July 6/5
(14) Arrived_ Fourteen came by one arrival, from Norfolk_ as follows_ Isaac Forman, Henderson Williams, Wm Seymour, Harriet Taylor, Mrs. Walker, Mary Bird, Mrs. Lewey, Sarah Saunders, Sophah Gray, Henry Gray, Mary Gray, (Sopha Gray & her children lived in Portsmouth,) Winfield Scott, belonged to Wm Taylor
Isaac is about 50 yrs of age, dark, tall & well made & quite genteel & intilligent, He was owned by Geo. Brown who resided at Deep Creek; he never used him well_ of late years had encreasedly the hire of Isaac_ For 30 yr’s he had hired his own time finding himself every thing food, clothing &c.
He left a wife, Polly, whom he told before leaving of his intentions_ He also left two Daughters, Amelia A. and Mary Jane_ both Slaves_
Henderson was owned by the Estate of Abriggs In life had been used rugged_ Left a wife, Julia, and 2 children_ all free. He was lib liable to be sold, to settle the Estate, which was the cause of his escape_ He is about 31 or 32, of a stout & healthy appearance. Worth $1200_
Wm is about 34 yr’s, chesnut color, well made & intelligent. He was owned by Wm Taylor, “a very hard man, one of those men that cannot be pleased, would not get a pleasant ans., one time in fifty”_
Maransa Stiles alia Mrs. Walker is about 38 yrs of age, dark, good looking_ quite large, but active_ She was owned by Auther Cooper of Georgetown, but She had been hired out for the last 20 yr’s, paying $5_ per mo. besides having herself to find. Of her owners she could say nothing good_ She left a husband a slave_
Rebecca Lewey is about 28 yr’s of age, healthy, stout & genteel For a slave she has had no very hard usage, but nevertheless She was anxious for her freedom.
Mary Knight is about 26 yr’s of age, single woman, dark stout & genteel_ had been used hard_
Nine (9) July 21st 1856
Arrived per Capt. F. the following Passengers from Va. & North Carolina: Peter Hines[1], from EatontownN.C., James Morris[2], from Norfolk, Matthews Baddums[3], PlymouthN.C. James monroe[4], South End, N.C., Chas. Thompson Portsmouth, va, Charity Thompson, Nathaniel Bowser, Porthmouth, Thos Cooper, Porthmouth. George Anderson, Elkton, Md.[5]_
Peter is 21 yr’s of age, Molato_ good looking, well made, and intelligent, As a Slave he had not been used hard as many slaves are_ He was owned Elias Hines, Lawyer, and was his body servant_
James is 27 yr’s of age is quite intelligent, and can read & write_ He was owned by Ann McCourt, a desperate woman, “I never knew any good thing of her towards me,” said James_ He was moved to leave on account of the threat, which had been made to sell him. As a slave he had been badly used. Had been sold three times_ but found no good owners.
Mathew is 23 yr’s of age, very stout, no fool, indicates resolution & inergy_ Is quite black &c, He was owned by Sam’l Simmons_ From him he had recd very badly treatment_ He left a Bro. in Martin Co.
July 28/56_ (2) Arrived_ Richd. Reed[6], & James Reed[7]_(old names Perry, Shepherd & Isaac Reed_ and was owned by Sarah Ann Burgess, & Benjamin Franklin Huston_ Lived on the Eastern Shore, Md.
Richd left his wife Milke Ann_ and 2 children Nancy & Rebecca_ all Free_
James’ wife was, named Hester Ann Louisa, & his children as follows_ Philip Henry Harriet Ann & Mary Jane Elizath.
July 28/56
Arrived (4) Thos. Johnson[8], old name Geo. Sperryman, fled from Richmond_ had been owned Necholas Templeman_
Volentine Spires[9]_ now Jno. Wesley, fled last Christmas from Denwoody near PetersburgVa. He had been owned by Jesse Squires, M.D.
Volentine left before he thought he was unjustly treated.
Geo. Tyler[10], old name David Green_ fled from Warrington near LeesburgVa. had been owned by Elliot Curlett,_ He was threatened by his owner which caused him to flee. Left a wife & one one child_ both slaves_
Wm Gilbert[11], old man James Johnson_ fled from Prince George’s Md_ where he had been owned by Thomas Walker, Wm Gilbert is about 35 yr’s of age_ stout and hearty looking
Harriet Gilbert[12] wife of Wm G. is about 25 yrs of age. she had been owned by Wm T. Wood_ Had been well treated &c. But he Master had of late taken to liquor & She was in danger of being sold_
[1] The life of Peter Hines in slavery is briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 316. Peter settled in Toronto, Canada West.
[2] The details of the life of James Morris in slavery are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 316-17. James settled in Toronto, Canada West. He wrote often to William Still seeking to secure the escape of his wife and child from Norfolk. Still did not know if the two ever fled.
[3] The life of Matthew Bodams in slavery is briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 317. Matthew settled in Toronto, Canada West.
[4] After leaving Philadelphia, James Monroe settled safely in Toronto, Canada West. Still, Underground Rail Road, 317.
[5] William Still offered no further sketches of the balance of these fugitives.
[6] William Still refers to this individual as Perry Shepard in Still, Underground Rail Road, 319.
[7] William Still refers to this individual as Isaac Reed in Still, Underground Rail Road, 319.
[8] William Still refers to this individual as George Sperryman in Still, Underground Rail Road, 319.
[9] The life of Valentine Spires is briefly sketched in Still, Underground Rail Road, 319.
[10] William Still refers to this individual as David Green in his brief recounting of his life in Still, Underground Rail Road, 320. George’s owner had threatened to sell him.
[11] William Still refers to this individual as James Johnson in his brief recounting of his life in Still, Underground Rail Road, 320.
[12] The life of Harriet in slavery is briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 320.
