May 22/54
Arrived_  Clarissa Davis[1] from Portsmouth, Va, where she was owned by Mrs. Burkley & Mrs. Brown, with whom she had always served_ Claracy is about 22 yr’s of age, of a Bright Brown color_ rather below the medium size_ good looking genteel & amiable in manners_ Two & a half months had elapsed since she with two of her Bros. set out for their liberty_ the Bros. Succeeded at the time, but until last Wednesday Clarissa was kept secreted waiting a chance to escape_  Agreeable to her wish & prayer, on the day & evening she was to start, it rained very hard_ which circumstances alone afforded her the chance of escape_ On going to the Boat (C. of R.[2]) at 3 o’cl. A.M. she saw no one_ went on the Boat & was secreted in a small Box near the Furnace_ where it was very hot_ where she suffered & thought she must die_ wanted water very much but was unable to get any_ suffered on in that condition until She reached here  A reward of $1000- was offered for Clarissa & her two Bros.

Of her Mistress Clarissa Spoke favourably_ had not been used hard as many are_ had been promised her freedom until recently when she learned that at the death of her Mistress she would in all probability have to be sold_ this news of course made her feel the value of freedom, & in seeking it succeeded

To Cash                                                                                                 3.50
 “   Carriage by Shorter                                                                               .50
 “ 1 days board                                                                                         .50
                                                                                                          $4.50

[1] Clarissa Davis had to endure many weeks in uncomfortable hiding before the opportunity to escape on a steamship arose.  She disguised herself as a man and boarded the vessel at 3:00 in the morning.  William Bagnal, the steward on the vessel, helped secret her in a horribly hot space near the boiler.  After leaving Philadelphia, she went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where her brothers and sisters already lived.  They were soon joined by their elderly father, who fled slavery in Portsmouth as well.  She regularly corresponded with William Still.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 60-61.

[2] The steamship City of Richmond.

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