Nov. 20/55
(21) at one arrival_ arrived from Norfolk, per Cap. F.[1], the following passengers_ Allan Tatam[2], Daniel Car[3], Michael Vaughn[4], Thos. Nixon[5]_ Fredrick Nixon[6], Peter Petty[7], Nathaniel Gardner, John Brown, Thos. Teamour, James Foster, Godfrey Scott, Willis Wilson, Nancy Little, John Smith, Frances Haines, David Johnson, Phillis Gault, Alice Jones, Ned. Wilson Sarah C. Wilson[8]
       Alan is about 30 yrs of age medium size, dark, intelligent and appears of to be of moral habits. For the last 14 yrs had been owned by Lovey White, a widdow, who was the owner of 9 slaves. from whom she derived her support.  In her habits she was considered moderate was a member of the Methodist Ch.  Alan had been in the habit of hiring his time for the last ten years_ for which he pd $120_ himself having to make up besides the sick time and find his own clothes.  He was prompted because he disliked his Mrs.  Said she was a mean principled woman.  Left 3 sisters, 1 Bro. and a daughter.  The names of the sisters & Bro were as follows: Mary, Ann, Rachel, W^m, daughter Mary.
       Daniel is about 38 yrs of age, dark molato, well made, intelligent and manly in his appearance.  He had belonged to a man by the name of  John C. M^cBole (steam mill) of PlymouthN.C.  By M^cBole he had only been owned 2 yrs_ M^cB having paid $1150_ for him. Before M^cB bought him he had lived in Portsmouth Va. where he had been raised.  Since he had been sold.  In life, a part of the time he had been used hard.  Since after being sold to N.C. he made unsuccessful attempts to escape for which on one occasion especially he was stripped naked and flogged severely.  For 3 months prior to his last escape he fled to the swamp and their surrounded with snakes, wild cats, Bears, Coons &c.&c. remained till his chance offered to come north.  He had a wife in Portsmouth before he was sold, was after he was taken to N.C. he only was allowed the priviledge of visiting her once.  Being thus debared he resolved to escape.  His wife has three children, all are slaves _  The wife, Hannah,; children, Sam, Daniel & the babies he never saw_ it name he does not know.  Member of the Methodist
      Michael is about 31 yrs of age, rather stout, quite intelligent, dark &c.  He left because his Mrs. was a very disagreeable woman. For all his life he had belonged to her_  But for the last 8 yr’s he had hired his time annually_ at $120_ a year for part of the time, having to find his board, clothing and all of the Expences_  Had a wife & one child, who were slaves, but not to the same owners to whom he belonged_  Had to leave without feeling at liberty to apprise his wife of the fact of his being about so to do; as he could do nothing for her he feared if he told her it might create an excitement.  Her name was Esther.  Worked in a Foundrey _________
       Belonged to the methodist ch.  His Mistress was a member of the Baptist Ch.
       Thos. is about 19 yrs of age, quite Black, and quite sensible,  He left because he had got tired of staying with his owners; fearing that they might sell him he concluded to take such such steps as would save them the trouble,  His owners were not so bad about whipping but was very close, did not want to allow servants any chance to make any thing extra.  His owner was named Bockover_  He was a wholesale grocerer, and lived no. 12 Brewer St._  He left behind, his Mother & 3 Bros._ his Farther he never saw_ being sold away when he was a little boy.  Member of the Methodist ch.  His owner also belonged to the same ch.
              Fredrick is about 33 yrs of age, dark, medium size, well made, smart & a member of the Methodist Ch.  He fled because his owners wanted to work him hard without allowing him any thing.  As to usage he had been used ruff_ especially in his younger days.  His owner was a Mr Bockover. merchant and a member of the MethodistChurch.  He lef his wife, Elizabeth and 4 Children.  They were living in Eatontown N.C.  He had not seen them for nearly 1 year_ nor had he any prospect of being United with her should he have remained. Since he was first separated from his wife three yrs had elapsed.
              Peter is about 24 yrs of age, of slender make, pleasant countenance, genteel manners, intelligent and active.  He had been owned by Jos. Bonkley, Hair inspector, roudeish in his habit, deceitful and Slye would readily sell his slaves.  P. left because of “hard bonage, something like the children of Israel.”  For his hire he was compeled to pay $156_ per. Annum.  Even when he lost time by sickness or rainey days he was oblige to make up all that time besides find all his clothes &c.  He left a wife, Louvina, and child Eliza_ slaves_ He told his wife of his ententions to which he agreed_  He left Parents_ all his Bros. & sisters were sold_  He would have sold Peter but beleiving that he had “too good religion to run away” kept him.  His master was a Methodist, also Peter belonged to the same church.  Speciman of Preaching_ “servants obay your Masters” – “Good servants makes good masters”__ “when your mrstress speaks to you don’t pout out your mouths”_ “when you want to go to church ask your mistress & master”__  Never heard but one Preacher preach against slavery_ and he had to leave, and come north.  A Quaker lady spoke against Slavery in meeting one day which caused an out brake which resulted in the braking up of the meeting

[1] Captain Fountain was an antislavery ship captain who operated a schooner between Chesapeake-region ports such as Norfolk, Petersburg, and Richmond, and Delaware River ports such as Wilmington and Philadelphia.  In 1854, both an Abraham and a John Fountain worked in Philadelphia as ship carpenters.  Many of the enslaved in these towns, especially those who worked on or about the wharves, knew of his services; some were even willing to pay for his assistance.  He was responsible for covertly transporting a large number of fugitives to Philadelphia.  His efforts were unusually perilous, and on several occasions, he was challenged by local southern authorities who were determined to uncover slaves they were certain were secreted on his vessel.  While in the port of Norfolk with fugitives hidden on his ship, Captain Fountain’s vessel was subjected to a close inspection by the town’s mayor and a number of his officers.  They speared the wheat with long lances and hacked at the floorboards with axes in search of fugitives, but the composed Captain successfully deflected them from the fugitives’ coverts.  At one point, he even assisted them with the chopping.  They soon left grumbling, and he sailed away with his precious cargo.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 165-68.

[2] These details of Alan Tatum’s life are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 168.

[3] The life and perilous flights of Daniel Carr are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 168-69.

[4] Michael Vaughn sorely missed his wife and child after his escape.  After leaving Philadelphia, he settled in New Bedford, Massachusetts from where he wrote William Still seeking assistance for the escape of his wife and child.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 169-70.

[5] These details of the life of Thomas Nixon in slavery are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 170.

[6] Frederick Nixon fled slavery in large part because of how it so brutally separated him from his wife and child.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 170.

[7] The details of the life in slavery of the very devout Peter Petty are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 170-71.

[8] The balance of the individuals transported by Captain Fountain were not discussed in Still’s volume but he did observe that “[a]mong them were some good mechanics—one excellent dress-maker, some “prime” waiters and chambermaids; --men and women with brains, some of them evincing remarkable intelligence and decided bravery, just the kind of passengers that gave the greatest satisfaction to the Vigilance Committee.”  Still, Underground Rail Road, 168.

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