Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1853, 9

1853                                                                                                            

Nov. 16th       Philadelphia

                   Archer Barlow [1] alias Emit Robin, directly from Norfolk_ where he had been _____ for the last 4 Yr’s by Dr Geo. Wilson, who had used him very hardly, exacting $120- a year for his services, besides making him find himself.

                             Archer is about 31 Yrs of age_ dark molato_ and of medium size_ During the last year he had been sickly, but he was not released from his obligation to pay his wages, nevertheless.  This inhuman barbarity was what induced him, more than anything else, to fly for his liberty.  He had been married & had one child but both were dead  Was duly examined & forwarded.

                   Expences                                                                          $3.35

Nov. 16         Philadelphia

                   Arrived_ Joseph Henry Champ [2]_ age 20_ uncommonly smart & good looking_ He was _____ Dr K. Clark who was a hard man.  The very day that Joseph fled for his liberty he had been sold to a Trader for $1400_ without the least notice before hand from his owner of that fact.  Of the fact of his being sold he was apprised by a Mr. Robt. Parrett of Parson & King’s Express office  So, that night, instead of going to to meet the fate of which he had just been forworned, he made an earnest resolve to strike for freedom_ was successfully secreted for 3 weeks_ His mother being a slave resolved to go with him, but in the course of a weeks time she became faint hearted and gave up the struggle__  Consequently she was detected and sold.

Was duly examined & forwarded
Expences                                                                      $3.23
Letter to & from J.H.hillll                        .20                    $3.43

Notes

[1] Further details on Archer Barlow and his escape from slavery are contained in Still, Underground Rail Road, 203-04.  He eventually settled in Boston, Massachusetts.

[2] For further details of Camp’s escape, see Still, Underground Rail Road, 66-7.  Camp settled in Canada.

 

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