One morning about the first of November, in 1855, the sleepy,
slave-holding neighborhood of Chestertown, Maryland, was doubtless
deeply excited on learning that eleven head of slaves, four head of
horses, and two carriages were missing. It is but reasonable to suppose
that the first report must have produced a shock, scarcely less stunning
than an earthquake. Abolitionists, emissaries, and incendiaries were
farther below par than ever. It may be supposed that cursings and
threatenings were breathed out by a deeply agitated community for days
in succession.
Harriet Shephard, the mother of five children, for whom she felt of
course a mother's love, could not bear the thought of having her
offspring compelled to wear the miserable yoke of Slavery, as she had
been compelled to do. By her own personal experience, Harriet could very
well judge what their fate would be when reaching man and womanhood. She
declared that she had never received "kind treatment." It was not on
this account, however, that she was prompted to escape. She was actuated
by a more disinterested motive than this. She was chiefly induced to
make the bold effort to save her children from having to drag the chains
of Slavery as she herself had done.
Anna Maria, Edwin, Eliza Jane, Mary Ann, and John Henry were the names
of the children for whom she was willing to make any sacrifice. They
were young; and unable to walk, and she was penniless, and unable to
hire a conveyance, even if she had known any one who would have been
willing to risk the law in taking them a night's journey. So there was
no hope in these directions. Her rude intellect being considered, she
was entitled to a great deal of credit for seizing the horses and
carriages belonging to her master, as she did it for the liberation of
her children.
Knowing others at the same time, who were wanting to visit Canada, she
consulted with five of this class, males and females, and they mutually
decided to travel together.
It is not likely that they knew much about the roads, nevertheless they
reached Wilmington, Delaware, pretty direct, and ventured up into the
heart of the town in carriages, looking as innocent as if they were
going to meeting to hear an old-fashioned Southern sermon--"Servants,
obey your masters." Of course, the distinguished travelers were
immediately reported to the noted Thomas Garrett, who was accustomed to
transact the affairs of the Underground Rail Road in a cool masterly
way. But, on this occasion, there was but little time for deliberation,
but much need of haste to meet the emergency. He at once decided, that
they must immediately be separated from the horses and carriages, and
got out of Wilmington as quickly as possible. With the courage and
skill, so characteristic of Garrett, the fugitives, under escort, were
soon on their way to Kennett Square (a hot-bed of abolitionists and
stock-holders of the Underground Rail Road), which place they reached
safely. It so happened, that they reached Long Wood meeting-house in the
evening, at which place a fair circle had convened. Being invited, they
stayed awhile in the meeting, then, after remaining all night with one
of the Kennett friends, they were brought to Downingtown early in the
morning and thence, by daylight, within a short distance of Kimberton,
and found succor with friend Lewis, at the old headquarters of the
fugitives.
[A letter may be found from Miss G.A. Lewis, on page thirty-nine,
throwing much light on this arrival]. After receiving friendly aid and
advice while there, they were forwarded to the Committee in
Philadelphia. Here further aid was afforded them, and as danger was
quite obvious, they were completely divided and disguised, so that the
Committee felt that they might safely be sent on to Canada in one of the
regular trains considered most private.
Considering the condition of the slave mother and her children and
friends, all concerned rejoiced, that they had had the courage to use
their master's horses and vehicles as they did.