Published on Historical Society of Pennsylvania (https://hsp.org)


Journal C of Station No. 2, William Still, 1856, 7

Apr. 9th Arrived_ James Johnson[1] arrived from Deer Creek,
(1)    Harford Co. Md. where he had been owned by Wm Rantly_ The Day before James fled was the day fixed for his  Escaped with Hand cuffs on

Apr. 10th Arrived_ Chas. Carter[2], Geo. Loguon[3] & John Wm Loguon[4]_ all arrived last night safely_
(3)          Chas. Carter, is 30 yrs of age, molato, well made, good looking genteele & intelligent, and came from Richmond Va. where he had been owned by Daniel Delaplain, Flour Inspector.  Chas has been hired out the greater part of his life_  As to treatment he has not been so badly abused as many others.
       His Master was a dear lover of money_ but upon the whole was regarded as a pretty clever kind of a man
Chas came into his possession through his wife_  The motives inducing Charles to escape was to keep from being sold_  His wife lives in Alexandria with 4 small children  Her name is Lucinda.
       Geo. is 23 yr’s of age, quite dark, appearance good, medium size, and seem resolute enough to Struggle hard rather than be returned to Slavery.  As to treatment, he does not complain in particular
       The name of the own was Mrs. Jane Coulston.
              John is also dark, well made, medium size, intelligent & active and Miss Cox near Little Georgetown Benckley, Co. Va.
       Geo. also came from near little Georgetown.

Apr. 11th Arrived_ James Henry Watson[5], came from Snowhill, WorchesterCounty, Md._ from the tyranicle control of James Purnell, Farmer_
              James Henry is about 20 yr’s of age, dark, well made, modest seems fearfull of apprehension &c.  He was moved to escape to get his freedom_ others she had heard of who had run away and got free and he thought he could do so to.
       Mr. Purnell, “was not so very hard on his Slaves;” “a kind of a good sort of a man”.
              James left his parents, and 3 Bros. & 5 sisters_ all owned by the family from whom he escaped_
       Ephram Nevin, the Farther, his Mothers name Mahalah, oldest Brother Horace, next oldest, Wm Gaines, Wm Sorn, James was the next, oldest sister Hester, next Betsey, Dinah_ Catherine & Harriet.  all but one of this family belonged to Purnell.


[1] James Johnson’s owner sought to secure him with handcuffs the day before he was to be sold.  A determined James fled still shackled to the restraints.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 383.

[2] Charles Carter’s life in slavery is recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 383-4.

[3] George Logan’s life in slavery is briefly characterized in Still, Underground Rail Road, 384.

[4] Despite an indulgent owner, John Logan longed for freedom.  Still, Underground Rail Road, 384.

[5] These details of James Henry’s life in slavery are recounted in Still, Underground Rail Road, 384.

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