History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 119

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 119

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A few incidents connected with the " Underground Rail- road" travel will illustrate the dangers attending it to both fugitives and their friends, the hair-breadth escapes that were made, the prudence and promptness of action re- quired, and the unselfish and unwearied labors of those who periled their property and their own liberty to aid the slave who sought their assistance in securing his frec- dom.

In 1818 two fugitives were sent to John Viekers from his father's, and were hidden in an attic. All things moved along in their accustomed orderly way during the forenoon ; the women felt a sense of satisfaction that two fugitives were resting secure under their roof, and the negroes were fondly dreaming of freedom and happiness soon to be theirs. Suddenly the kitchen-door burst open, and in rushed John, pale and trembling with anxiety, and said, " The owners of thesc slaves are at my father's searching the house, and they'll soon be here. We must get the men away at once." With almost the swiftness of an arrow he sped up-stairs, mounted a ladder, removed the attic-door,. told the men of their peril, hurried them down to the back-yard, bade them flee across the field to a wood and make good their escape. This was barely accomplished when the pursuers, like hounds in close chase of the deer, rode up to the opposite side of the house and demanded entrance.

"It will be of no use to scarch my house," said John, " for I know there are no fugitives in it."

" We'll soon see about that," was the tart response. "They were seen coming this way."

Without further ceremony they commenced searchiug the house from cellar to garret, under beds and in closets, and in every nook and box where they thought a man could be doubled up. John accompanied them with the utmost placidness,-he knew the slaves were fast lengthening the distance between themselves and their hunters.

Reaching the garret and yet finding no one, they were about giving up in despair when one of them espied a trap- door in the ceiling leading to the attic. Elated with this timely discovery he shouted in his hoarse voice, "There they are; they're up in that attic; we'll search there !"

" They are not there," said John; " we never use that place."

" But you have a way to get there, and we must see into it."

" It will be of no use," continued John, " for there is no one there I know."

" We must see," was the laconic and mandatory reply.

The ladder was given them; they ascended and groped. around in the dark over the uncovered joists until fully convinced the objects of their search were not there. In- censed at their disappointment, and chagrined over their utter failure, they abandoned all further efforts. On leav- ing the house one of them caustically remarked, " We might as well look for a needle in a hay-stack as for a nigger among Quakers." They, however, continued their search in the neighborhood, but with no better success. The slaves got safely to Canada.

Two women from Virginia, one very light colored, left their master to seek a home of freedom in the North. They were pursued, captured, and placed in jail. During the night a few Abolitionists and the jailer assisted them in escaping through the roof. A reward of $1000 was offered for them. They were brought in the night to John Vickers. On account of this reward and the recent enact- ment of the fugitive-slave law, imposing a fine not exceed- ing $1000 and imprisonment not exceeding six months upon any individual harboring or giving aid to fugitives, and $1000 for each slave who was lost to his master through their assistance, it was necessary to use the utmost caution in forwarding them along the line. They were therefore taken to William Hall's, a retired place near by, and about one and a half miles from a public road, and there secreted three days and nights until arrangements could be made at headquarters in Philadelphia for receiving and forwarding them without delay. J. Miller McKim and James Mott agreed to receive them at the latter's house at eight o'clock on a specified morning. J. Vickers and his daughter Abbie supplied them with provisions, and then started with them in the night for Philadelphia, a distance of thirty miles. It was very dark and stormy, and while passing through a woods about half-way to the city they got too near the edge of the turnpike-road and upset. The dearborn was broken, the horse kicked loose from the harness, but was held firmly by the lines and restrained from running, while the first concern of the women was to know if " missus was hurt.". Fortunately, all escaped without injury.

Hiding the colored women in the woods, John and his daughter went back a mile and a half to a tavern and pro- cured another wagon. To avoid even a suspicion of his

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THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

having fugitives in his charge in case any one should come to his assistance, he ordered the women to remain perfectly quiet until he gave a particular sound of voice as a signal that he was ready for them. This precaution proved as fortunate as it was wise, for the tavern-keeper kindly took his own horse and went with them to the spot, gathered up the broken vehicle, and took it back to his place to have repaired next morning. At the given signal the women emerged from their wet covert, lively and laughing at "massa's" success.

With this delay they did not arrive at James Mott's until ten o'clock, two hours after the appointed time. Mil- ler McKim was there tremulous with anxiety lest the party had been captured. Agents immediately took charge of the women. The one who was so white and good-looking was at once dressed in different attire with false curls, and Isaac T. Hopper, taking her by the arm, walked with them to the wharf, registered their names on the boat as Isaac T. Hopper, lady, and servant, and accompanied them to New York, where they were received by other agents and for- warded to Canada.

A company of eleven men, women, and children left the South in a body, willing to peril everything for liberty. The slave-holders immediately started out men in a body after them, sending large advertisements in advance. These advertisements always opened the eyes of Northern " under- ground agents," and put them on the alert. The company all arrived at the home of Graceanna Lewis and sisters. They had been there but a short time when William Still learned at the anti-slavery headquarters in Philadelphia where they had stopped. He dispatched a special mes- senger at once to Lewis' to apprise them of the danger, and to request them to scatter the company as widely as possi- ble. The party were immediately given a change of cloth- ing, so as to baffle recognition ; the women and children were dressed quite handsomely, their hats and bonnets being trimmed with artificial flowers. They were then sent, with some of the men, to different stations on the Reading Railroad, so that the number at any one place would not excite suspicion. Taking the same train as it arrived at these different stations, this portion of the party was again united, and all went through to Canada within twenty-four hours. The other men of the party were sent out in different directions to hire with farmers and thus earn money enough to pay their own passage.

A fugitive named George Harris came to the house of Dr. Bartholomew Fussell, who then lived near Hamorton. In some respects he possessed extraordinary qualities of mind. He was raised in Maryland or Virginia, was sold and taken to Georgia, near the boundary line with Florida. He was young and full of energy, and determined not to live a life of slavery. Undeterred by the long distance to be traveled on foot, or the privations to be endured and risks incurred before he could reach Mason and Dixon's line, he started on the journey, resolved not only to make the undertaking, but to succeed in it. For directions he relied entirely upon the course of the railroads running north and his memory of the country through which he passed going south. His narration of the journey abounded in incidents of peril, humor, and even romance.

Longwood being one of the first stations on the road after leaving Wilmington, on the boundary line with Dela- ware, the family of John and Hannah Cox, residing there, were often called upon, chiefly in the night, and were ever ready to aid the fugitive on his way to freedom. They fed and clothed all who needed it, and either directed or took them to the next station, as it was unsafe to keep them long so near the State line. When women and children were to be sent from Wilmington they were generally taken by a colored man named Jackson. Arriving, he gave three distinct raps upon the paling fence. This well-known sound aroused the family, who responded by the interroga- tory, " Who's there ?" "Friends," was the reply. They were admitted, food prepared for them, and were then taken farther on. This well-known and hospitable family aided hundreds on their way to freedom, and incidents of peril and anxiety were not rare.

The home of Isaac and Dinah Mendenhall, in Kennet, ten miles from Wilmington, was another of the most im- portant stations near that end of the route. Fugitives came there direct from the slave States, even as far south as North Carolina ; but the greater number were sent by Thomas Garrett, who gave them a few lines, by which they would be known as no impostors, and then, directing what road to take, told them to " go on and on until they came to a stone gate-post, and then turn in." As great numbers came to this place, they were taken or sent in different di- rections, some to Darby, others to Philadelphia, or to John Vickers', and many to Simon Barnard's, and to other sta- tions in that vicinity.

With the exception of two or three cases in York County, in the very earliest period of the Underground Railroad, no slave was ever captured while under the care or direction of the managers of this transportation line. Some who remained to work for farmers throughout the country, when it was discovered, by advertisements or otherwise, that they were fugitives, were informed on by persons who, Judas-like, betrayed them for a paltry re- ward, and they were remanded to the inexorable chains of a slaveholding power. Such a case occurred in West Chester.

Rachel Harris, at one time a slave, lived many years in this borough, and occupied a small house by herself on West Miner Street, where Dr. Thomas Ingram's house now stands. She was ever lively and cheerful, and her clear, strong, musical voice, as she sat in her doorway in the evenings and sang, was heard in all that part of the town. She was employed by as many families as she could serve to do their weekly washing and ironing, and in house- cleaning times her services were always in demand.

A large reward had been offered for her, and a man in West Chester learning this, and having a more selfish love for money than a regard for her liberty, informed her mas- ter where she was living. He came, engaged a constable to go with him, proceeded to her house, arrested her, and took her before Judge Thomas S. Bell, and proved his property. While the examination was going on in the judge's office, then located at the southeast corner of Church and Miner Streets, she asked permission to step out into the back-yard, which was granted, the officer accom-

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

panying her. The moment she entered the yard she ran to the board fence surrounding it, about seven feet high, and, as if assisted by an Unseen Hand, scaled it with the agility of a cat, and fled. The constable had not time to seize her, for she left him in the quickness of a flaslı ; nor. could he with his best efforts climb that fence to pursue her.

Rachel sped out the alley, up High Street to Samuel Auge's hat-store, dowu an alley and through the hat-shop, over a vat of boiling liquid, frightening the men as though an apparition or a comet had suddenly darted among them, out through an alley back of Dr. Worthington's stable, and into the kitchen of John T. Worthington's house, where Caleb E. Chambers' leather-store is now situated. Rushing up to Mrs. Worthington she threw her arms around her. " For God's sake, take me in, save me, my master is after me !" cried the poor affrighted woman. " Oh, I guess not," said Mrs. Worthington, trying to soothe her. " He is ! he is ! they had me, but I got away from them. Oh, hide me somewhere quickly, do !"

Her emotions and piteous appeal convinced Mrs. Wortlı- ington that she was actually pursued, and immediately she took her up to the garret, hid her in a cubby-hole, fastened the door and returned. Shortly after her husband came home to dinner, the family took their seats around the table, and no sign was manifest that anything unusual had occurred.

The constable, exasperated at her successful escape, and mortified at his discomfiture, went back into the office and told his tale. Bewildered and amazed at such an instan- taneous flight, they knew not for a moment what to do. Gathering their senses again, they determined upon an im- mediate and vigorous search. Hearing in the afternoon that something like a phantom had passed through "Sammy" Auge's shop that day, they went thither imme- diately, examined the alley and Dr. Worthington's stables, and passed by John T. Worthington's house without call- ing. The Beneficent Hand that guided her to this place still threw the protecting mantle around her, and it did not enter the minds of her pursuers to make inquiries here; but meeting John on the street, they asked if he had seen or heard anything of her. He told them he had not. His wife had fortunately revealed nothing to him. Rachel had washed for Mrs. Worthington for many years, and was be- loved by her as a faithful, honest woman ; and now in her distress she could return the measure of faithfulness. The colored woman had frequently said she would rather be cut to pieces than be returned to slavery.

In the afternoon Mrs. Worthington informed Samuel M. Painter of the case, and asked him to send his carriage in the evening for her, and to bring a man's hat, overcoat, and boots, which was done; and, dressed in male attire, she stepped into the carriage and was driven to John Vickers', who immediately forwarded her on the direct route to Can- ada. She afterwards wrote to Hannah Jefferis and others of her friends in West Chester stating that she arrived there safely, and was happy and contented.

The slave-master and constable continued their hunt in West Chester for two days, and then abandoned it.

For the part Mrs. Worthington took in this escape her

friends for a long time humorously called her "the little Abolitionist."

Not only were fugitives liable to be informed upon and returned to bondage, but for upwards of a quarter of a cen- tury free negroes were subject to the danger of being sent into slavery on certificates of justices of the peace, founded on fictitious claims fabricated by kidnappers for the pur- posc. When a negro was arrested as a slave, all that would be done was to attend the hearing before the justice, ascer- tain the character of the evidence exhibited by the claim- ant, and present such proof of a contrary tendency as could be had. Enoch Lewis, when quite a young man, and a teacher at the boarding-school at Westtown, was well ac- quainted with the law relating to the rendition of slaves, and was frequently called upon on behalf of colored persons claimed as fugitives from labor. In each case he exerted himself to the utmost to prevent free persons from being carried off as slaves, and his success on such occasions was valuable in keeping the justices, who usually favored the claimants, to the strict line of their duty.

The residence of Enoch Lewis, at New Garden, was long a station on the Underground Railroad during the time of Isaac Jackson, its former owner, and it continued to be so many years after. Although Enoch did not approve of encouragement being given to slaves to leave their masters, and thought no general good would be derived from it, yet if a fugitive sought a temporary asylum beneath his roof, or a helping hand when fleeing from slavery, his claim to hospitality and charitable aid was never denied. If slaves were closely pursued, a horse and carriage were promptly furnished to convey them to a safe distance.

SERVANTS AND REDEMPTIONERS.

Servitude by indenture, which was little better than actual slavery, was very common in colonial days. The master owned the time, if not the body, of the servant, and public sentiment allowed of treatment which would not now be tolerated. Servants were in great demand in the. early settlement of the country, and to supply this demand persons would bring over cargoes of laboring people and dispose of them on their arrival here. Indentures were prepared in England, binding the servant, in consideration of his passage, necessary clothing, and provisions, to serve for a number of years-rarely less than four-after his arrival in Pennsylvania. Judging from the early court records, there were few laborers except those whose service was by indenture. Even mechanics sold themselves, or were sold, for a specified time. Orphan children were brought to court to be "adjudged," there being on one oc- casion, in 1697, no less than thirty-three whose terms of service were fixed by the court. The following are samples of entries on the records about this time:

" Francis Chadsey brought a boy whose name was Alexander Stew- ard, who was adjudged to serve eight years from the 14th of Septem- ber last past, to be taught to read and write, or else to serve but seven years; also, he had a servant maid whose name is Ann Bearn, who was adjudged to serve five yoars from this Court, to said Francis Chadsey or his assigns."

" William Cope brought a boy whose name is Thomas Harper, who was adjudged to serve five years and three quarters, if he be taught to read and write, or else to serve but five years, to him or his assigns."

"AVON." RESIDENCE OF SAMUEL C. KENT, WEST GROVE.

: 25%-TR

RESIDENCE OF BRINTON KING, PENNSBURY.

431

INDIAN TRADERS.

"Elizabeth Withers brought a servant girl whose name is Margaret Mongey, who was adjudged to be eleven years of age, and to serve ten years to Thomas Withers or his assigns."

"Henry Nayl brought a servant boy to the Court whose name is Alexander Stewart, whose time the said Nayl had bought of Francis Chadsey, and the said hoy consents and agrees to serve the said Henry Nayl one year and a quarter above his time by record, if the sd Henry Nayl teach him the trade of shoemaker; if not, the said Nay) to allow the said boy satisfaction for the overplus time as the Court shall allow."

" Elinor Clayton, an orphan of the age of fourteen years, was or- dered hy the Court to serve Daniel Hoopes for the term of seven years, on condition that he should teach her to read, knit and sew, and pay £12 according to the order of the Court."

Owing to harsh treatment the servants were continually running away, and much of the business of the courts con- sisted in hearing the complaints of masters and servants, and judging the latter to serve additional time for running away. In 1721 mention is made, in a letter from England, of a consignment of forty-seven servants, sent over on ac- count of the London Company. Captains of vessels brought over many servants and sold their time here to pay for their passage. These were called redemptioners, and the custom was continued into this century.

A remarkable case, if true, was that of James Anncsley, son of Arthur Annesley, Lord Altham, who, being left an orphan, was enticed on board of an American vessel by an uncle who wished to get possession of the estate, and sold as a servant by the captain on his arrival at Philadelphia. Watson fixes the place of his servitude near the fortieth milestone on the Lancaster road, where he remained about twelve years. In 1740 he was discovered by two Irishmen from his native place. Through the influence of persons who became interested in his case he returned to Ireland, and in 1743 instituted suit against his uncle, who was now in possession of the property. He gained the suit, but, pending an appeal to the House of Lords, the claimant died. A full account of the trial was published at the time, but it does not state where Annesley lived in this country. The case has furnished the groundwork of " Rod- erick Random," " The Wandering Heir," by Charles Reade, and other novels. Reade locates the scene in this country near Wilmington.

It became the custom for those who imported servants to take them in companies through the country, in order to dispose of them to farmers. They were, on this account, termed "soul-drivers," and an anecdote is told of one who had finally disposed of all but one of his drove, who was a pretty smart fellow. Putting up at a tavern for the night, the servant rose first, and sold his master to the landlord, to whom he gave a good account of the fellow, except his habit of lying, and warned him that he would probably try to pass himself off as the master.

The well-authenticated cases of brutality exercised to- wards these people in time past leads one to think there must be some improvement in the state of society at this day.

As many persons are unfamiliar with the old form of an indenture of apprenticeship, we here give one in full ; in this case there is nothing peculiar, except the compensation of live stock :

" This Indenture Witnesseth that Elizabeth Hastings, Daughter of Henry Hastings of West Bradford in the County of Chester and

Province of Pensilvania, Yeoman, hath pat herself and by these presents doth voluntarily and of her own free will and accord and with the Consent of her Parents pat herself Apprentice to Phebe Buffington of West Bradford afforesaid and after the manner of an ap- prentice to serve her from the day of the Date hereof for and During the Term of Five Years Eight Months next ensuing the date hereof, During all which Term the said Apprentice her said Mistress faith- fully shall serve, her secrets keep, her Lawfal Commands gladly every where obey. She shall do no damage to her said Mistress nor soe it to be done by others without Letting or giving notice thereof to her said Mistress. She shall not waste her said Mistress's good nor lend them unlawfully to any, She shall. not Commit fornication nor Contract Matrimony within the said Term. At Cards, Dice, or any other unlawful Game she shall not play whereby her Mistress may have Damage, With her own goods nor the goods of others, without Licence from her said Mistress she shall neither buy nor sell. She shall not absent herself Day nor Night from her Mistress's service without her leave, nor haunt Ale-Houses, Taverne or Play Houses, but in all things behave herself as a faithful apprentice ought to do, During the said Term. And in Consideration of the said Term the said Mistress shall procure and provide for her said apprentice Suffi- cient meat, Drink, Apparel, Lodging and Washing fitting for an ap- prentice both in health and sickness During the sd Term, Together with Two Cows and two Calves, Each Cow and Calf to be worth Four pounds of Current money of Pensilvania in the following manner- One Cow and Calf to be delivered anto above named Heury Hastings for the use of said apprentice in the spring in the year 1746 and the other Cow and Calf in the spring in the year of our Lord 1748. And the said mistress shall learn her said apprentice to Sew and Knitt so as to know how to make a man's Shirt and knitt Stocking and to give her one month's schooling in Reading and Writing within the said Term and at the Expiration of said Term said Mistress shall procure for her said apprentice One full Suit of new Apparel besides her workiog apparel. And for the trae performance of all and every the said Covenants and agreements either of said parties bind themselves unto the other hy these presents. In Witness whereof they have In- terchangeably put their hands and seals this ninth day of April One Thousand Seven hundred and forty and three. 1743

" PHENE BUFFINGTON [SEAL.]

"Signd seald and Deliverd in

the presence of

" JOHN BUFFINGTON

"AMY BATE

"JNº MOCANTY"

One month's schooling in five years would not now be considered a very liberal allowance.

INDIAN TRADERS.

In 1722, James Le Tort petitioned the court of Chester County to recommend him to the Governor for license as an Indian trader, on the ground that he had followed that business for twenty-five years. He was licensed, and gave his bond in the sum of £100, with Silas Pryor, yeoman, of Chester County, as his surety.

In the same year James Patterson, of Conostegoe, peti- tioned, indorsed by Ezekiel Harlan, who went on his bond when appointed. In 1723 said Patterson was re-licensed, with James Mitchell as bondsman. This year John Burt, of Conestogoe, also petitioned, and was indorsed by said Mitchell, who went on his bond when reappointed by the Governor.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 119

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162