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

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Samuel Miles: Along the Underground

By Ian Post June 15, 2022
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Record #692

County Somerset
Name Jones, Sarah Elizabeth
Deed Executed By
Document Date 1855 Dec 12

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County Somerset
Gender F
Name Jones, Sarah Elizabeth
Proof of Freedom BFW
Deed Information
Deed Executed By
Height 4' 11"
Complexion Dark Chestnut
Age 19
Document Date 1855 Dec 12
Citation CR 47,251-7
Page
PDF Page 43
Other Notes small scar a little below her right elbow and a small scar on her right wrist scarcely visible, her ears have been pierced
State Maryland

Record #20

County Somerset
Seller Miles, Henry
Buyer Ballard, Robert R
Slave Levin $100 45 yo, Baltimore $300 22 yo, Sam $200 16 yo
Year 1842

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County Somerset
Liber AH
Folio 189
Seller Miles, Henry
Buyer Ballard, Robert R
Slave Levin $100 45 yo, Baltimore $300 22 yo, Sam $200 16 yo
Additional Information (price, other items) $600 total
Year 1842
Date 4 Jun 1842
Sold out of state or to possible slave dealer No
State Maryland

Record #2504

County Somerset
Probate Date 9/15/1829
Name of Deceased William MIles
Heirs Henry Miles - 3rd son
Black Individuals Mentioned in Will to have Negro boy Baltimore and Negro boy Sam

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County Somerset
Folio Number JP4:157
Probate Date 9/15/1829
Name of Deceased William MIles
Heirs Henry Miles - 3rd son
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Record #2512

County Somerset
Probate Date 10/13/1829
Name of Deceased William Jones, Sr.
Heirs Eleanor Jones - wife
Black Individuals Mentioned in Will to have the following Negroes: Messa, Israel, --,my gardiner and his wife Teresa, Negro woman Ca…

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County Somerset
Folio Number JP4:159
Probate Date 10/13/1829
Name of Deceased William Jones, Sr.
Heirs Eleanor Jones - wife
Black Individuals Mentioned in Will to have the following Negroes: Messa, Israel, --,my gardiner and his wife Teresa, Negro woman Caty and her children Frederick, Spenser, Charles, Lydia and also Negro woman Betty and her children Edmond, Ellen, Margaret and Mary
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Record #56

Traveler's Names Samuel Miles
Age
Alias Robert King
Origin- Town/City Revel's Neck
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name

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Traveler's Names Samuel Miles
Age
Description
Alias Robert King
Origin- Town/City Revel's Neck
Origin- County Somerset
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name
Chapter Title Sundry Arrivals, About August 1st
Page Number 290
Other Travelers
Other Conductors
Additional Names
Method of Travel
Additional Resources
Items in Possession
Full Narrative ARRIVAL No. 6. Samuel Miles, alias Robert King. Samuel was a representative of Revel's Neck, Somerset Co., Md. His master he regarded as a " very fractious man, hard to please." The cause of the trouble or unpleasantness, which resulted in Samuel's Underground adventure, was traceable to his master's refusal to allow him to visit his wife. Not only was Samuel denied this privilege, but he was equally denied all privileges. His master probably thought that Sam had no mind, nor any need of a wife.
"Whether this was really so or not, Sam was shrewd enough to " leave his old master with the bag to hold," which was sensible. Thirty-one years of Samuel's life were passed in Slavery, ere he escaped. The remainder of his days he felt bound to have the benefit of himself. In leaving home he had to part with his wife and one child, Sarah and little Henry, who were fortunately free.
On arriving in Canada Samuel wrote back for his wife, &c., as follows :
ST. CATHARINES, C. W., Aug. 20th, 1855.
To MR. WM. STILL, DEAR FRIEND : ? It gives me pleasure to inform you that I have had the good fortune to reach this northern Canaan. I got here yesterday and am in good health and happy in the enjoyment of Freedom, but am very anxious to have my wife and child here with me.
I wish you to write to her immediately on receiving this and let her know where I am you will recollect her name Sarah Miles at Baltimore on the corner of Hamburg and
Eutaw streets. Please encourage her in making a start and give her the necessary directions how to come. She will please to make the time as short as possible in getting through to Canada. Say to my wife that I wish her to write immediately to the friends that I told her to address as soon as she hears from me. Inform her that I now stop in St. Catharines near the Niagara Falls that I am not yet in business but expect to get into business very soon ? That I am in the enjoyment of good health and hoping that this com-munication may find my affectionate wife the same. That I have been highly favored
with friends throughout my journey I wish my wife to write to me as soon as she can and let me know how soon I may expect to see her on this side of the Niagara River. My wife had better call on Dr. Perkins and perhaps he will let her have the money he had in charge for me but that I failed of receiving when I left Baltimore. Please direct the letter for my wife to Mr. George Lister, in Hill street between Howard and Sharp. My compliments to all enquiring friends. Very respectfully yours, SAMUEL MILES.
P. S. Please send the thread along as a token and my wife will understand that all is right. S. M.