Anna Eliza, and Cornelius."
"James was twenty-three years of age, dark mulatto, nearly six feet
high, and of prepossessing appearance. He fled from James Saunders, Esq.
Nothing, save the desire to be free, prompted James to leave his old
situation and master. His parents and two sisters he was obliged to
leave in Norfolk."
Two brief letters from James, one concerning his "sweet-heart," whom he
left in Norfolk, the other giving an account of her arrival in Canada
and marriage thereafter will, doubtless, be read with interest. They are
here given as follows:
NIAGARA FALLS, June 5th, 1856. MR. STILL:--Sir--I take my pen in
hand to write you theas few lines to let you know that I am well
at present and hope theas few lines may find you the same. Sir
my object in writing to you is that I expect a young Lady by the
name of Miss Mariah Moore, from Norfolk, Virginia. She will
leave Norfolk on the 13th of this month in the Steamship
Virginia for Philadelphia you will oblige me very much by seeing
her safely on the train of cars that leaves Philadelphia for the
Suspension Bridge Niagara Falls pleas to tell the Lady to
telegraph to me what time she will leave Philadelphia so i may
know what time to meet her at the Suspension Bridge my Brother
Isaac Porman send his love also his family to you and your
family they are all well at present pleas to give my respects to
Mr. Harry Londay, also Miss Margaret Cunigan, no more at
present.