James was a tiller of the soil under the yoke of Joshua Hitch, who lived
on a farm about seventeen miles from Baltimore. James spoke rather
favorably of him; indeed, it was through a direct act of kindness on the
part of his master that he procured the opportunity to make good his
escape. It appeared from his story, that his master's affairs had become
particularly embarrassed, and the Sheriff was making frequent visits to
his house. This sign was interpreted to mean that James, if not others,
would have to be sold before long. The master was much puzzled to decide
which way to turn. He owned but three other adult slaves besides James,
and they were females. One of them was his chief housekeeper, and with
them all his social relations were of such a nature as to lead James and
others to think and say that they "were all his wives." Or to use
James's own language, "he had three slave women; two were sisters, and
he lived with them all as his wives; two of them he was very fond of,"
and desired to keep them from being sold if possible. The third, he
concluded he could not save, she would have to be sold. In this dilemma,
he was good enough to allow James a few days' holiday, for the purpose
of finding him a good master. Expressing his satisfaction and
gratification, James, armed with full authority from his master to
select a choice specimen, started for Baltimore.
On reaching Baltimore, however, James carefully steered clear of all
slave-holders, and shrewdly turned his attention to the matter of
getting an Underground Rail Road ticket for Canada. After making as much
inquiry as he felt was safe, he came to the conclusion to walk of nights
for a long distance. He examined his feet and legs, found that they were
in good order, and his faith and hope strong enough to remove a
mountain. Besides several days still remained in which he was permitted
to look for a new master, and these he decided could be profitably spent
in making his way towards Canada. So off he started, at no doubt a very
diligent pace, for at the end of the first night's journey, he had made
much headway, but at the expense of his feet.
His faith was stronger than ever. So he rested next day in the woods,
concealed, of course, and the next evening started with fresh courage
and renewed perseverance. Finally, he reached Columbia, Pennsylvania,
and there he had the happiness to learn, that the mountain which at
first had tried his faith so severely, was removed, and friendly hands
were reached out and a more speedy and comfortable mode of travel
advised. He was directed to the Vigilance Committee in Philadelphia,
from whom he received friendly aid, and all necessary information
respecting Canada and how to get there.
James was thirty-one years of age, rather a fine-looking man, of a
chestnut color, and quite intelligent. He had been a married man, but
for two years before his escape, he had been a widower--that is, his
wife had been sold away from him to North Carolina, and in that space of
time he had received only three letters from her; he had given up all
hope of ever seeing her again. He had two little boys living in
Baltimore, whom he was obliged to leave. Their names were Edward and
William. What became of them afterwards was never known at the
Philadelphia station.
James's master was a man of about fifty years of age--who had never been
lawfully married, yet had a number of children on his place who were of
great concern to him in the midst of other pressing embarrassments. Of
course, the Committee never learned how matters were settled after James
left, but, in all probability, his wives, Nancy and Mary (sisters), and
Lizzie, with all the children, had to be sold.
* * * * *