William Scott. William was about twenty-four years of age, well made,
though not very heavy--stammered considerably when speaking--wide awake
and sensible nevertheless. For two years the fear of being sold had not
been out of his mind. To meet a security agreement, which had been
contracted by his mistress--about which a law-suit had been pending for
two years--was what he feared he should be sold for. About the first of
May he found himself in the hands of the sheriff. On being taken to
Stafford Court-House Jail, however, the sheriff permitted him to walk a
"little ways." It occurred to William that then was his only chance to
strike for freedom and Canada, at all hazards. He soon decided the
matter, and the sheriff saw no more of him.
Susan Fox was the name of the person he was compelled to call mistress.
She was described as a "large, portly woman, very gross, with a
tolerably severe temper, at times." William's mother and one of his
brothers had been sold by this woman--an outrage to be forever
remembered. His grandmother, one sister, with two children, and a cousin
with five children, all attached by the sheriff, for sale, were left in
the hands of his mistress. He was married the previous Christmas, but in
the trying hour could do nothing for his wife, but leave her to the
mercy of slave-holders. The name of the sheriff that he outgeneralled
was Walter Cox. William was valued at $1,000.
Perhaps, after all, but few appreciated the sorrow that must have filled
the hearts of most of those who escaped. Though they succeeded in
gaining their own liberty--they were not insensible to the oppression of
their friends and relatives left in bondage. On reaching Canada and
tasting the sweets of freedom, the thought of dear friends in bondage
must have been acutely painful.
William had many perils to encounter. On one occasion he was hotly
chased, but proved too fleet-footed for his pursuers. At another time,
when straitened, he attempted to swim a river, but failed. His faith
remained strong, nevertheless, and he succeeded in reaching the
Committee.
* * * * *
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., etc., 1857.