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: 472   Enlarge and print image (49K)

 Jump to  
  << PREVIOUS   NEXT >>
clear space clear space clear space white space


 

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: 472   Enlarge and print image (49K)

 Jump to  
  << PREVIOUS   NEXT >>
ARRIVAL OF A PARTY OF SIX, 1858. 447 them." In addition to this report he said that "the suffering from deep snows and starvation was fearful," all of which Horatio believed "to be a lie." Of course he concealed this opinion from his master. Many such stories were sounded iu the cars of slaves but without much effect. LEMUEL, John aud Josiah were brothers. Lemuel was thirty-five, and might be called a jet-black. He was uncommonly stout, with a head indicative of determination of purpose, just suited to an Underground Rail Road passenger. He fled from James R. Lewis, " a tall, stout man, very wealthy and close." Lemuel said that be fed and clothed the slaves pretty well. He bad invested to the extent of twelve bead. No money or privileges were allowed, and for a small offence the threat to sell was made. It was Lemuel's opinion that his master's wife made him worse than he otherwise would have been. JOHN was twenty-four years of age, of unmixed blood, and of a quiet demeanour. He belonged to Miss Catharine Cornvell, of Viana. John described her as " tolerable good-looking, but real bad." His sister and one other slave besides himself comprised her entire stock (of slaves). According to John's story, his mistress was in the habit of telling her slaves that she did not " intend that any of them should be free if she could help it;" this sentiment was uttered s-o "scornfully" that it "insulted" Jack very much. Indeed, it was this that put the idea of Canada into his mind. The more she kept the idea of perpetual Slavery before the slaves, the more Jack resolved to make her arrogance cost her one slave at least. Miss Cornwall was uot only a warm advocate of Slavery, but was likewise a member of the Methodist church, under the pastoral charge of the Rev. J. C. Gregg. On one occasion, when the minister was visiting Miss C., the subject of Slavery was introduced in John's hearing. The reverend gentleman took the ground that it was not right to hold slaves,—said there were none in Pennsylvania, etc. The young mistress showed little or no sign of thinking otherwise while ho remained, " but, after he was gone, she raved and went on in a great way, and told her brother if he (the minister), ever married her, he would have to come out of his notions about freedom." It was John's opinion that the subject of matrimony was then under consideration between them. For himself, he was highly delighted with the minister's " notions of freedom," as he had heard so many high notions of Slavery. In reference to the labor usage under the young mistress, John said that they had been "worked very hard, and especially last, and the present year." "Last year," he stated, "they had hardly any meat, but were fed chiefly on herring. Seeing that it was going to be the same thing this year too, I thought that if I could make my escape to Canada, I would do it." lie had strong parental and kindred ties to break, but resolved to break them rather than remain under Miss Corn-well.