Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1856

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Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1856

                             Crossing the Potomac
                             On Horseback

 (2)                        Jan 2nd 1856
Arrived_ Robert Brown[1], new nam[e] Thos. Jones, arrived safely from Martinsburg, Va.  Robert is about 38 yr’s of age, molato, medium size, preposessing in appearance & intelligent  In making his flight he took a horse and sadle with him, and swame the Potomac River on the horse_ after riding all night_  the weather exceedingly inclement and stormy, he left the horse near Messursburg, Pa., and afterwards walked to Harrisburg_ wearing his feet very sore.
       Some time previous to his escape the master of Robert’s wife through lust wished to cohabit with her, but not succeeding in his sensual designs became angry with her; and for spite sold her and her children.  They had 4 children the oldest 11 & the youngest 8 weeks old_  Robt. escape is attributable to the grief he suffered from the sale of his family.  Robert was the slave of Col. John F. Hamtsance of Martinsburg.  He was intemperate, and very pasionate.  His wife was named Sarah_ “she was cruel to all her servants_” they could not live with her_ she had to hire servants_  A lock of hair, of each member of his family he brought with him.
       Samuel Garrett[2], old name Alexander Munson, left Chester town, Md._ He 18 yr’s of age chesnut color, well grown_ well formed intelligent &c.  according to the will of his he was entitled to his freedom, but the man who had him in hand made a practice of selling those entitled there before they came into possession of it_  Two who were intitled to they free[dom] had been Sold to alabama, without hope of freedom.


[1] Robert Jones fled on Christmas night and suffered extreme exposure to cold and ice during a perilous crossing of the Potomac.  The last few days of his flight, he walked to Harrisburg.  Once he reached Philadelphia, he revealed not only the locks of hair from each of his children and his wife, but a daguerreotype of her as well.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 120-22.

[2] Alexander Munson—as William Still refers to him in his book—fled successfully to Canada.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 335-36.

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