Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 473   Enlarge and print image (49K)

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Still, William, Underground Rail Road:
A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters, Etc.

Porter & Coales, Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, 1872
Call Number: 1400, MSA L1117

MSA L1117, Image No: 473   Enlarge and print image (49K)

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448 TEE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD JOBIAH was twenty-three. A more promising-looking subject to represent the fugitives in Canada, was not readily to be found. His appearance indicated that he was a young man of extra physical powers, at least, one not likely to turn his face again towards Egypt. JOSIAH'S gain was the loss of Thomas J. Hodgson {above alluded to). For full three years this desire aiid determination to be free had been in Josiah's heart. The denial of his manhood nerved him to seek for refuge in a foreign clime. GEORGE, the last named in this party, gave his age as twenty-six. In appearance he was not behind any of his comrades. He fled from a farmer, (the late "William Jackson), who owned, it was said, " sixteen head." He had recently died, leaving all his slaves in bondage. Seeing that the settlement of the estate might necessitate the sale of some of the slaves, George thought that he had better not wait for the division of the property or anything else, but push ahead with the first train for Canada. Slavery, as he viewed it, was nothing more nor less than downright robbery. He left his mother, one sister, and other near kin. After George went to Canada, his heart yearned tenderly after his mother and sister, and, as the following letter will show, he was prepared to make commendable exertions in their behalf: ST. CATHARINES, JULY 19th, 1858. DEAR SIR:—With pleasure I now inform you that I am well, and hope this may find you and yours the same also. I hope kind sir you will please to see Mr. Paul Hammon, to know when he will try to get my Mother and Sister I wish him to send me word when he will go so I may meet him. in Philadelphia. And I will Endevor to meet him there With some money to assist him in getting them. Let me know when you start for them so I may be able to meet yon there, please after ibis letter passes from you sir, give it to John Camper tell him to give it to his Mother, BO that ray Mother can get it, be careful and not let no white mun get hold of it. I am now living with my cousin Leven Parker, near Saint Catharines, $10 a month. No more at present, from your friend, GEOEOE BALLAKD. The inquiry may arise, as to how such passengers managed to get through Maryland and Delaware. But it cannot be expected that the manner in which each arrival traveled should be particularly described. It might Dot be prudent even now, to give the names of persons still living in the South, wjbo assisted their fcllo\y-men in the dark days of Slavery. In order, however, that some idea may be gathered as to the -workings of one branch of the road in Delaware (with names suppressed) we insert the following original letter for what it may be worth. CAMDES, June 13, 1858. MR. STIU,:—I writ to inform you that we stand in need of help if ever we wonted help it ia in theas day, we have Bin trying to rais mouey to By a hors but there is so few here that we can trust our selves with for fear that they may serve us as torn otwell eerved them when he got them in dover J&iL But he ia dun for ever, i wont to no if