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: 515   Enlarge and print image (50K)

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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: 515   Enlarge and print image (50K)

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490 TBE UJfDEBOSOUSD SAIL SO AD. had ae many hands and feet as I have, and is as able to work for his bread aa I am; and I made up my mind that I wouldn't stay to be a slave under him any longer, but that I would go to Canada, and be my own master." James left his poor wife, and three children, slaves perhaps for life. The wife's name was Esther Ann, the children were called Mary, Henry, and Harriet. All belonged to Jesse Laten. GEORGE LEWIS had more years than any of his companions, being about forty years of age. He had been kept in as low a state of ignorance as the ingenuity of a slave-holder of Delaware could keep one possessed of as much mother-wit as he was, for he was not quite so ignoraut as the interests of the system required. His physical make and mental capacity were good. He was decidedly averse to the peculiar institution in even' 'particular. He stated, that a man named Samuel Laws had held him in bondage—that this " Laws was a man of no business—just sat about the house and went about from store to store and sat; that he was an old man, pretty grey, very long hair. He was a member of a church in the neighborhood, which was called Radical." Of this church and its members he oould give but little account, either of their peculiarities or creed; he Baid, however, that they worshipped a good deal like the Methodists, and allowed their members to swear heartily for slavery. "Soraethiug told" George that be had worked long enough as a slave, and that he should be man enough to take the Underground Rail Road and go off to a free country. Accordingly George set out. "When he arrived at the station he was so highly delighted with his success and the prospect before him, that he felt very sorry that he hadn't started ten years sooner. He said that he would have done so, but he was afraid, as slave-holders were always making the slaves believe that if they should ever escape they would catch them and bring them back and sell them down South, certain ; that they always did catch every one who ran off, but never brought them home, but sold them right off where they could never run away any more, or get to see their relatives again. This threat, George said, was continually rung in the ears of the slaves, and with the more timid it was very effective. JACOB BLOCKSON, after reaching Canada, true to the pledge that he made to his bosom oorapauion, wrote back as follows: SAINT CATHARINES. Cannda West, Dec. 26th, 1858. DBAB WIFE :—I now infom you I am in Canada and am well and hope yon are the wune, and would wish yon to be here next august, yon come to suspension bridge and from there to St. Catharines, write and let me know. I am doing well working for a Butcher this wmter, and will get good wages in the spring I now get $2,50 a week. I Jacob Blockson, George Lewis, Oeoige AUigood and James Alligood are all in SU Catharines, and met George- ROM from Lewis Wright's, Jim Blockson is in Canada West, Md Jim Dolany, Plunnoth Connon. I expect you my wife Lea Ann Blockaon. my son