| Traveler's Names | John and Lamby Roach |
|---|---|
| Age | 33 |
| Description | – |
| Alias | – |
| Origin- Town/City | Seaford |
| Origin- County | Sussex |
| Origin- State | Delaware |
| Destination | Canada |
| Birthplace | – |
| Slaveowner's Name | Joshua O'Bear |
| Chapter Title | Sundry Arrivals from Maryland, 1859 |
| Page Number | 505-506 |
| Other Travelers | James Andy Wilkins and wife Lucinda, with their little boy, Charles, Charle Henry Gross, a woman with her two children--one in her arms--John Brown, John Roach, and wife Lamby and Henry Smallwood |
| Other Conductors | – |
| Additional Names | – |
| Method of Travel | by foot |
| Additional Resources | – |
| Items in Possession | – |
| Full Narrative | JOHN and LAMBY ROACH had been eating bitter bread under bondage near Seaford. John was the so-called property of Joshua O'Bear, "a frac- tious, hard-swearing man, and when mad would hit one of his slaves with anything he could get in his hands." John and his companion made the long journey on foot. The former had been trained to farm labor and the common drudgery of slave life. Being a man of thirty^hree years of age, with more than ordinary abilities, he had given the matter of his bondage considerable thought, and seeing that his master " got worse the older he got," together with the fact, that his wife had recently been sold, he was strongly stirred to make an effort for Canada. While it was a fact, that his wife had already been sold, as above stated, the change of ownership wasnot to take place for some mouths, consequently John " took out in a hurry." His wife was the property of Dr. Shipley, of Seaford, who had occasion to raise some money for which he gave security in the shape of this wife and mother. Horsey was the name of the gentleman from whom it was said that he obtained the favor ; so when the time was up for the payment to be made, the Dr. was not prepared. Horsey, therefore, claimed the collateral (the wife) and thus she had to meet the issue, or make a timely escape to Canada with her husband. No way but walking was open to them. Deciding to come this way, they prosecuted their journey with uncommon perseverance and success. Both were comforted by strong faith in God, and believed that He would enable them to hold out on the road until they should reach friends. |
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[Author (if known)], Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.
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