May 12^th 1854
Arrived_  Stephen Amos[1] alias Henry Johnson, wife Hariet, alias Mary Jane Johnson, and their four children_ viz. Ann Rebeca, W^m H, Anna Elizabeth & Mary Ellen & _ all from Baltimore where the Mother & children had been held by W^m Gidding who resides in Prince George’s County_ In the early days of the Mother she had been treated tolerable well for one in her condition, but of late years she had experienced in some instances very peculiar hardships in various ways
       Some 7 years ago a Bro. of the owner for a triffling offence struck & kicked Hariet so severely that it thrown her into a spell of great Illness for all one summer.  To pass numerous other outrages which She had suffered it may be sufficient to state that about 1 year before She made her escape she was seized by her owner and thrust in Prison to be sold_ but the prompt interferances of the owner’s Uncle She was released from Prison and got out of his hands_ still he failed not to make efforts to execute his design, and doubless would have succeeded but for the fact that he was under age & also under the guardianship of the Uncle who interfered, &c.  Consequently after much difficulty and effort plans where made by which the family altogether escaped.
       The Mother is a bright molato good looking_ tall, well made mannerly in her address & quite intelligent age 26_ The children are also fine, & healthy looking_ and of the class which would doubless bring high prices in the Market.
       The husband had been owned by John I. Giddings who was a mild Man, and from whom he purchased his freedom 18 mos. ago.  It is just to state also that he encouraged Stephen to flee with his wife to save her from the merciless treatment of her owner who was a gambler, Horse Racer, &c.
       Stephen is a man of dark complexion_ well built_ genteel, intelligent &c.  In geting away he meet with considerable difficulty from Imposters, &c, but faltered  not_ so succeeded

       To Boarding Henry Johnson & family  1 ¼ day                                      $3.00
        “   Cash                                                                                          8.75
        “   1 Trunk                                                                                      1.25
        “   Telegraphic Dispatch                                                                       .25
        “   Porter                                                                                          .06

[1] Apparently Stephen Amos’s former master was so outraged with the treatment Amos’s wife received from her owner that he counselled Stephen to flee with his wife and children.  For further details of their lives, see Still, Underground Rail Road, 160-61.

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