Nov. 19th 1856
(4) Arrived_ Jacob Brown owned by Lewis Brown of Washington, N.C. arrived per Boat_ He had been badly treated. Dark, medium size and about 28 yr’s of age.
James Harrison came from Middletown Del., and had belonged to Catherine Odine. Complexion yellow, good looking intelligent &c. Had been badly used.
Benj. Piney, came from Manna, Baltimore Co. Md_ where he had been owned by Mary Hawkins_ age 22, dark complexion, medium size and intelligent. Left because of ill treatment, and to shun being sold to Georgia_ having threatened_ Left his mother Esther Pinney; his Brothers & sisters had all been sold.
John Smith, age 19_ yellow, stout built, with marked features of mind &c had been owned by Dr Abraham Street, living at Marshall Destrict_ Harford Co, Md. Had a plenty to eate, drink, and wear, but was not willing to stay in slavery_ “I left for sport” I wanted to see the country_ If he had kept me in a Hogheade of sugar I would not stayed.” Left his Mother Ann Smith, and one sister, Charlotte.
They told me any thing_ “told me to obay my Master, but I did not mind that, I am going off to see the Scriptures”
Nov.26/56
(4) Josiah Bailey[1], Wm Bailey[2], Peter Pennington[3] & Eliza Nokey[4], all came from Md. in company,
Josiah is 29 yrs of age, well made good looking, genteel intelligent &c His Master was named Wm R. Hughlett, a farmer & Dealer in Ship Lumber; and was the owner of some 40 slaves_ In his habits he was generally thought to be moderate, though was in the habit of flogging_ Male or Female adults, when he felt so disposed_ Josiah was his Forman on him he depended to lead his harvest fields and to manage the hauling of his Ship Lumber &c. Consequently he was regarded as one of the most valuable hands $2000_ he was estimated at.
3 weeks since, two weeks before fled he striped Joe & flogged him severely, Simply because he had had a dispute with with one of the slaves who had stole $7_ of his hard earnings from him. He left his wife and 3 children owned by Hughlett_ The wifes Name was Ann Maria and the children as follows: Ellen, Ann Maria & Isabella_
The whipping started in him for freedom_
Wm Baily was owned by John C. Henry, a large Slaveholder, and decidedly a very hard Master_ Wm left because of a late flogging from the man whom he was hired to In appearance he was prepossessing
TWO THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARDS.—Ran away from the subscriber, on Saturday night, November 15th, 1856, JOSIAH and WILLIAM BAILEY, and PETER PENNINGTON. Joe is about 5 feet 10 inches in height, of a chesnut color, bald head, with a remarkable scar on one of his cheeks, not positive on which it is, but think it is on the left, under the eye; has intelligent countenance, active and well made. He is about 28 years old. Bill is of a darker color, about 5 feet 8 inches in height, stammers a little when confused, welll made and older than Joe; well dressed, but may have pulled kearsey on over their other clothes. Peter is smaller than either the others, about 25 years of age, dark chesnut color, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high.
A reward of fifteen hundred dollars will be given to any person who will apprehend the said Joe Bailey and lodge him safely in the jail at Easton, Talbot co., Md., and $300 for Bill and $800 for Peter.W. R. HUGHLETT,
JOHN D. HENRY,
T. WRIGHT
[1] William Still observed that Josiah Bailey “was a man of more than ordinary parts, both physically and mentally.” Josiah apparently left Philadelphia for Canada with the others. Still, Underground Rail Road, 272-74.
[2] The recent details of the life of William Bailey in slavery are contained in Still, Underground Rail Road, 273-74. He apparently left Philadelphia for Canada with the others.
[3] William Still offers no details on Peter Pennington. He did mention, however, that he left for Canada with the others. Still, Underground Rail Road, 274.
[4] William Still offers no details on Eliza Nokey’s life. He did mention, however, that she left for Canada with the others. Still, Underground Rail Road, 274.