The fire of freedom obviously burned with no ordinary fervor in the
breast of this slave mother, or she never would have ventured with the
burden of seven children, to escape from the hell of Slavery.
Ann Maria was about forty years of age, good-looking, pleasant
countenance, and of a chestnut color, height medium, and intellect above
the average. Her bearing was humble, as might have been expected, from
the fact that she emerged from the lowest depths of Delaware Slavery.
During the Fall prior to her escape, she lost her husband under most
trying circumstances: he died in the poor-house, a raving maniac. Two of
his children had been taken from their mother by her owner, as was usual
with slave-holders, which preyed so severely on the poor father's mind
that it drove him into a state of hopeless insanity. He was a "free man"
in the eye of Delaware laws, yet he was not allowed to exercise the
least authority over his children.
Prior to the time that the two children were taken from their mother,
she had been allowed to live with her husband and children,
independently of her master, by supporting herself and them with the
white-wash brush, wash-tub, etc. For this privilege the mother doubtless
worked with double energy, and the master, in all probability, was
largely the gainer, as the children were no expense to him in their
infancy; but when they began to be old enough to hire out, or bring high
prices in the market, he snatched away two of the finest articles, and
the powerless father was immediately rendered a fit subject for the
mad-house; but the brave hearted mother looked up to God, resolved to
wait patiently until in a good Providence the way might open to escape
with her remaining children to Canada.
Year in and year out she had suffered to provide food and raiment for
her little ones. Many times in going out to do days' work she would be
compelled to leave her children, not knowing whether during her absence
they would fall victims to fire, or be carried off by the master. But
she possessed a well tried faith, which in her flight kept her from
despondency. Under her former lot she scarcely murmured, but declared
that she had never been at ease in Slavery a day after the birth of her
first-born. The desire to go to some part of the world where she could
have the control and comfort of her children, had always been a
prevailing idea with her. "It almost broke my heart," she said, "when he
came and took my children away as soon as they were big enough to hand
me a drink of water. My husband was always very kind to me, and I had
often wanted him to run away with me and the children, but I could not
get him in the notion; he did not feel that he could, and so he stayed,
and died broken-hearted, crazy. I was owned by a man named Joseph Brown;
he owned property in Milford, and he had a place in Vicksburg, and some
of his time he spends there, and some of the time he lives in Milford.
This Fall he said he was going to take four of my oldest children and
two other servants to Vicksburg. I just happened to hear of this news in
time. My master was wanting to keep me in the dark about taking them,
for fear that something might happen. My master is very sly; he is a
tall, slim man, with a smooth face, bald head, light hair, long and
sharp nose, swears very hard, and drinks. He is a widower, and is rich."
On the road the poor mother, with her travel-worn children became
desperately alarmed, fearing that they were betrayed. But God had
provided better things for her; her strength and hope were soon fully
restored, and she was lucky enough to fall into the right hands. It was
a special pleasure to aid such a mother. Her arrival in Canada was
announced by Rev. H. Wilson as follows:
NIAGARA CITY, Nov. 30th, 1858.
DEAR BRO. STILL:--I am happy to inform you that Mrs. Jackson and
her interesting family of seven children arrived safe and in
good health and spirits at my house in St. Catharines, on
Saturday evening last. With sincere pleasure I provided for them
comfort quarters till this morning, when they left for Toronto.
I got them conveyed there at half fare, and gave them letters of
introduction to Thomas Henning, Esq., and Mrs. Dr. Willis,
trusting that they will be better cared for in Toronto than they
could be at St. Catharines. We have so many coming to us we
think it best for some of them to pass on to other places. My
wife gave them all a good supply of clothing before they left
us. James Henry, an older son is, I think, not far from St.
Catharine, but has not as yet reunited with the family.
Faithfully and truly yours,