Record #30 from Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad - Enduring Connections

Traveler's Names	James Massey
Age	–
Description	likely-looking young man, dark, tall , and sensible and worth about $1000
Alias	–
Origin- Town/City	Level Square
Origin- County	Queen Anne's
Origin- State	Maryland
Destination	Canada
Birthplace	–
Slaveowner's Name	James Pittman
Chapter Title	Eight Arrivals
Page Number	143
Other Travelers	James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads and child, Mary Elizabeth Stevenson
Other Conductors	–
Additional Names	–
Method of Travel	–
Additional Resources	–
Items in Possession	–
Full Narrative	ST. CATHARINES, C. W., April 24, 1857. DEAR WIFE ? I take this opertunity to inform you that I have Arive in St. Catharines this Eving, After Jorney of too weeks, and now find mysilf on free ground and wish that you was here with me But you are not here, when we parted I did not know that I should come away so soon as I did, But for that of causin you pain I left as I did, I hope that you will try to come. But if you cannot, write to me as soon as you can and tell me all that you can But dont be Desscuredged I was sory to leave you, and I could not help it for you know that I promest see you to sister, But I was persuaded By Another man go part with it grived mutch, you must not think that I did not care for you. I cannot tell how I come, for I was some times on the earth and some times under the earth Do not Bee afraid to come But start and keep trying, if you are afrid fitch your tow sister with you for compeny and I will take care of you and treat you like a lady so long as you live. The talk of cold in this place is all a humbug, it is wormer here than it was there when I left, your father and mother has allways treated me like their own child I have no fault to find in them. I send my Respects to them Both and I hope that they will remember me in Prayer, if you make a start come to Philidelpa tell father and mother that I am safe and hope that they will not morn after me I shall ever Remember them. No more at present But yours in Body and mind, and if we no meet on Earth I hope that we shall meet in heven. Your husbern. Good night. JAME MASEY.

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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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Traveler's Names Perry Henry Trusty

Age 32

Alias –

Origin- Town/City –

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John McGuire

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Traveler's Names Perry Henry Trusty

Age 32

Description round-made of dark complexion

Alias –

Origin- Town/City –

Origin- County Caroline Co.

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John McGuire

Chapter Title Eight Arrivals

Page Number 144

Other Travelers James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads and child, Mary Elizabeth Stevenson

Other Conductors –

Additional Names –

Method of Travel –

Additional Resources –

Items in Possession –

Full Narrative PERRY was about thirty-one years of age, round-made, of dark complexion, and looked quite gratified with his expedition, and the prospect of becoming a British subject instead of a Maryland slave. He was not free, however, from the sad thought of having left his wife and three children in the "prison house" nor of the fact that his own dear mother was brutally stabbed to the heart with a butcher knife by her young master, while he (Perry) was a babe ; nor of a more recent tragedy by which a fellow-ser- vant, only a short while before he fled, was also murdered by a stab in the groin from another young master."Powerful bad" treatment, and "no pay," was the only reward poor Perry had ever received for his life services. Perry could only remember his having received from his master, in all, eleven cents. Left a brother and sister in Slavery. Perry was worth $1200 perhaps.
PERRY was compelled to leave his wife and three children ? namely, Hannah (wife), Perry Henry, William Thomas and Alexander, who were
owned by John' McGuire, of Caroline county, Maryland. Perry was a fellow-servant of James Massey, and was held by the same owner who held James. It is but just, to say, that it was not in the Pittman family that his
mother and his fellow-servant had been so barbarously murdered. These occurrences took place before they came into the hands of Pittman.
The provocation for which his fellow-servant was killed, was said to be very trifling. In a moment of rage, his young master, John Piper, plunged the blade of a small knife into Perry's groin, which resulted in his death twenty-six hours afterwards. For one day only the young master kept himself concealed, then he came forward and said he "did it in self-defense,"and there the matter ended. The half will never be told of the barbarism of Slavery. PERRY'S letter subjoined, explains where he went, and how his mind was
occupied with thoughts of his wife, children and friends.
ST. CATHARINES, C. W. June 21, 1857.
DEAR SIR. ? I take this opportunity to inform you that I am well at present, and hope that these few lines may find you injoying the same Blessing, I have Been for some time now, But have not written to you Before, But you must Excuse me. I want you to give my Respects to all my inquiring friends and to my wife, I should have let you know But I was afraid and all three of my little children too, P. H. Trusty if he was mine Wm. T. Trusty and to Alexander I have been A man agge But was assurd nuthin, H. Trusty, a hard grand citt. I should lie know how times is, Henry Turner if you get this keep it,
and read it to yourself and not let any one else But yourself, tell ann Henry, Samuel Henry, Jacob Bryant, Wm Claton, Mr James at Almira Receved at Mr Jones house the Best I could I have Been healthy since I arrived here. My Best Respect to all and my thanks for past favours. No more at present But Remain youre obedented Servent &c.
HENRY TRUSTY.
Please send me an answer as son as you get this, an^ oblige yours,
MR TRUSTY.

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Traveler's Names George Rhoads

Age 25

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

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Traveler's Names George Rhoads

Age 25

Description Chestnut color, face round, and hating Slavery heartily

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- County Queen Anne's

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

Chapter Title Eight Arrivals

Page Number 145

Other Travelers James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads and child, Mary Elizabeth Stevenson

Other Conductors –

Additional Names –

Method of Travel –

Additional Resources –

Items in Possession –

Full Narrative GEORGE RHOADS 19 a young man of twenty five years of age, chestnut color, face round, and hating Slavery heartily. He had come from
under the control of John P. Dellum a farmer, and a crabbed master, who "would swear very much when crossed, and would drink moderately every day," except sometimes he would " take a spree" and would then get pretty high. Withal he was a member of the Presbyterian church at Perry- ville, Maryland ; he was a single man and followed farming. Within the last two or three years, he had sold a man and woman; hence, George thought it was time to take warning. Accordingly he felt it to be his duty to try for Canada, via Underground Rail Road. As his master had always declared that if one run off, he would sell the rest to Georgia, George very wisely concluded that as an effort would have to be made, they had better leave their master with as " few as possible to be troubled with selling."
Consequently, a consultation was had between the brothers, which resulted in the exit of a party of eight. The market price for George would be about $1400. A horrid example professed Christians set before the world, while holding slaves and upholding Slavery.

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Traveler's Names James Rhoads

Age 23

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

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Traveler's Names James Rhoads

Age 23

Description medium size, dark color, intelligent, and manly

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- County Queen Anne's

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

Chapter Title Eight Arrivals

Page Number 145

Other Travelers James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads and child, Mary Elizabeth Stevenson

Other Conductors –

Additional Names wife and child

Method of Travel –

Additional Resources –

Items in Possession –

Full Narrative JAMES RHOADS, brother of George, was twenty-three years of age,
medium size, dark color, intelligent and manly, and would doubtless have
brought, in the Richmond market, $1700. Fortunately he brought his wife
and child with him. James was also held by the same task-master who
held George. Often had he been visited with severe stripes, and had borne
his full share of suffering from his master.

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Traveler's Names George Washington

Age 15

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

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Traveler's Names George Washington

Age 15

Description Tall enough, however to pass for a young man of 20. George was of an excellent, fast, dark color

Alias –

Origin- Town/City Perryville

Origin- County Queen Anne's

Origin- State Maryland

Destination Canada

Birthplace –

Slaveowner's Name John P. Dellum

Chapter Title Eight Arrivals

Page Number 145

Other Travelers James Massey, Perry Henry Trusty, George Rhoads, James Rhoads, George Washington, Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads and child, Mary Elizabeth Stevenson

Other Conductors –

Additional Names –

Method of Travel –

Additional Resources –

Items in Possession –

Full Narrative GEORGE WASHINGTON, one of the same party, was only about fifteen years of age ; he was tall enough, however, to pass for a young man of twenty. George was of an excellent, fast, dark color. Of course, mentally he was undeveloped, nevertheless, possessed of enough mother-wit to make
good his escape. In the slave market he might have been valued at $800. George was claimed as the lawful property of Benjamin Sylves ? a Presbyterian, who owned besides, two men, three girls, and a boy. He was "toler- able good " sometimes, and sometimes "bad." Some of the slaves supposed
themselves to be on the eve of being emancipated about the time George left ; but of this there was no certainty. George, however, was not among this hopeful number, consequently, he thought that he would start in time, and would be ready to shout for Freedom quite as soon as any other of his
fellow-bondmen. George left a father and three sisters. Sarah Elizabeth Rhoads, wife of James Rhoads, was seventeen years of age, a tall, dark, 10 young woman, who had had no chances for mental improvement, except
such as were usual on a farm, stocked with slaves, where learning to read the Bible was against the "rules." Sarah was a young slave mother with a babe (of course a slave) only eight months old. She was regarded as having been exceedingly fortunate in having rescued herself and child from the
horrid fate of slaves.

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