Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1855, 11
July 18/55
(1) Arrived_ Henry Crummell[1] arrived from Baltimore Co., Goughingstown, Md. Had been owned by Wm Roberts, Farmer, and hard master. Had 7 others_ all young_ Henry left on last Saturday night_ Walked to Harrisburg, from thence came on the Burthen train. _
Henry is six feet high, black, 25 years of age face rather inclined to long and spair. Left no wife, nor parents, nor Brothers & sisters_
July 30/55
(1) Arrived_ Henry Bohm[2] arrived from Va_ near Norfolk. About 25 yrs of age_ Stout built, dark &c.
3 Aug. 1st 1855
Arrived_ (8) Ralph Whiting[3], James H. Forman[4], Anthony Atkinson[5], Auther James[6], Isaiah Nixon[7] Jos. Harris[8], John Morris[9] & Henry Hodges[10]. arrived from NorfolkVa.
Ralf is about 26 yrs of age, 5 ft 10 ins high, dark, well made, intelligent and a member of the Methodist Ch. Geo. W Kemp claimed him as his property He was a moderate man; and was cashier of the Exchange Bank. He left a wife, slave owned by Mr Weston. Her name is Lydia. Left 2 children Anna Eliza & Cornelius.
James is 23, dark molato- fine looking, near 6 feet high. Was owed or held held by James Saunders. Left for freedom sake_ and to Keep from being sold. Left two Sisters_ besides his Parents.
Anthony is about 36, Dark molato, near 6 ft high, well made, genteel, intelligent &c. Was owned by Josiah Weles of Norfolk._ Left because he wanted his freedom. Left a wife_ no children. Father & one sister & two Bros. A. had been sold three times.
Auther is 41, 6 ft high, [we]ll made, chesnut color, & intelligent. He was owned by John Jones, Farmer, & of moderate temporement. “I wanted my liberty, said Auther,” was the cause of my leaving.
Left mother, two sisters & 3 Bros_ all slaves.
Isaiah is about 22, Black, smart small &c. He was owned by Sam. S. Simmons_ a very hard Master. He left on account of bad treatment, Left mother & 3 Bros, all slaves,
Joseph is 23 yrs of age, dark well made, sizable, & intelligent. Left David Morris, moderate man. The want of liberty caused J. to escape.
Left Parents, 3 Bros. & two sisters. Henry left s. Simmons of Plymouth, N.C. He is 23 yrs of age well made &c
[John] is 21 yr’s of age, about 5 feet [?i]ns. dark, &c He had been secreted for 7 mos.
Was owned by Ed. Bloomer. His master was disposed to sell him_ this caused him to leave
Left mother, 1 sister & two Bros. all in Norfolk & Portsmouth.
Henry Hodges is about 25 from N.C.
[1] The escape of Henry Cromwell is briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 268.
[2] The sparse details of the flight of Henry Bohm are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 268.
[3] The details of the life and flight of Ralph Whiting are repeated in Still, Underground Rail Road, 269.
[4] The details of the life and flight of James Forman are repeated in Still, Underground Rail Road, 269-70. Forman settled in Niagara Falls, Canada West, and by early July 1856 his betrothed, Mariah Moore, arrived in Niagara Falls. They were married on the 22nd of the month.
[5] Anthony fled Norfolk in the close quarters of a ship’s hold. He settled in Canada. Still, Underground Rail Road, 270.
[6] The brief details of the life and flight of Arthur Jones are repeated in Still, Underground Rail Road, 270.
[7] The life and flight of Isaiah Nixon are briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 270.
[8] The life and flight of Joseph Harris are briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 270.
[9] John Morris suffered horribly during the seven months he was secreted, waiting for the right moment to flee. Still, Underground Rail Road, 271.
[10] Henry Hodges was enslaved in Plymouth County, North Carolina, by the same man, Samuel Simmons, as Isaiah Nixon. Still, Underground Rail Road, 271.