The
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
A RECORD
OF
FACTS, AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE, LETTERS, &C.,
William Still
Narrating the Hardships, Hair-breadth Escapes and Death Struggles
OF THE
Slaves in their efforts of Freedom,
AS RELATED
BY THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, OR WITNESSED BY THE AUTHOR;
TOGETHER WITH
SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LARGEST STOCKHOLDERS, AND
MOST LIBERAL AIDERS AND ADVISERS,
OF THE ROAD.
OF THE
Slaves in their efforts of Freedom,
AS RELATED
BY THEMSELVES AND OTHERS, OR WITNESSED BY THE AUTHOR;
TOGETHER WITH
SKETCHES OF SOME OF THE LARGEST STOCKHOLDERS, AND
MOST LIBERAL AIDERS AND ADVISERS,
OF THE ROAD.
For many years connected with the Anti-Slavery Office in Philidelphia, and Chairman,
of the Acting Vigilent Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of
the Underground Rail Road.
Illustrated with 70 fine Engravings by Bensell, Schell and others, and
Portraits from Photographs from Life.
of the Acting Vigilent Committee of the Philadelphia Branch of
the Underground Rail Road.
Illustrated with 70 fine Engravings by Bensell, Schell and others, and
Portraits from Photographs from Life.
Thou shall not deliver unto his master the servant that has escaped from his master unto thee.—Deut. xxiii. 16.
PHILADELPHIA:
PORTER & COATES,
822, CHESTNUT STREET.
1872.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
W.M. STILL,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
PORTER & COATES,
822, CHESTNUT STREET.
1872.
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
W.M. STILL,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Contents
SETH CONCKLIN
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD LETTERS.
From Thomas Garrett—G.A. Lewis—E.L. Stevens—Sydney Howard Gay—John Henry Hill—J. Bigelowe—Ham and Eggs—Rev. H. Wilson—Sheridan Ford—E.F. Pennypacker—J.C. Bustill—Slave secreted in Richmond—G.S. Nelson—John Thompson—Wm. Penn
WILLIAM BOX PEEL JONES
Came boxed up viâ Erricson line of Steamers.
WESLEY HARRIS ALIAS ROBERT JACKSON, CRAVEN MATTERSON AND TWO BROTHERS.
CLARISSA DAVIS
Arrived in Male Attire.
ANTHONY BLOW ALIAS HENRY LEVISON
Secreted Ten Months—Eight days on the Steamship City of Richmond bound for Philadelphia.
PERRY JOHNSON, OF ELKTON, MARYLAND.
Eye knocked Out.
ISAAC FORMAN, WILLIAM DAVIS AND WILLIS REDICK.
Hearts full of joy for Freedom—Very anxious for Wives in Slavery.
JOSEPH HENRY CAMP
Sold, the day he escaped, for Fourteen Hundred Dollars—Slave Trader loses his Bargain.
SHERIDAN FORD
Secreted in the Woods—Escapes in a Steamer.
JOSEPH KNEELAND ALIAS JOSEPH HULSON
Young Master had a "Malignant Spirit".
EX-PRESIDENT TYLER'S HOUSEHOLD LOSES AN ARISTOCRATIC ARTICLE.
EDWARD MORGAN, HENRY JOHNSON, JAMES AND STEPHEN BUTLER.
"Two Thousand Dollars Reward" offered.
HENRY PREDO
Daniel Hughes, Thomas Elliott, and five others betrayed into Dover Jail.
MARY EPPS ALIAS EMMA BROWN, JOSEPH AND ROBERT ROBINSON.
A Slave Mother Loses her Speech at the Sale of her Child ... Bob Escapes from his Master, a Trader, with Fifteen Hundred Dollars in North Carolina Money.
GEORGE SOLOMON, DANIEL NEALL, BENJAMIN R. FLETCHER AND MARIA DORSEY.
HENRY BOX BROWN
Arrived by Adams Express.
TRIAL OF THE EMANCIPATORS OF COL. J.H. WHEELER'S SLAVES, JANE JOHNSON AND HER TWO LITTLE BOYS.
THE ARRIVALS OF A SINGLE MONTH.
Sixty Passengers came in one Month—Twenty-eight in one Arrival—Great Panic and Indignation Meeting—Interesting Correspondence from Masters and Fugitives.
A SLAVE GIRL'S NARRATIVE.
Cordelia Loney, Slave of Mrs. Joseph Cahell, (widow of the late Hon. Joseph Cahell, of Virginia)—Cordelia's Escape from her Mistress in Philadelphia.
ARRIVAL OF JACKSON, ISAAC AND EDMONDSON TURNER FROM PETERSBURG.
Touching Scene on Meeting their Old Blind Father at the U.G.R.R. Depot.
ROBERT BROWN ALIAS THOMAS JONES.
Crossing the River on Horseback in the Night.
ANTHONY LONEY ALIAS WILLIAM ARMSTEAD AND CORNELIUS SCOTT.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS ALIAS JOHN WILLIAMS.
BARNABY GRIGBY ALIAS JOHN BOYER, AND MARY ELIZABETH HIS WIFE, FRANK WANZER ALIAS ROBERT SCOTT, EMILY FOSTER ALIAS ANN WOOD.
WILLIAM JORDAN ALIAS WILLIAM PRICE.
JOSEPH GRANT AND JOHN SPEAKS.
Two Passengers viâ Liverpool.
WILLIAM N. TAYLOR.
"One Hundred Dollars Reward".
LOUISA BROWN, JACOB WATERS, AND ALFRED GOULDEN.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE.
Jefferson Pipkins alias David Jones, Louisa Pipkins, Elizabeth Brit, Harriet Brown, alias Jane Wooton, Gracy Murry alias Sophia Sims, Edward Williams alias Henry Johnson, Charles Lee alias Thomas Bushier.
SEVERAL ARRIVALS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.
Henry Anderson, Charles and Margaret Congo, Chaskey Brown, William Henry Washington, James Alfred Frisley, Charles Henry Salter, Stephen Taylor, Charles Brown, Charles H. Hollis, Luther Dorsey.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND.
Jeremiah W. Smith and wife Julia.
EIGHT ARRIVALS.
James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads, and Child, Mary Elizabeth Stephenson.
CHARLES THOMPSON.
Carrier of "The National American".
BLOOD FLOWED FREELY.
Abram Galloway and Richard Eden—Secreted in a Vessel Loaded with Spirits of Turpentine—Shrouds Prepared to Prevent being Smoked to Death—Abram a Soldier under Father Abraham—Senator of North Carolina.
JOHN PETTIFOOT.
"One Hundred Dollars Reward" Offered—McHenry and McCulloch Anxious About John.
EMANUEL T. WHITE.
"Would rather Fight than Eat".
THE ESCAPE OF A CHILD FOURTEEN MONTHS OLD.
Letter from "J.B."—Letters from E.L. Stevens ... Great Anxiety and Care.
ESCAPE OF A YOUNG SLAVE MOTHER.
Baby, Little Girl and Husband left Behind—Three Hundred Dollars Reward Offered.
SAMUEL W. JOHNSON.
Arrival from the Richmond Daily Dispatch Office—"Uncle Tom's Cabin" turned Sam's Brain—Affecting Letters.
FAMILY FROM BALTIMORE.
Stephen Amos alias Henry Johnson, Harriet alias Mary Jane Johnson, and their four children, Ann Rebecca, William H., Elizabeth and Mary Ellen.
ELIJAH HILTON.
From Richmond—"Five Hundred Dollars Reward" offered by R.J. Christian.... Grateful letter from Canada.
SOLOMON BROWN.
Arrived per City of Richmond—Letter from Canada containing expressions of Gratitude.
WILLIAM HOGG ALIAS JOHN SMITH.
Traveler from Maryland—William was much troubled about his Wife left behind—Letter from Canada.
TWO FEMALE PASSENGERS FROM MARYLAND.
Ann Johnson and Lavina Woolfley Sold—Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire.
CAPTAIN F. AND THE MAYOR OF NORFOLK.
Twenty-one Passengers secreted in Captain Fountain's Boat—Mayor and Posse of Officers on the Boat searching for U.G.R.R. Passengers.
ARRIVALS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.
Matilda Mahoney—Dr. J.W. Pennington's Brother and Sons—Great Adventure to deliver a Lover.
FLEEING GIRL OF FIFTEEN IN MALE ATTIRE.
Ann Maria Weems alias Joe Wright—Great Triumph—Arrival on Thanksgiving Day—Interesting letters from J. Bigelow.
FIVE YEARS AND ONE MONTH SECRETED.
John Henry, Hezekiah and James Hill.
FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
Archer Barlow, alias Emet Robins—Samuel Bush alias William Oblebee—John Spencer and his son William and James Albert—Robert Fisher—NATHAN HARRIS—Hansel Waples—Rosanna Tonnell, alias Maria Hyde—Mary Ennis alias Licia Hemmit and two Children—Lydia and Louisa Caroline.
SAM, ISAAC, PERRY, CHARLES AND GREEN.
"One Thousand Dollars Reward".
FROM RICHMOND AND NORFOLK, VA.
William B. White, Susan Brooks, and Wm. Henry Atkinson.
FOUR ARRIVALS.
Charlotte and Harriet escape in deep Mourning—White Lady and Child with a Colored Coachman—Three likely Young Men from Baltimore—Four large and two Small Hams—U.G.R.R. Passengers Travelling with their Master's Horses and Carriage—Six Passengers on two Horses, &c.
FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, NORTH CAROLINA, WASHINGTON, D.C. AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLES GILBERT,
Fleeing from Davis, a Negro Trader—Secreted under a Hotel—Up a Tree—Under a Floor—In a Thicket—On a Steamer.
LIBERTY OR DEATH.
Jim Bowlegs alias Bill Paul.
SALT-WATER FUGITIVE.
SAMUEL GREEN ALIAS WESLEY KINNARD.
Ten Years in the Penitentiary for having a Copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin in his House.
AN IRISH GIRL'S DEVOTION TO FREEDOM.
In Love with a Slave—Gets him off to Canada—Follows him—Marriage, &c.
"SAM" NIXON ALIAS DR. THOMAS BAYNE.
The Escape of a Dentist on the U.G.R.R. &c.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS.
From Loudoun County, Va., Norfolk, Baltimore, Md., Petersburg, Va., &c.
HEAVY REWARD.
"Two Thousand Six Hundred Dollars Reward" Offered.
SLAVE-TRADER HALL IS FOILED.
Robert McCoy alias William Donar, and Elizabeth Sanders, arrived per steamer.
THE PROTECTION OF SLAVE PROPERTY IN VIRGINIA.
A Bill providing additional Protection for the Slave Property of Citizens of this Commonwealth.
ESCAPING IN A CHEST.
"One Hundred and Fifty Dollars Reward"—Lear Green.
ISAAC WILLIAMS, HENRY BANKS AND KIT NICKLESS.
ARRIVAL OF FIVE PROM THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.
Cyrus Mitchell alias John Steel, Joshua Handy alias Hambleton Hamby, Charles Button alias William Robinson, Ephraim Hudson alias John Spry, Francis Molock alias Thomas Jackson.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS ABOUT AUGUST 1ST, 1855.
Francis Hilliard and Others.
DEEP FURROWS ON THE BACK.
Thomas Madden.
PETER MATHEWS ALIAS SAMUEL SPARROWS.
"I might as well be in the Penitentiary as in Slavery."
"MOSES" ARRIVES WITH SIX PASSENGERS.
ESCAPED FROM "A WORTHLESS SOT."
John Atkinson.
WILLIAM BUTCHER ALIAS Wm. T. MTCHELL.
"He was abuseful".
"WHITE ENOUGH TO PASS".
ESCAPING WITH MASTER'S CARRIAGES AND HORSES.
Harriet Shephard, and her five Children with five other Passengers.
EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS SECRETED.
Washington Somlor alias James Moore.
ARTHUR FOWLER ALIAS BENJAMIN JOHNSON.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS.
About the 1st of June, 1855—Emory Roberts and others.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS ABOUT JANUARY 1ST, 1855.
Verenea Mercer and others.
SLAVE-HOLDER IN MARYLAND WITH THREE COLORED WIVES.
James Griffin alias Thomas Brown.
CAPTAIN F. ARRIVES WITH NINE PASSENGERS.
Names of Passengers.
OWEN AND OTHO TAYLOR'S FLIGHT WITH HORSES, &c.
HEAVY REWARD.
Three Hundred Dollars Reward—"Tom" gone.
CAPT. F. ARRIVES WITH FOURTEEN "PRIME ARTICLES" ON BOARD.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS, LATTER PART OF DECEMBER, 1855, AND BEGINNING OF JANUARY, 1856.
Joseph Cornish and others.
PART OF THE ARRIVALS IN DECEMBER, 1855.
Thomas J. Gooseberry and others.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL OF 1850.
"An Act Respecting Fugitives from Justice, and Persons Escaping from the Services of their Masters."
THE SLAVE HUNTING TRAGEDY IN LANCASTER COUNTY, IN SEPTEMBER, 1851.
"Treason at Christiana".
WILLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT.
Female Slave in Male Attire, fleeing as a Planter, with her Husband as her Body Servant.
ARRIVALS FROM RICHMOND.
Lewis Cobb and Nancy Brister.
PASSENGERS FROM NORTH CAROLINA, [By SCHOONER.]
Major Latham, William Wilson, Henry Goram, Wiley Madison, and Andrew Shepherd.
THOMAS CLINTON, SAUNEY PRY AND BENJAMIN DUCKET.
Passed over the U.G.R.R. in the Fall of 1856.
ARRIVALS IN APRIL, 1856.
Charles Hall and others.
FIVE FROM GEORGETOWN CROSS-ROADS.
Mother and Child from Norfolk, Va., &c.
PASSENGERS FROM MARYLAND.
William Henry MOODY, BELINDA BIVANS, &c.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., &c., 1857.
George Carroll, Randolph Branson, John Clagart and William Royan.
ARRIVAL FROM UNIONVILLE, 1857.
Israel Todd and Bazil Aldridge.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
Ordee Lee and Richard J. Booce.
ARRIVAL FROM CAMBRIDGE, 1857.
Silas Long and Solomon Light—"The Mother of Twelve Children"—Old Jane Davis.
BENJAMIN ROSS AND HIS WIFE HARRIET
Fled from Caroline County, Eastern Shore of Maryland, June, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM ALEXANDRIA, IN 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM UNIONVILLE, 1857.
FROM NEW ORLEANS, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM GEORGETOWN CROSS ROADS AND ALEXANDRIA.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOUR ABLE BODIED "ARTICLES" IN ONE ARRIVAL, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM ARLINGTON, MD., 1857.
FIVE PASSENGERS, 1847.
ARRIVAL FROM HOWARD COUNTY, MD., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD.
ARRIVAL FROM RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NORTH CAROLINA, 1857.
ALFRED HOLLON, GEORGE AND CHARLES N. RODGERS.
ARRIVAL FROM KENT COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY, 1857.
MARY COOPER AND MOSES ARMSTEAD, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C.
HON. L. McLANE'S PROPERTY, SOON AFTER HIS DEATH, TRAVELS VIA THE UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD—WILLIAM KNIGHT, ESQ. LOSES A SUPERIOR "ARTICLE."
ARRIVAL FROM HARFORD COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM HOOPERVILLE, MD., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM QUEEN ANNE COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE.
ARRIVED FROM DUNWOODY COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVED FROM ALEXANDRIA, VA., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM PETERSBURG, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL OF A PARTY OF SIX, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM HIGHTSTOWN, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BELLAIR.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NEAR BALTIMORE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM THE OLD DOMINION.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND DELAWARE.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM HONEY BROOK TOWNSHIP, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM ALEXANDRIA, VA., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
CROSSING THE BAY IN A SKIFF.
ARRIVAL FROM KENT COUNTY, MD., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM CECIL COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM GEORGETOWN, D.C., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM SUSSEX COUNTY, 1858.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS IN 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.
ARRIVAL FROM SEAFORD, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM TAPS' NECK, MD., 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
ARRIVAL FROM DIFFERENT POINTS.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM FREDERICKSBURG, 1860.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
CROSSING THE BAY IN A BATTEAU.
ARRIVAL FROM DORCHESTER COUNTY, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
TWELVE MONTHS IN THE WOODS, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
A SLAVE CATCHER CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND.
"AUNT HANNAH MOORE."
KIDNAPPING OF RACHEL AND ELIZABETH PARKER—MURDER OF JOSEPH C. MILLER, IN 1851 AND 1852.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1854.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK.
ARRIVAL OF FIFTEEN FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.
THE CASE OF EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS.
HELPERS AND SYMPATHIZERS AT HOME AND ABROAD—INTERESTING LETTERS.
PAMPHLET AND LETTERS.
LETTERS TO THE WRITER.
WOMAN ESCAPING IN A BOX, 1857.
ORGANIZATION OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.
PORTRAITS AND SKETCHES.
ESTHER MOORE.
ABIGAIL GOODWIN.
THOMAS GARRETT.
DANIEL GIBBONS.
LUCRETIA MOTT.
JAMES MILLER McKIM.
WILLIAM H. FURNESS, D.D.
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.
LEWIS TAPPAN.
ELIJAH F. PENNYPACKER.
WILLIAM WRIGHT.
DR. BARTHOLOMEW FUSSELL.
THOMAS SHIPLEY.
ROBERT PURVIS.
JOHN HUNN.
SAMUEL RHOADS.
GEORGE CORSON.
CHARLES D. CLEVELAND.
WILLIAM WHIPPER.
ISAAC T. HOPPER.
SAMUEL D. BURRIS.
MARIANN, GRACE ANNA, AND ELIZABETH R. LEWIS.
CUNNINGHAM'S RACHE.
FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD LETTERS.
From Thomas Garrett—G.A. Lewis—E.L. Stevens—Sydney Howard Gay—John Henry Hill—J. Bigelowe—Ham and Eggs—Rev. H. Wilson—Sheridan Ford—E.F. Pennypacker—J.C. Bustill—Slave secreted in Richmond—G.S. Nelson—John Thompson—Wm. Penn
WILLIAM BOX PEEL JONES
Came boxed up viâ Erricson line of Steamers.
WESLEY HARRIS ALIAS ROBERT JACKSON, CRAVEN MATTERSON AND TWO BROTHERS.
CLARISSA DAVIS
Arrived in Male Attire.
ANTHONY BLOW ALIAS HENRY LEVISON
Secreted Ten Months—Eight days on the Steamship City of Richmond bound for Philadelphia.
PERRY JOHNSON, OF ELKTON, MARYLAND.
Eye knocked Out.
ISAAC FORMAN, WILLIAM DAVIS AND WILLIS REDICK.
Hearts full of joy for Freedom—Very anxious for Wives in Slavery.
JOSEPH HENRY CAMP
Sold, the day he escaped, for Fourteen Hundred Dollars—Slave Trader loses his Bargain.
SHERIDAN FORD
Secreted in the Woods—Escapes in a Steamer.
JOSEPH KNEELAND ALIAS JOSEPH HULSON
Young Master had a "Malignant Spirit".
EX-PRESIDENT TYLER'S HOUSEHOLD LOSES AN ARISTOCRATIC ARTICLE.
EDWARD MORGAN, HENRY JOHNSON, JAMES AND STEPHEN BUTLER.
"Two Thousand Dollars Reward" offered.
HENRY PREDO
Daniel Hughes, Thomas Elliott, and five others betrayed into Dover Jail.
MARY EPPS ALIAS EMMA BROWN, JOSEPH AND ROBERT ROBINSON.
A Slave Mother Loses her Speech at the Sale of her Child ... Bob Escapes from his Master, a Trader, with Fifteen Hundred Dollars in North Carolina Money.
GEORGE SOLOMON, DANIEL NEALL, BENJAMIN R. FLETCHER AND MARIA DORSEY.
HENRY BOX BROWN
Arrived by Adams Express.
TRIAL OF THE EMANCIPATORS OF COL. J.H. WHEELER'S SLAVES, JANE JOHNSON AND HER TWO LITTLE BOYS.
THE ARRIVALS OF A SINGLE MONTH.
Sixty Passengers came in one Month—Twenty-eight in one Arrival—Great Panic and Indignation Meeting—Interesting Correspondence from Masters and Fugitives.
A SLAVE GIRL'S NARRATIVE.
Cordelia Loney, Slave of Mrs. Joseph Cahell, (widow of the late Hon. Joseph Cahell, of Virginia)—Cordelia's Escape from her Mistress in Philadelphia.
ARRIVAL OF JACKSON, ISAAC AND EDMONDSON TURNER FROM PETERSBURG.
Touching Scene on Meeting their Old Blind Father at the U.G.R.R. Depot.
ROBERT BROWN ALIAS THOMAS JONES.
Crossing the River on Horseback in the Night.
ANTHONY LONEY ALIAS WILLIAM ARMSTEAD AND CORNELIUS SCOTT.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS ALIAS JOHN WILLIAMS.
BARNABY GRIGBY ALIAS JOHN BOYER, AND MARY ELIZABETH HIS WIFE, FRANK WANZER ALIAS ROBERT SCOTT, EMILY FOSTER ALIAS ANN WOOD.
WILLIAM JORDAN ALIAS WILLIAM PRICE.
JOSEPH GRANT AND JOHN SPEAKS.
Two Passengers viâ Liverpool.
WILLIAM N. TAYLOR.
"One Hundred Dollars Reward".
LOUISA BROWN, JACOB WATERS, AND ALFRED GOULDEN.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE.
Jefferson Pipkins alias David Jones, Louisa Pipkins, Elizabeth Brit, Harriet Brown, alias Jane Wooton, Gracy Murry alias Sophia Sims, Edward Williams alias Henry Johnson, Charles Lee alias Thomas Bushier.
SEVERAL ARRIVALS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.
Henry Anderson, Charles and Margaret Congo, Chaskey Brown, William Henry Washington, James Alfred Frisley, Charles Henry Salter, Stephen Taylor, Charles Brown, Charles H. Hollis, Luther Dorsey.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND.
Jeremiah W. Smith and wife Julia.
EIGHT ARRIVALS.
James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads, and Child, Mary Elizabeth Stephenson.
CHARLES THOMPSON.
Carrier of "The National American".
BLOOD FLOWED FREELY.
Abram Galloway and Richard Eden—Secreted in a Vessel Loaded with Spirits of Turpentine—Shrouds Prepared to Prevent being Smoked to Death—Abram a Soldier under Father Abraham—Senator of North Carolina.
JOHN PETTIFOOT.
"One Hundred Dollars Reward" Offered—McHenry and McCulloch Anxious About John.
EMANUEL T. WHITE.
"Would rather Fight than Eat".
THE ESCAPE OF A CHILD FOURTEEN MONTHS OLD.
Letter from "J.B."—Letters from E.L. Stevens ... Great Anxiety and Care.
ESCAPE OF A YOUNG SLAVE MOTHER.
Baby, Little Girl and Husband left Behind—Three Hundred Dollars Reward Offered.
SAMUEL W. JOHNSON.
Arrival from the Richmond Daily Dispatch Office—"Uncle Tom's Cabin" turned Sam's Brain—Affecting Letters.
FAMILY FROM BALTIMORE.
Stephen Amos alias Henry Johnson, Harriet alias Mary Jane Johnson, and their four children, Ann Rebecca, William H., Elizabeth and Mary Ellen.
ELIJAH HILTON.
From Richmond—"Five Hundred Dollars Reward" offered by R.J. Christian.... Grateful letter from Canada.
SOLOMON BROWN.
Arrived per City of Richmond—Letter from Canada containing expressions of Gratitude.
WILLIAM HOGG ALIAS JOHN SMITH.
Traveler from Maryland—William was much troubled about his Wife left behind—Letter from Canada.
TWO FEMALE PASSENGERS FROM MARYLAND.
Ann Johnson and Lavina Woolfley Sold—Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire.
CAPTAIN F. AND THE MAYOR OF NORFOLK.
Twenty-one Passengers secreted in Captain Fountain's Boat—Mayor and Posse of Officers on the Boat searching for U.G.R.R. Passengers.
ARRIVALS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES.
Matilda Mahoney—Dr. J.W. Pennington's Brother and Sons—Great Adventure to deliver a Lover.
FLEEING GIRL OF FIFTEEN IN MALE ATTIRE.
Ann Maria Weems alias Joe Wright—Great Triumph—Arrival on Thanksgiving Day—Interesting letters from J. Bigelow.
FIVE YEARS AND ONE MONTH SECRETED.
John Henry, Hezekiah and James Hill.
FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
Archer Barlow, alias Emet Robins—Samuel Bush alias William Oblebee—John Spencer and his son William and James Albert—Robert Fisher—NATHAN HARRIS—Hansel Waples—Rosanna Tonnell, alias Maria Hyde—Mary Ennis alias Licia Hemmit and two Children—Lydia and Louisa Caroline.
SAM, ISAAC, PERRY, CHARLES AND GREEN.
"One Thousand Dollars Reward".
FROM RICHMOND AND NORFOLK, VA.
William B. White, Susan Brooks, and Wm. Henry Atkinson.
FOUR ARRIVALS.
Charlotte and Harriet escape in deep Mourning—White Lady and Child with a Colored Coachman—Three likely Young Men from Baltimore—Four large and two Small Hams—U.G.R.R. Passengers Travelling with their Master's Horses and Carriage—Six Passengers on two Horses, &c.
FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND, DELAWARE, NORTH CAROLINA, WASHINGTON, D.C. AND SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLES GILBERT,
Fleeing from Davis, a Negro Trader—Secreted under a Hotel—Up a Tree—Under a Floor—In a Thicket—On a Steamer.
LIBERTY OR DEATH.
Jim Bowlegs alias Bill Paul.
SALT-WATER FUGITIVE.
SAMUEL GREEN ALIAS WESLEY KINNARD.
Ten Years in the Penitentiary for having a Copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin in his House.
AN IRISH GIRL'S DEVOTION TO FREEDOM.
In Love with a Slave—Gets him off to Canada—Follows him—Marriage, &c.
"SAM" NIXON ALIAS DR. THOMAS BAYNE.
The Escape of a Dentist on the U.G.R.R. &c.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS.
From Loudoun County, Va., Norfolk, Baltimore, Md., Petersburg, Va., &c.
HEAVY REWARD.
"Two Thousand Six Hundred Dollars Reward" Offered.
SLAVE-TRADER HALL IS FOILED.
Robert McCoy alias William Donar, and Elizabeth Sanders, arrived per steamer.
THE PROTECTION OF SLAVE PROPERTY IN VIRGINIA.
A Bill providing additional Protection for the Slave Property of Citizens of this Commonwealth.
ESCAPING IN A CHEST.
"One Hundred and Fifty Dollars Reward"—Lear Green.
ISAAC WILLIAMS, HENRY BANKS AND KIT NICKLESS.
ARRIVAL OF FIVE PROM THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND.
Cyrus Mitchell alias John Steel, Joshua Handy alias Hambleton Hamby, Charles Button alias William Robinson, Ephraim Hudson alias John Spry, Francis Molock alias Thomas Jackson.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS ABOUT AUGUST 1ST, 1855.
Francis Hilliard and Others.
DEEP FURROWS ON THE BACK.
Thomas Madden.
PETER MATHEWS ALIAS SAMUEL SPARROWS.
"I might as well be in the Penitentiary as in Slavery."
"MOSES" ARRIVES WITH SIX PASSENGERS.
ESCAPED FROM "A WORTHLESS SOT."
John Atkinson.
WILLIAM BUTCHER ALIAS Wm. T. MTCHELL.
"He was abuseful".
"WHITE ENOUGH TO PASS".
ESCAPING WITH MASTER'S CARRIAGES AND HORSES.
Harriet Shephard, and her five Children with five other Passengers.
EIGHT AND A HALF MONTHS SECRETED.
Washington Somlor alias James Moore.
ARTHUR FOWLER ALIAS BENJAMIN JOHNSON.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS.
About the 1st of June, 1855—Emory Roberts and others.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS ABOUT JANUARY 1ST, 1855.
Verenea Mercer and others.
SLAVE-HOLDER IN MARYLAND WITH THREE COLORED WIVES.
James Griffin alias Thomas Brown.
CAPTAIN F. ARRIVES WITH NINE PASSENGERS.
Names of Passengers.
OWEN AND OTHO TAYLOR'S FLIGHT WITH HORSES, &c.
HEAVY REWARD.
Three Hundred Dollars Reward—"Tom" gone.
CAPT. F. ARRIVES WITH FOURTEEN "PRIME ARTICLES" ON BOARD.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS, LATTER PART OF DECEMBER, 1855, AND BEGINNING OF JANUARY, 1856.
Joseph Cornish and others.
PART OF THE ARRIVALS IN DECEMBER, 1855.
Thomas J. Gooseberry and others.
THE FUGITIVE SLAVE BILL OF 1850.
"An Act Respecting Fugitives from Justice, and Persons Escaping from the Services of their Masters."
THE SLAVE HUNTING TRAGEDY IN LANCASTER COUNTY, IN SEPTEMBER, 1851.
"Treason at Christiana".
WILLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT.
Female Slave in Male Attire, fleeing as a Planter, with her Husband as her Body Servant.
ARRIVALS FROM RICHMOND.
Lewis Cobb and Nancy Brister.
PASSENGERS FROM NORTH CAROLINA, [By SCHOONER.]
Major Latham, William Wilson, Henry Goram, Wiley Madison, and Andrew Shepherd.
THOMAS CLINTON, SAUNEY PRY AND BENJAMIN DUCKET.
Passed over the U.G.R.R. in the Fall of 1856.
ARRIVALS IN APRIL, 1856.
Charles Hall and others.
FIVE FROM GEORGETOWN CROSS-ROADS.
Mother and Child from Norfolk, Va., &c.
PASSENGERS FROM MARYLAND.
William Henry MOODY, BELINDA BIVANS, &c.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., &c., 1857.
George Carroll, Randolph Branson, John Clagart and William Royan.
ARRIVAL FROM UNIONVILLE, 1857.
Israel Todd and Bazil Aldridge.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
Ordee Lee and Richard J. Booce.
ARRIVAL FROM CAMBRIDGE, 1857.
Silas Long and Solomon Light—"The Mother of Twelve Children"—Old Jane Davis.
BENJAMIN ROSS AND HIS WIFE HARRIET
Fled from Caroline County, Eastern Shore of Maryland, June, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM ALEXANDRIA, IN 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM UNIONVILLE, 1857.
FROM NEW ORLEANS, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM GEORGETOWN CROSS ROADS AND ALEXANDRIA.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.
FOUR ABLE BODIED "ARTICLES" IN ONE ARRIVAL, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM ARLINGTON, MD., 1857.
FIVE PASSENGERS, 1847.
ARRIVAL FROM HOWARD COUNTY, MD., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD.
ARRIVAL FROM RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NORTH CAROLINA, 1857.
ALFRED HOLLON, GEORGE AND CHARLES N. RODGERS.
ARRIVAL FROM KENT COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE COUNTY, 1857.
MARY COOPER AND MOSES ARMSTEAD, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NEAR WASHINGTON, D.C.
HON. L. McLANE'S PROPERTY, SOON AFTER HIS DEATH, TRAVELS VIA THE UNDERGROUND RAIL ROAD—WILLIAM KNIGHT, ESQ. LOSES A SUPERIOR "ARTICLE."
ARRIVAL FROM HARFORD COUNTY, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM HOOPERVILLE, MD., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM QUEEN ANNE COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE.
ARRIVED FROM DUNWOODY COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVED FROM ALEXANDRIA, VA., 1857.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM PETERSBURG, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL OF A PARTY OF SIX, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM HIGHTSTOWN, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM BELLAIR.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK, VA., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NEAR BALTIMORE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM THE OLD DOMINION.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND DELAWARE.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM HONEY BROOK TOWNSHIP, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM ALEXANDRIA, VA., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
CROSSING THE BAY IN A SKIFF.
ARRIVAL FROM KENT COUNTY, MD., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM WASHINGTON, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM CECIL COUNTY, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM GEORGETOWN, D.C., 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM SUSSEX COUNTY, 1858.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS IN 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM DELAWARE, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA.
ARRIVAL FROM SEAFORD, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM TAPS' NECK, MD., 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1859.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
ARRIVAL FROM DIFFERENT POINTS.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM BALTIMORE, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
ARRIVAL FROM FREDERICKSBURG, 1860.
SUNDRY ARRIVALS FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
CROSSING THE BAY IN A BATTEAU.
ARRIVAL FROM DORCHESTER COUNTY, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND, 1860.
TWELVE MONTHS IN THE WOODS, 1860.
ARRIVAL FROM MARYLAND.
A SLAVE CATCHER CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP.
TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1858.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND, 1859.
ARRIVAL FROM RICHMOND.
"AUNT HANNAH MOORE."
KIDNAPPING OF RACHEL AND ELIZABETH PARKER—MURDER OF JOSEPH C. MILLER, IN 1851 AND 1852.
ARRIVAL FROM VIRGINIA, 1854.
ARRIVAL FROM NORFOLK.
ARRIVAL OF FIFTEEN FROM NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.
THE CASE OF EUPHEMIA WILLIAMS.
HELPERS AND SYMPATHIZERS AT HOME AND ABROAD—INTERESTING LETTERS.
PAMPHLET AND LETTERS.
LETTERS TO THE WRITER.
WOMAN ESCAPING IN A BOX, 1857.
ORGANIZATION OF THE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.
PORTRAITS AND SKETCHES.
ESTHER MOORE.
ABIGAIL GOODWIN.
THOMAS GARRETT.
DANIEL GIBBONS.
LUCRETIA MOTT.
JAMES MILLER McKIM.
WILLIAM H. FURNESS, D.D.
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.
LEWIS TAPPAN.
ELIJAH F. PENNYPACKER.
WILLIAM WRIGHT.
DR. BARTHOLOMEW FUSSELL.
THOMAS SHIPLEY.
ROBERT PURVIS.
JOHN HUNN.
SAMUEL RHOADS.
GEORGE CORSON.
CHARLES D. CLEVELAND.
WILLIAM WHIPPER.
ISAAC T. HOPPER.
SAMUEL D. BURRIS.
MARIANN, GRACE ANNA, AND ELIZABETH R. LEWIS.
CUNNINGHAM'S RACHE.
FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER.
Preface to Revised Edition
Like millions of my race, my mother and father were born slaves, but were not contented to live and die so. My father purchased himself in early manhood by hard toil. Mother saw no way for herself and children to escape the horrors of bondage but by flight. Bravely, with her four little ones, with firm faith in God and an ardent desire to be free, she forsook the prison-house, and succeeded, through the aid of my father, to reach a free State. Here life had to be begun anew. The old familiar slave names had to be changed, and others, for prudential reasons, had to be found. This was not hard work. However, hardly months had passed ere the keen scent of the slave-hunters had trailed them to where they had fancied themselves secure. In those days all power was in the hands of the oppressor, and the capture of a slave mother and her children was attended with no great difficulty other than the crushing of freedom in the breast of the victims. Without judge or jury, all were hurried back to wear the yoke again. But back this mother was resolved never to stay. She only wanted another opportunity to again strike for freedom. In a few months after being carried back, with only two of her little ones, she took her heart in her hand and her babes in her arms, and this trial was a success. Freedom was gained, although not without the sad loss of her two older children, whom she had to leave behind. Mother and father were again reunited in freedom, while two of their little boys were in slavery. What to do for them other than weep and pray, were questions unanswerable. For over forty years the mother's heart never knew what it was to be free from anxiety about her lost boys. But no tidings came in answer to her many prayers, until one of them, to the great astonishment of his relatives, turned up in Philadelphia, nearly fifty years of age, seeking his long-lost parents. Being directed to the Anti-Slavery Office for instructions as to the best plan to adopt to find out the whereabouts of his parents, fortunately he fell into the hands of his own brother, the writer, whom he had never heard of before, much less seen or known. And here began revelations connected with this marvellous coincidence, which influenced me, for years previous to Emancipation, to preserve the matter found in the pages of this humble volume.
And in looking back now over these strange and eventful Providences, in the light of the wonderful changes wrought by Emancipation, I am more and more constrained to believe that the reasons, which years ago led me to aid the bondman and preserve the records of his sufferings, are to-day quite as potent in convincing me that the necessity of the times requires this testimony.
And since the first advent of my book, wherever reviewed or read by leading friends of freedom, the press, or the race more deeply represented by it, the expressions of approval and encouragement have been hearty and unanimous, and the thousands of volumes which have been sold by me, on the subscription plan, with hardly any facilities for the work, makes it obvious that it would, in the hands of a competent publisher, have a wide circulation.
And here I may frankly state, that but for the hope I have always cherished that this work would encourage the race in efforts for self-elevation, its publication never would have been undertaken by me.
I believe no more strongly at this moment than I have believed ever since the Proclamation of Emancipation was made by Abraham Lincoln, that as a class, in this country, no small exertion will have to be put forth before the blessings of freedom and knowledge can be fairly enjoyed by this people; and until colored men manage by dint of hard acquisition to enter the ranks of skilled industry, very little substantial respect will be shown them, even with the ballot-box and musket in their hands.
Well-conducted shops and stores; lands acquired and good farms managed in a manner to compete with any other; valuable books produced and published on interesting and important subjects—these are some of the fruits which the race are expected to exhibit from their newly gained privileges.
If it is asked "how?" I answer, "through extraordinary determination and endeavor," such as are demonstrated in hundreds of cases in the pages of this book, in the struggles of men and women to obtain their freedom, education and property.
These facts must never be lost sight of.
The race must not forget the rock from whence they were hewn, nor the pit from whence, they were digged.
Like other races, this newly emancipated people will need all the knowledge of their past condition which they can get.
The bondage and deliverance of the children of Israel will never be allowed to sink into oblivion while the world stands.
Those scenes of suffering and martyrdom millions of Christians were called upon to pass through in the days of the Inquisition are still subjects of study, and have unabated interest for all enlightened minds.
The same is true of the history of this country. The struggles of the pioneer fathers are preserved, produced and re-produced, and cherished with undying interest by all Americans, and the day will not arrive while the Republic exists, when these histories will not be found in every library.
While the grand little army of abolitionists was waging its untiring warfare for freedom, prior to the rebellion, no agency encouraged them like the heroism of fugitives. The pulse of the four millions of slaves and their desire for freedom, were better felt through "The Underground Railroad," than through any other channel.
Frederick Douglass, Henry Bibb, Wm. Wells Brown, Rev. J.W. Logan, and others, gave unmistakable evidence that the race had no more eloquent advocates than its own self-emancipated champions.
Every step they took to rid themselves of their fetters, or to gain education, or in pleading the cause of their fellow-bondmen in the lecture-room, or with their pens, met with applause on every hand, and the very argument needed was thus furnished in large measure. In those dark days previous to emancipation, such testimony was indispensable.
The free colored men are as imperatively required now to furnish the same manly testimony in support of the ability of the race to surmount the remaining obstacles growing out of oppression, ignorance, and poverty.
In the political struggles, the hopes of the race have been sadly disappointed. From this direction no great advantage is likely to arise very soon.
Only as desert can be proved by the acquisition of knowledge and the exhibition of high moral character, in examples of economy and a disposition to encourage industrial enterprises, conducted by men of their own ranks, will it be possible to make political progress in the face of the present public sentiment.
Here, therefore, in my judgment is the best possible reason for vigorously pushing the circulation of this humble volume—that it may testify for thousands and tens of thousands, as no other work can do.
WILLIAM STILL, Author.
September, 1878. Philadelphia, Pa.
And in looking back now over these strange and eventful Providences, in the light of the wonderful changes wrought by Emancipation, I am more and more constrained to believe that the reasons, which years ago led me to aid the bondman and preserve the records of his sufferings, are to-day quite as potent in convincing me that the necessity of the times requires this testimony.
And since the first advent of my book, wherever reviewed or read by leading friends of freedom, the press, or the race more deeply represented by it, the expressions of approval and encouragement have been hearty and unanimous, and the thousands of volumes which have been sold by me, on the subscription plan, with hardly any facilities for the work, makes it obvious that it would, in the hands of a competent publisher, have a wide circulation.
And here I may frankly state, that but for the hope I have always cherished that this work would encourage the race in efforts for self-elevation, its publication never would have been undertaken by me.
I believe no more strongly at this moment than I have believed ever since the Proclamation of Emancipation was made by Abraham Lincoln, that as a class, in this country, no small exertion will have to be put forth before the blessings of freedom and knowledge can be fairly enjoyed by this people; and until colored men manage by dint of hard acquisition to enter the ranks of skilled industry, very little substantial respect will be shown them, even with the ballot-box and musket in their hands.
Well-conducted shops and stores; lands acquired and good farms managed in a manner to compete with any other; valuable books produced and published on interesting and important subjects—these are some of the fruits which the race are expected to exhibit from their newly gained privileges.
If it is asked "how?" I answer, "through extraordinary determination and endeavor," such as are demonstrated in hundreds of cases in the pages of this book, in the struggles of men and women to obtain their freedom, education and property.
These facts must never be lost sight of.
The race must not forget the rock from whence they were hewn, nor the pit from whence, they were digged.
Like other races, this newly emancipated people will need all the knowledge of their past condition which they can get.
The bondage and deliverance of the children of Israel will never be allowed to sink into oblivion while the world stands.
Those scenes of suffering and martyrdom millions of Christians were called upon to pass through in the days of the Inquisition are still subjects of study, and have unabated interest for all enlightened minds.
The same is true of the history of this country. The struggles of the pioneer fathers are preserved, produced and re-produced, and cherished with undying interest by all Americans, and the day will not arrive while the Republic exists, when these histories will not be found in every library.
While the grand little army of abolitionists was waging its untiring warfare for freedom, prior to the rebellion, no agency encouraged them like the heroism of fugitives. The pulse of the four millions of slaves and their desire for freedom, were better felt through "The Underground Railroad," than through any other channel.
Frederick Douglass, Henry Bibb, Wm. Wells Brown, Rev. J.W. Logan, and others, gave unmistakable evidence that the race had no more eloquent advocates than its own self-emancipated champions.
Every step they took to rid themselves of their fetters, or to gain education, or in pleading the cause of their fellow-bondmen in the lecture-room, or with their pens, met with applause on every hand, and the very argument needed was thus furnished in large measure. In those dark days previous to emancipation, such testimony was indispensable.
The free colored men are as imperatively required now to furnish the same manly testimony in support of the ability of the race to surmount the remaining obstacles growing out of oppression, ignorance, and poverty.
In the political struggles, the hopes of the race have been sadly disappointed. From this direction no great advantage is likely to arise very soon.
Only as desert can be proved by the acquisition of knowledge and the exhibition of high moral character, in examples of economy and a disposition to encourage industrial enterprises, conducted by men of their own ranks, will it be possible to make political progress in the face of the present public sentiment.
Here, therefore, in my judgment is the best possible reason for vigorously pushing the circulation of this humble volume—that it may testify for thousands and tens of thousands, as no other work can do.
WILLIAM STILL, Author.
September, 1878. Philadelphia, Pa.
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