Almost within the lions' den, in daily sight of the enemy, in the little
slave-holding State of Delaware, lived and labored the freedom-loving,
earnest and whole-souled Quaker abolitionist, John Hunn. His
headquarters were at Cantwell's Bridge, but, as an engineer of the
Underground Rail Road, his duties, like those of his fellow-laborer
Thomas Garrett, were not confined to that section, but embraced other
places, and were attended with great peril, constant care and expense.
He was well-known to the colored people far and near, and was especially
sought with regard to business pertaining to the Underground Rail Road,
as a friend who would never fail to assist as far as possible in every
time of need. Through his agency many found their way to freedom, both
by land and water.
The slave-holders regarding him with much suspicion, watched him
closely, and were in the habit of "breathing out threatenings and
slaughter" very fiercely at times. But Hunn was too plucky to be
frightened by their threats and menaces, and as one, commissioned by a
higher power to remember those in bonds as bound with them he remained
faithful to the slave. Men, women or children seeking to be unloosed
from the fetters of Slavery, could not make their grievances known to
John Hunn without calling forth his warmest sympathies. His house and
heart were always open to all such. The slave-holders evidently
concluded that Hunn could not longer be tolerated, consequently devised
a plan to capture him, on the charge of aiding off a woman with her
children.
[John Hunn and Thomas Garrett were conjointly prosecuted in this case,
and in the sketch of the latter, the trial, conviction, etc., are so
fully referred to, that it is unnecessary to do more than allude to it
here].
These noted Underground Rail Road offenders being duly brought before
the United States District Court, in May, 1848, Judge Taney, presiding,
backed by a thoroughly pro-slavery sentiment, obviously found it a very
easy matter to convict them, and a still easier matter to fine them to
the extent of every dollar they possessed in the world. Thousands of
dollars were swept from Hunn in an instant, and his family left utterly
destitute; but he was by no means conquered, as he deliberately gave the
court to understand in a manly speech, delivered while standing to
receive his sentence. There and then he avowed his entire sympathy with
the slave, and declared that in the future, as in the past, by the help
of God, he would never withhold a helping hand from the down-trodden in
the hour of distress. That this pledge was faithfully kept by Hunn,
there can be no question, as he continued steadfast at his post until
the last fetter was broken by the great proclamation of Abraham Lincoln.
He was not without friends, however, for even near by, dwelt a few
well-tried Abolitionists. Ezekiel Jenkins, Mifflin Warner, and one or
two others, whole-souled workers in the same cause with Hunn; he was
therefore not forgotten in the hour of his extremity.
Wishing to produce a sketch worthy of this veteran, we addressed him on
the subject, but failed to obtain all the desired material. His reasons,
however, for withholding the information which we desired were
furnished, and, in connection therewith, a few anecdotes touching
Underground Rail Road matters coming under his immediate notice, which
we here take great pleasure in transcribing.
BEAUFORT, S.C. 11th mo. 7th, 1871.
WM. STILL, DEAR FRIEND:--In thy first letter thee asked for my
photograph as well as for an opinion of the book about to be
edited by thyself. I returned a favorable answer and sent
likeness, as requested. I incidentally mentioned that, probably
some of my papers might be of service to thee. The papers
alluded to had no reference to myself; but consisted of
anecdotes and short histories of some of the fugitives from the
hell of American Slavery, who gave me a call, as engineer of the
Underground Rail Road in the State of Delaware, and received the
benefit of my advice and assistance.
I was twenty-seven years-old when I engaged in the Underground
Rail Road business, and I continued therein diligently until the
breaking up of that business by the Great Rebellion. I then came
to South Carolina to witness the uprising of a nation of slaves
into the dignity and privileges of mankind.
Nothing can possibly have the same interest to me. Therefore, I
propose to remain where this great problem is in the process of
solution; and to give my best efforts to its successful
accomplishment. In this matter the course that I have pursued
thus far through life has given me solid satisfaction. I ask no
other reward for any efforts made by me in the cause, than to
feel that I have been of use to my fellow-men.
No other course would have brought peace to my mind; then why
should any credit be awarded to me; or how can I count any
circumstance that may have occurred to me, in the light of a
sacrifice? If a man pursues the only course that will bring
peace to his own mind, is he deserving of any credit therefor?
Is not the reward worth striving for at any cost? Indeed it is,
as I well know.
Would it be well for me, entertaining such sentiments, to sit
down and write an account of my sacrifices? I think not.
Therefore please hold me excused. I am anxious to see thy book,
and will forward the price of one as soon as I can ascertain
what it is.
Please accept my thanks for thy kind remembrance of me. I am now
fifty-three years old, but I well remember thy face in the
Anti-slavery Office in Fifth street, when I called on business
of the Underground Rail Road. Our mutual friend, S.D. Burris,
was the cause of much uneasiness to us in those times. It
required much trouble, as well as expense to save him from the
slave-traders. I stood by him on the auction-block; and when I
stepped down, they thought they had him sure. Indeed he thought
so himself for a little while. But we outwitted them at last, to
their great chagrin. Those were stirring times, and the people
of Dover, Delaware, will long remember the time when S.D. Burris
was sold at public sale for aiding slaves to escape from their
masters, and was bought by the Pennsylvania Anti-slavery
Society. I remain very truly thy friend,