Many reasons were given by Josephine for leaving the sunny South. She
had a mistress, but was not satisfied with her--hadn't a particle of
love for her; "she was all the time fussing and scolding, and never
could be satisfied." She was very well off, and owned thirteen or
fourteen head of slaves. She was a member of the Methodist Church, was
stingy and very mean towards her slaves. Josephine having lived with her
all her life, professed to have a thorough knowledge of her ways and
manners, and seemed disposed to speak truthfully of her. The name of her
mistress was Eliza Hambleton, and she lived in Washington. Josephine had
fully thought over the matter of her rights, so much so, that she was
prompted to escape. So hard did she feel her lot to be, that she was
compelled to resign her children, uncle and aunt to the cruel mercy of
slavery. What became of the little ones, David, Ogden and Isaiah, is a
mystery.