Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #61 from Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad

Traveler's Names Benjamin Ross
Age 28
Description chestnut color, medium size and shrewd
Alias James Stewart
Origin- Town/City Bucktown
Origin- County Dorchester
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name Eliza Ann Brodins
Chapter Title Moses arrives with six passengers
Page Number 298
Other Travelers John Chase, alias Daniel Floyd; Benjamin Ross alias James Stewart; Henry Ross, alias Levin Stewart; Peter Jackson, Alias Staunch Tilghman; Jane Kane, alias Catherine Kane and Robert Ross
Other Conductors Harriett Tubman
Additional Names
Method of Travel
Additional Resources
Items in Possession
Full Narrative WILMINGTON, 12 mo. 29th, 1854. ESTEEMED FRIEND, J. MILLER McKiM : ? We made arrangements last night, and sent away Harriet Tubman, with six men and one woman to Allen Agnew's, to be forwarded across the country to the city. Harriet, and one of the men had worn their shoes off their feet, and I gave them two dollars to help fit them out, and directed a carriage to be hired at my expense, to take them out, but do not yet know the expense. I now have two more from the lowest county in Maryland, on the Peninsula, upwards of one hundred miles. I will try to get one of our trusty colored men to take them to-morrow morning to the Anti-slavery office. You can then pass them on. THOMAS GARRETT. BENJAMIN was twenty-eight years of age, chestnut color, medium size, and shrewd. He was the so-called property of Eliza Ann Brodins, who lived near Buckstown, in Maryland. Ben did not hesitate to say, in unqual- ified terms, that his mistress was "very devilish." He considered his charges, proved by the fact that three slaves (himself one of them) were required to work hard and fare meagerly, to support his mistress' family in idleness and luxury. The Committee paid due attention to his ex parte statement, and was obliged to conclude that his argument, clothed in common and homely language, was forcible, if not eloquent, and that he was well worthy of aid. Benjamin left his parents besides one sister, Mary Ann Williamson, who wanted to come away on the Underground Rail Road.

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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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