Rebecca Jones, and her three daughters, Sarah Frances, Mary, and
Rebecca; Isaiah Robinson, Arthur Spence, Caroline Taylor, and her two
daughters, Nancy, and Mary; Daniel Robinson; Thomas Page; Benjamin
Dickinson; David Cole and wife.
From the tenor of Thomas Garrett's letter, the Committee was prepared
for a joyful reception, knowing that Captain F. was not in the habit of
doing things by the halves--that he was not in the habit of bringing
numbskulls; indeed he brought none but the bravest and most intelligent.
Yet notwithstanding our knowledge of his practice in this respect, when
he arrived we were surprised beyond measure. The women outnumbered the
men. The two young mothers, with their interesting, hearty and
fine-looking children representing in blood the two races about
equally--presented a very impressive spectacle.
The men had the appearance of being active, smart, and well disposed,
much above the generality of slaves; but, compared with those of the
opposite sex, their claims for sympathy were very faint indeed. No one
could possibly avoid the conclusion, that these mothers, with their
handsome daughters, were valued on the Ledger of their owners at
enormously high prices; that lustful traders and sensualists had already
gloated over the thought of buying them in a few short years. Probably
not one of those beautiful girls would have brought less than fifteen
hundred or two thousand dollars at the age of fifteen. It was therefore
a great satisfaction to think, that their mothers, who knew full well to
what a fate such slave girls were destined, had labored so heroically to
snatch them out of this danger ere the critical hour arrived.
Rebecca Jones was about twenty-eight years of age; mulatto,
good-looking, considerably above medium size, very intelligent, and a
true-born heroine.
The following reward, offered by the notorious negro-trader, Hall,
proved that Rebecca and her children were not to be allowed to go free,
if slave-hunters could be induced by a heavy pecuniary consideration to
recapture them:
$300 REWARD is offered for the apprehension of negro woman,
REBECCA JONES and her three children, and man ISAIAH, belonging
to W.W. Davidson, who have disappeared since the 20th inst. The
above reward will be paid for the apprehension and delivery of
the said Negroes to my Jail, by the attorney in fact of the
owner, or the sum of $250 for the man alone, or $150 for the
woman and three children alone.
[Illustration: ]
WM. W. HALL, for the Attorney, feb. 1.
Years before her escape, her mistress died in England; and as Rebecca
had always understood, long before this event, that all the slaves were
to be freed at the death of her mistress, she was not prepared to
believe any other report. It turned out, however, as in thousands of
other instances, that no will could be found, and, of course, the
administrators retained the slave property, regardless of any verbal
expressions respecting freeing, etc. Rebecca closely watched the course
of the administrators, and in the meanwhile firmly resolved, that
neither she nor her children should ever serve another master. Rather
than submit, she declared that she would take the lives of her children
and then her own. Notwithstanding her bold and decided stand, the report
went out that she was to be sold, and that all the slaves were still to
be held in bondage. Rebecca's sympathizers and friends advised her, as
they thought for the best, to get a friend or gentleman to purchase her
for herself. To this she replied: "Not three cents would I give, nor do
I want any of my friends to buy me, not if they could get me for three
cents. It would be of no use," she contended, "as she was fully bent on
dying, rather than remain a slave." The slave-holders evidently
understood her, and were in no hurry about bringing her case to an
issue--they rather gave her time to become calm. But Rebecca was
inflexible.
Six years before her arrival, her husband had escaped, in company with
the noted fugitive, "Shadrach." For a time after he fled, she frequently
received letters from him, but for a long while he had ceased to write,
and of late she had heard nothing from him.
In escaping stowed away in the boat, she suffered terribly, but
faithfully endured to the end, and was only too happy when the agony was
over. After resting and getting thoroughly refreshed in Philadelphia,
she, with others, was forwarded to Boston, for her heart was there.
Several letters were received from her, respecting her prospects, etc.,
from which it appears that she had gained some knowledge of her husband,
although not of a satisfactory nature. At any rate she decided that she
could not receive him back again. The following letter has reference to
her prospects, going to California, her husband, etc.:
PARKER HOUSE, School street, Boston, Oct. 18th, '56.
MY DEAR SIR:--I can hardly express the pleasure I feel at the
receipt of your kind letter; but allow me to thank you for the
same.
And now I will tell you my reasons for going to California. Mrs.
Tarrol, a cousin of my husband, has sent for me. She says I can
do much better there than in Boston. And as I have my children's
welfare to look to, I have concluded to go. Of course I shall be
just as likely to hear from home _there_ as _here_. Please tell
Mr. Bagnale I shall expect one letter from him before I leave
here.
I should like to hear from my brothers and sisters once more,
and let me hear every particular. You never can know how anxious
I am to hear from them; do please impress this upon their minds.
I have written two letters to Dr. Lundy and never received an
answer. I heard Mrs. Lundy was dead, and thought that might
possibly be the reason he had not replied to me. Please tell the
Doctor I should take it as a great favor if he would write me a
few lines.
I suppose you think I am going to live with my husband again.
Let me assure you 'tis no such thing. My mind is as firm as
ever. And believe me, in going away from Boston, I am going away
from him, for I have heard he is living somewhere near. He has
been making inquiries about me, but that can make no difference
in my feelings to him. I hope that yourself, wife and family are
all quite well. Please remember me to them all. Do me the favor
to give my love to all inquiring friends. I should be most happy
to have any letters of introduction you may think me worthy of,
and I trust I shall ever remain
Yours faithfully,