Was born in Plymouth township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January
24th, 1803. He was the son of Joseph and Hannah Corson. He was married
January 24th, 1832, to Martha, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Maulsby.
There were perhaps few more devoted men than George Corson to the
interests of the oppressed everywhere. The slave, fleeting from his
master, ever found a home with him, and felt while there that no
slave-hunter would get him away until every means of protection should
fail. He was ever ready to send his horse and carriage to convey them on
the road to Canada, or elsewhere towards freedom. His home was always
open to entertain the anti-slavery advocates, and being warmly supported
in the cause by his excellent wife, everything which they could do to
make their guests comfortable was done. The Burleighs, J. Miller McKim,
Miss Mary Grew, F. Douglass, and others will not soon forget that
hospitable home. It is to be regretted that he died before the
emancipation of the slaves, which he had so long labored for, arrived.
In this connection it may not be improper to state that simultaneously
with his labors in the Anti-slavery cause, he was also laboring with
zeal in the cause of Temperance. Of his efforts in that direction
through nearly thirty years, our space will not allow us to speak. His
life and labors were a daily protest against the traffic of rum. There
is also another phase of his character which should be mentioned.
Whenever he saw animals abused, horses beaten, he instantly interfered,
often at great risk of personal harm from the brutal drivers about the
lime quarries and iron ore diggings. So firm, so determined was he, that
the cruellest ruffian felt that he must yield or confront the law. Take
him all for all, there will rarely be found in one man more universal
benevolence and justice than was possessed by the subject of this
notice.
Hiram Corson, brother of the subject of this sketch, and a faithful
co-laborer in the cause, in response to a request that he would furnish
a reminiscence touching his brother's agency in assisting fugitives,
wrote as follows:
_November 1st_, 1871.
DEAR ROBERT:--Wm. Still wishes some account of the case of the
negro slave taken from our neighborhood some years ago, after an
attempt by my brother George to release him. (About thirty years
ago.) George had been on a visit to our brother Charles, living
at the fork of the Skippack and Perkiomen Creeks, in this
county, and on his return, late in the afternoon, while coming
along an obscure road, not the main direct road, he came up to a
man on horseback, who was followed at a distance of a few feet
by a colored man with a rope tied around his neck, and the other
end held by the person on horseback.
George had had experience with those slave-drivers before, as in
the case of John and James Lewis, and withal had become deeply
interested in the Anti-slavery cause. He, therefore, inquired of
the mounted man, what the other had done that he was to be thus
treated. He quietly remarked that he was his slave and had run
away. He then asked by what authority he held him. He said by
warrant from Esquire Vanderslice. Indignant at this great
outrage, my brother hurried on to Norristown, and waited his
arrival with a process to arrest him. The slave-master,
confident in his rights, bold in the country of those pretended
freemen, who were ever ready to kiss the rod of Slavery, came
slowly riding into Norristown, just before sunset, with the rope
still fast to the slave's neck. He was immediately taken before
a Justice of the Peace, whose name I do not now remember. The
people gathered around; anxious inquiries were made as to the
person who had the audacity to question the right of this quiet,
peaceable man to do with his slave as he pleased. Great scorn
was expressed for the busy Abolitionists. Much sympathy given to
the abused slave owner. It was soon decided, by the aid of a
volunteer lawyer, whose sons have since fought the battle for
freedom, that the slave-owner had a right to take his slave
whereever, and in whatever way he pleased, through the country,
and not only that, but at his call for help it was the bounden
duty of every man, called upon, to aid him; and the person who
had the audacity to stop him was threatened with punishment.
But George's blood was up, so pained was he at the sight of a
man, a poor man, a helpless man, being dragged through from
Pennsylvania with a halter around his neck, that, amidst the
jeers and insults of the debased crowd, he denounced Slavery,
its aiders and abettors, in tones of scorn and loathing. But the
man thief was left with his prey. Through the advice of those
who stood by the slave laws and who knelt before the slave
power, as personified by that hunter of slaves, the rope was
taken from the neck, and the man guarded while the master
regaled himself. That night he disappeared with his man.
I can also give a few particulars of the escape of the Gorsuch
murderers, from Norristown on their way to Canada. There should
be a portrait of Daniel Ross, and a history of his labors during
twenty or more years. Hundreds were entertained in his humble
home, and it was in his home that the Gorsuch murderer was
secreted. He must not be left out. I can also get the whole
history, escape, capture, trial, conviction and redemption of
James and John Lewis, and one other. They were captured here
within sight of our house. George Corson, Esq., published it
all, about ten years ago. Respectfully,