Jim (b. circa 1828 - d.
?)
MSA SC 5496-51301
Fled from slavery, Caroline County, 1851
Biography:
Jim was a young man, likely around 23 years old, when he fled from the northernmost district of Caroline County. He had been owned by Robert McConegal, a fairly successful merchant, whose operations were located in Greensborough. Jim was one of four slaves that the man owned as of 1850, but little is known about the servitude that they endured.1 Regardless, all of the bondsmen were probably concerned when their master died unexpectedly in 1851. Even worse, McConegal had not left a will, which meant that there was no guarantee that his belongings would remain with family on the Eastern Shore. African-American slaves, being some of the most valuable and easily disposed of property, were in great danger of being sold in these situations. Particularly during this time period, enslaved blacks held much more value for traders, who would often transport them to the growing cotton plantations of the Deep South. Especially when there were estate debts to pay off, Maryland slave holders were hard pressed not to accept the generous offers of those who advertised "Cash for Negroes".2
In this case it is difficult to determine the intentions of the estate administrator, the deceased's brother Samuel McConegal. Jim wasted little time in waiting for the outcome. Instead he chose to flee the area "on or about the thirteenth day of September", soon after his owner's death.3 There had been two African-American sailors, John Stanford and Wright Satterfield, who were living in the McGonegal household during the previous year.4 It is possible that Jim utilized these men's maritime knowledge and connections to find his way out of Caroline County, though no such accusation was ever made. The escape was not even documented until 1860, when the surviving brother had a notice placed in the Caroline County Court Minutes.5 Here he described Jim as a slave for life, who was "dark chestnut complexion," and "somewhat knock-kneed." However, by that time it would have been quite difficult to describe the man accurately, and it was unlikely that he would have stayed in the surrounding area.
McConegal gives no explanation
for the nearly nine
year wait, but he might have expected Jim to return on his own as some
slaves did. Unfortunately, official records reveal little else about
the
fugitive's life after bondage. Coming from this area of the Eastern
Shore,
Jim probably would have heard of the subversive acts of Harriett Tubman
and her various accomplices. While there is no supporting evidence, Jim
may have been one of the many who benefitted from the strong
Underground
Railroad network that led dozens of Maryland slaves to freedom in the
North.
Researched and Written by David Armenti, 2011.
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