| Traveler's Names | William Thomas Freeman |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 |
| Description | Chestnut color, clever-looking, smart and full grown |
| Alias | Ezekiel Jervis |
| Origin- Town/City | Chestertown |
| Origin- County | Kent |
| Origin- State | Maryland |
| Destination | Canada |
| Birthplace | – |
| Slaveowner's Name | John Dwa |
| Chapter Title | Part of the arrivals in December , 1855 |
| Page Number | 340 |
| Other Travelers | Thomas Jervis Gooseberry and William Thomas Freeman, Ezekiel Chambers, Henry Hooper, Jacob Hall and wife Henrietta and child, two men from near Chestertown, Md, Fenton Jones, Mary Curtis, William Brown, Charles Henry Brown, Oliver Purnell , Isaac Fidget |
| Other Conductors | – |
| Additional Names | – |
| Method of Travel | Carriages |
| Additional Resources | letter |
| Items in Possession | – |
| Full Narrative | SCHUYLKILL, llth Mo., 29th, 1855. WILLIAM STILL : DEAR FRIEND : ? Those boys will be along by the last Norristown train to-morrow evening. I think the train leaves Norristown at 6 o'clock, but of this inform thyself. The boys will be sent to a friend at Norristown, with instructions to assist them in getting seats in the last train that leaves Norristown to-morrow evening. They are two of the eleven who left some time since, and took with them some of their master's horses ; I have told them to remain in the cars at Green street until somebody meets them. E. F. PENNYPACKER. Having arrived safely, by the way and manner indicated in E. F. Pennypacker's note, as they were found to be only sixteen and seventeen years of age, considerable interest was felt by the Acting Committee to hear their story. They were closely questioned in the usual manner. They proved to be quite intelligent, considering how young they were, and how the harrow of Slavery had been upon them from infancy. They escaped from Chestertown, Md., in company with nine others (they being a portion of the eleven who arrived in Wilmington, with two carriages, etc., noticed on page 302), but, for prudential reasons they were separated while traveling. Some were sent on, but the boys had to be retained with friends in the country. Many such separations were inevit- able. In this respect a great deal of care and trouble had to be endured for the sake of the cause. EZEKIEL, the younger boy, was of a chestnut color, clever-looking, smart, and well-grown, just such an one as a father enjoying the blessings of educa- tion and citizenship, might have felt a considerable degree of pride in. He was owned by a man called John Dwa, who followed "farming and drinking," and when under the influence of liquor, was disposed to ill-treat the slaves. Ezekiel had not seen his mother for many years, although she was living in Baltimore, and was known by the name of u Dorcas Denby." He left no brothers nor sisters. The idea of boys, so young and inexperienced as they were, being thrown on the world, gave occasion for serious reflection. Still the Committee were rejoiced that they were thus early in life, getting away from the "Sum of all villanies." In talking with them, the Committee endeavored to impress them with right ideas as to how they should walk in life, aided them, of course, and sent them off with a double share of advice. What has been their destiny since, is not known. EZEKIEL, the younger boy, was of a chestnut color, clever-looking, smart, and well-grown, just such an one as a father enjoying the blessings of educa- tion and citizenship, might have felt a considerable degree of pride in. He was owned by a man called John Dwa, who followed "farming and drink- ing," and when under the influence of liquor, was disposed to ill-treat the slaves. Ezekiel had not seen his mother for many years, although she was living in Baltimore, and was known by the name of u Dorcas Denby." He left no brothers nor sisters. The idea of boys, so young and inexperienced as they were, being thrown on the world, gave occasion for serious reflection. Still the Committee were rejoiced that they were thus early in life, getting away from the "Sum of all villanies." In talking with them, the Committee endeavored to impress them with right ideas as to how they should walk in life, aided them, of course, and sent them off with a double share of advice. What has been their destiny since, is not known. |
If you are citing this record, please use the following format:
[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.
Pinned records can be viewed at any time by clicking the More menu in the top right corner of the page, then selecting My Pinned Records.