Thomas escaped from Baltimore. He described the man from whom he fled as
a "rum drinker" of some note, by the name of Benjamin Walmsly, and he
testified that under him he was neither "half fed nor clothed," in
consequence of which he was dissatisfied, and fled to better his
condition. Luckily Thomas succeeded in making his escape when about
twenty-one years of age. His appearance and smartness indicated
resolution and gave promise of future success. He was well made and of a
chestnut color.
Sauney Pry came from Loudon Co., Va. He had been one of the "well-cared
for," on the farm of Nathan Clapton, who owned some sixty or seventy
slaves. Upon inquiry as to the treatment and character of his master,
Sauney unhesitatingly described him as a "very mean, swearing,
blustering man, as hard as any that could be started." It was on this
account that he was prompted to turn his face against Virginia and to
venture on the Underground Rail Road. Sauney was twenty-seven years of
age, chestnut color, medium size, and in intellect was at least up to
the average.
Benjamin Ducket came from Bell Mountain, Prince George's Co., Maryland.
He stated to the Committee that he escaped from one Sicke Perry, a
farmer. Of his particular master he spoke thus: "He was one of the
baddest men about Prince George; he would both fight and kill up."
These characteristics of the master developed in Ben very strong desires
to get beyond his reach. In fact, his master's conduct was the sole
cause of his seeking the Underground Rail Road. At the time that he came
to Philadelphia, he was recorded as twenty-three years of age, chestnut
color, medium size, and wide awake. He left his father, mother, two
brothers, and three sisters, owned by Marcus Devoe.
About the same time that the passengers just described received succor,
Elizabeth Lambert, with three children, reached the Committee. The names
of the children were, Mary, Horace, and William Henry, quite
marketable-looking articles.
They fled from Middletown, Delaware, where they had been owned by Andrew
Peterson. The poor mother's excuse for leaving her "comfortable home,
free board, and kind-hearted master and mistress," was simply because
she was tired of such "kindness," and was, therefore, willing to suffer
in order to get away from it.
Hill Jones, a lad of eighteen, accompanied Elizabeth with her children
from Middletown. He had seen enough of Slavery to satisfy him that he
could never relish it. His owner was known by the name of John Cochran,
and followed farming. He was of a chestnut color, and well-grown.