JIM KELL, CHARLES HEATH, WILLIAM CARLISLE, CHARLES RINGGOLD, THOMAS
MAXWELL, AND SAMUEL SMITH.
On the evening of the Fourth of July, while all was hilarity and
rejoicing the above named very interesting fugitives arrived from the
troubled district, the Eastern shore, of Maryland, where so many
conventions had been held the previous year to prevent escapes; where
the Rev. Samuel Green had been convicted and sent to the penitentiary
for ten years for having a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin in his humble home;
where so many parties, on escaping, had the good sense and courage to
secure their flight by bringing their masters' horses and carriages a
good way on their perilous journey.
Sam had been tied up and beat many times severely. William had been
stripped naked, and frequently and cruelly cowhided. Thomas had been
clubbed over his head more times than a few. Jim had been whipped with
clubs and switches times without number. Charles had had five men on him
at one time, with cowhides, his master in the lead.
Charles Heath had had his head cut shockingly, with a club, in the hands
of his master; this well cared-for individual in referring to his kind
master, said: "I can give his character right along, he was a perfect
devil. The night we left, he had a woman tied up--God knows what he
done. He was always blustering, you could never do enough for him no
how. First thing in the morning and last thing at night, you would hear
him cussing--he would cuss in bed. He was a large farmer, all the time
drunk. He had a good deal of money but not much character. He was a
savage, bluff, red face-looking concern." Thus, in the most earnest, as
well as in an intelligent manner, Charles described the man (Aquila
Cain), who had hitherto held him under the yoke.
James left his mother, Nancy Kell, two brothers, Robert and Henry, and
two sisters, Mary and Annie; all living in the neighborhood whence he
fled. Besides these, he had eight brothers and sisters living in
Baltimore and elsewhere, under the yoke. He was twenty-four years of
age, of a jet color, but of a manly turn. He fled from Thomas Murphy, a
farmer, and regular slave-holder. Charles Heath was twenty-five years of
age, medium size, full black, a very keen-looking individual.
William was also of unmixed blood, shrewd and wide-awake for his
years,--had been ground down under the heel of Aquila Cain. He left his
mother and two sisters.
Charles Ringgold was eighteen years of age; no white blood showed itself
in the least in this individual. He fled from Dr. Jacob Preston, a
member of the Episcopal Church, and a practical farmer with twenty head
of slaves. "He was not so bad, but his wife was said to be a 'stinger.'"
Charles left his mother and father behind, also four sisters.
Thomas was of pure blood, with a very cheerful, healthy-looking
countenance,--twenty-one years of age, and was to "come free" at
twenty-five, but he had too much good sense to rely upon the promises of
slave-holders in matters of this kind. He too belonged to Cain who, he
said, was constantly talking about selling, etc. He left his father and
mother.
After being furnished with food, clothing, and free tickets, they were
forwarded on in triumph and full of hope.
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