Although these three passengers arrived in Philadelphia at the same
time, they did not come from Maryland together.
William Lee found himself under the yoke on a farm in the possession of
Zechariah Merica, who, Wm. said, was a "low ignorant man, not above a
common wood-chopper, and owned no other slave property than William."
Against him, however, William brought no accusation of any very severe
treatment; on the contrary, his master talked sometimes "as though he
wanted to be good and get religion, but said he could not while he was
trying to be rich." Everything looked hopeless in William's eyes, so far
as the master's riches and his own freedom were concerned. He concluded
that he would leave him the "bag to hold alone." William therefore laid
down "the shovel and the hoe," and, without saying a word to his master,
he took his departure, under the privacy of the night, for Canada.
William represented the white and colored races about equally; he was
about twenty-seven years of age, and looked well fitted for a full day's
work on a farm.
Susan Jane came from New Market, near Georgetown Cross-Roads, where she
had been held to unrequited labor by Hezekiah Masten, a farmer. Although
he was a man of fair pretensions, and a member of the Methodist Church,
he knew how to draw the cords very tightly, with regard to his slaves,
keeping his feet on their necks, to their sore grievance. Susan endured
his bad treatment as long as she could, then left, destitute and alone.
Her mother and father were at the time living in Elkton, Md. Whether
they ever heard what became of their daughter is not known.
Amarian was twenty-one years of age, a person of light color, medium
size, with a prepossessing countenance and smart; she could read, write,
and play on the piano. From a child, Amarian had been owned by Mrs.
Elizabeth Key Scott, who resided near Braceville, but at the time of her
flight she was living at Westminster, in the family of a man named
"Boile," said to be the clerk of the court. In reference to treatment,
Amarian said: "I have always been used very well; have had it good all
my life, etc." This was a remarkable case, and, at first, somewhat
staggered the faith of the Committee, but they could not dispute her
testimony, consequently they gave her the benefit of the doubt. She
spoke of having a mother living in Hagerstown, by the name of Amarian
Ballad, also three sisters who were slaves, and two who were free; she
also had a brother in chains in Mississippi.
* * * * *