Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1855, 12
August 2nd /55
Arrived, (2) Robert Jones & wife[1] arrived from Petersburg, Va. R. is about 35, chesnut color, medium size, genteele & intelligent, and had been owned by Thomas N. Lee, a very hard man._ Left because he wanted his liberty_ always had from a boy_
Eliza is about 40 yrs of age. chesnut color, nice looking, well dressed &c. she belonged to Eliza H. Riche, who was called moderate woman.
Aug 4/55
Arrived_ (1) Rebecca Hall[2], (old name Louisa Harding) R. is 17 yrs of age, molato, nice looking, & seems to be a Smart girl_. Left because she wanted to be free. Had been owned by Lawer Magill of Baltimore. Left Mother & 1 Bro. (Moses Harding)_ the mother was free but the Bro. was not.
(1) Arrived_ John Mackintosh[3], arrived from DariAnn[4]Georgia was owned by Thos Mackintosh. John is 44_ had had a hard time
(1) Aug. 7/55
Arrived_ Chas. Hickman, (new name Robinson) & Geo. Houston both safely arrived from Indian River, Del. Left_ Chas., Henry Hickman & Isaac Houston_ Farmers. Chas. & Geo. were both single. About 6 feet high very athlethic and stout made_ chesnut color &c
(1) Aug. 14/55
Arrived_ Marria Jane Houston[5], arrived from Cantwells BridgeDel. She is about 21 yr’s, tall, dark & well made. Lawfully she was entitled to her freedom at the age of 21, but was about to be cheated out of it.
Aug. 15/55
(1) Arrived_ Miles Hooper[6] safely reached here from N.C. (Federal)_ Fled from Chas. Montigue, of the ab. named place. Miles is about 23 yr’s of age, dark, not stout, intelligent &c. _ His owner was a hard master. Left parents, living_ also Bros. & sisters_ all scattered_
(1) Saml Miles[7] (new name Robt. King) left Henry Miles, Revels Neck, Summersett Co. Md. The master had been a fractious man_ hard to please &c._ saml is about 31 yr’s. of age, well made, dark, sensible &c. Left because he was denied the liberty of visiting his wife, besides allowed no liberties of any kind. Left a wife, Sarah Miles, one child, Littleton Henry. Free.
(1) James Hinson[8] new name David Coldwell, Left Cecil Co. Md. a week ago., where he had been owned by Joel Brown, last owner was Jacob Johnson. James was entited to his freedom at the age of 28 but his owner had kept him out of it.
He is about 32, well made, intelligent, and gives evidence of possessing much determination of mind.
Left a wife & child, both Free.
(1) Aug. 16/55
Arrived_ Laura Lewis[9] arrived from Louisville Ky. had been owned by a widow lady, Mrs. Lewis, who died last March leaving her property to be devided amongst her heirs_ Consequently Lauria with the rest of the slaves were all to be sold. To keep from being sold was what caused her to escape.
Laura is about 25 yrs of age, of portly stature, molato, intelligent & prepossessing. Certainly has been a highly favoured Slave_ Severl times had been North with her Mrs. &c. Left behind her mother Bro. & sister, living at Louisville
[1] The life and flight of Robert Jones and his wife, Eliza, to Philadelphia and then to Hamilton, Canada West, are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 271-72. Once in Canada, Robert became an active correspondent with William Still and described his various efforts to improve himself and the conditions of the fugitives in Canada. In one letter, he detailed how he had created a military company among the local black men and secured the Governor General of Canada West’s sanction for it. It was designated Queen Victoria’s Rifle Guards.
[2] The life and flight of Rebecca Hall are briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 289.
[3] John Mackintosh is briefly mentioned in Still, Underground Rail Road, 289.
[4] Darien, Georgia.
[5] The life of Maria Jane Houston is briefly recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 289.
[6] The life and flight of Miles Hooper are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 290.
[7] Samuel Miles fled successfully to Philadelphia and then to St. Catherines, Canada West, where he settled. In late August 1855, he wrote William Still about assisting his wife and child to his refuge in Canada. They were both free. Still, Underground Rail Road, 290.
[8] The details of the life and flight of James Henson are contained in Still, Underground Rail Road, 291.
[9] The life and flight of Laura Lewis are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 291.