(5)                  June 22/55
Arrived_ W^m Nelson[1] and Susanhis wife[2], and his son W^m Thomas; also Louisa Bell[3] & Elias Jasper[4], all arrived from Norfolk, per Capt. B.
       W^m is about 40, dark chesnut, medium size, very intelligent_ member of the MethodistChurch, under the charge of the Rev. Mr. Jones.  His owner’s name was Turner & Whitehead_ with whom he had served for 20 yr’s in the capasity of “Packer”.  He had been treated with mildness in some respects_ though had been very tighly worked_ allowed only $1.50 per week to board & clothe himself and family upon_ Consequently he was obliged to make up the balance as he could.  Had been sold over.  one sister had been sold also.  He was prompted to escape because he wanted his liberty_ was not satisfied with not having the priviledge of providing for his family,  His value $1000_  Paid $240_ for himself, wife & child & Mrs Bell.
              Susan is about 30, dark, rather above medium size, well made good looking, intelligent &c, and a member of the same church to which her husband belonged_ Was owned by Thos. Bottimore with whom she had lived for 7 yr’s_  Her treatment a part of the time had been mild_  the marriage of her master however made a change_ after ward she had been treated badly_  Her master to gratify his wife constantly threatening to sell her.  4 of her Sisters had been sold away to parts unknown years ago.  Left Father & mother, 3 Brothers & one sister.  Still in Verginia_ living about 100 miles from Norfolk.  $1000 was the demand of the owner for Susan & her child 22 mos. old.
              Louisa Bell is the wife of a free man. is about 28 chesnut color good looking_ intelligent, genteel, and a member of no church.  Was owned by L. Stasson, Confectioner_  He lot had been terrible on account of the continual threats to sell her.  Had once been sold_ had also had 5 sisters sold besides her Mother. Louisa was oblige to leave two of her children behind_ a boy 6 yrs & a girl 2 ½ yrs_ the boys names was Robt. & the girls Mary.  Her husband, James Bell is to come on.
              Elias Jasper is about 32 yrs, dark, well featured, very gifted with his tounge & hands_ had worked at the following trades_ Rope making, Carpentering, Engineering, Chair making Painting, Mechanist & Degaurreotyping, at which calling he was employed when he left.  For several yrs he had been in the habit of hiring his time for which he had paid $10. per month_   In learning the above trades he was obliged to gain the insight by his own ingenuity_ paying occasionally for a lesson.  His Master’s Bayham, a retired gentleman_  Had been sold once  Had suffered by various exposures, by flogging,  &c.  Left a wife, Mary, but no child.  Was not at liberty to inform her of his scheme to leave.  She is owned by the Miss. Portlock’s_ Has been used tolerable well_ pays $55_ per year_, washes &c.
He is a member of the Methodist Ch.  Often heard his Paster preach up obedience to the slaves_ Value $1200_

[1] William Nelson was a deeply religious man despite the pro-slavery orientation of the southern Methodist Church.  He settled with his wife, Susan Bell, and child, William Thomas, in St. Catherines, Canada West, and there changed his name to Thomas Russell.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 262-63.

[2] Susan Bell settled in St. Catherines, Canada West, with her husband and child.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 263-64.

[3] Further details on Louisa Bell are contained in Still, Underground Rail Road, 264-65.  She settled in St. Catherines, Canada West, where she found good employment.

[4] Further details on Elias Jasper are contained in Still, Underground Rail Road, 265.

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