By the same arrival, and similarly secreted, Elizabeth Frances, alias
Ellen Saunders, had the good luck to reach Philadelphia. She was a
single young woman, about twenty-two, with as pleasant a countenance as
one would wish to see. Her manners were equally agreeable. Perhaps her
joy over her achieved victory added somewhat to her personal appearance.
She had, however, belonged to the more favored class of slaves. She had
neither been over-worked nor badly abused. Elizabeth was the property of
a lady a few shades lighter than herself, (Elizabeth was a mulatto) by
the name of Sarah Shephard, of Norfolk. In order the more effectually to
profit by Elizabeth's labor, the mistress resorted to the plan of hiring
her out for a given sum per month. Against this usage Elizabeth urged no
complaint. Indeed the only very serious charge she brought was to the
effect, that her mistress sold her mother away from her far South, when
she was a child only ten years old. She had also sold a brother and
sister to a foreign southern market. The reflections consequent upon the
course that her mistress had thus pursued, awakened Elizabeth to much
study relative to freedom, and by the time that she had reached
womanhood she had very decided convictions touching her duty with regard
to escaping. Thus growing to hate slavery in every way and manner, she
was prepared to make a desperate effort to be free. Having saved
thirty-five dollars by rigid economy, she was willing to give every cent
of it (although it was all she possessed), to be aided from Norfolk to
Philadelphia. After reaching the city, having suffered severely while
coming, she was invited to remain until somewhat recruited. In the
healthy air of freedom she was soon fully restored, and ready to take
her departure for New Bedford, which place she reached without
difficulty and was cordially welcomed. The following letter, expressive
of her obligations for aid received, was forwarded soon after her
arrival in New Bedford:
NEW BEDFORD, Mass., October 16th, 1854.
MR. STILL:--Dear Sir--I now take my pen in my hand to inform you
of my health which is good at present all except a cold I have
got but I hope when these few lines reach you you may be
enjoying good health. I arrived in New Bedford Thursday morning
safely and what little I have seen of the city I like it very
much my friends were very glad to see me. I found my sister very
well. Give my love to Mrs. Still and also your dear little
children. I am now out at service. I do not think of going to
Canada now. I think I shall remain in this city this winter.
Please tell Mrs. Still I have not met any person who has treated
me any kinder than she did since I left. I consider you both to
have been true friends to me. I hope you will think me the same
to you. I feel very thankful to you indeed. It might been
supposed, out of sight out of mind, but it is not so. I never
forget my friends. Give my love to Florence. If you come to this
city I would be very happy to see you. Kiss your dear little
children for me. Please to answer this as soon as possible, so
that I may know you received this. No more at present. I still
remain your friend,