Reminiscences of Levi Coffin, the reputed president of the Underground railroad; being a brief history of the labors of a lifetime in behalf of the slave, with the stories of numerous fugitives, who gained their freedom through his instrumentality ...

Front matter

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Preface

I HAVE been solicited for many years to write a history of my anti-slavery labors and underground railroad experiences, and although I had kept a diary the most of my life, it was without any prospect of ever putting it into book-form. I had no desire to appear before the public as an author, having no claim to literary merit. What I had done I believed was simply a Christian duty and not for the purpose of being seen of men, or for notoriety, which I have never sought. But I was continually urged by my friends to engage in the work, believing that it would be interesting to the rising generation; but being so fully occupied with other duties, I seemed to find no time that I could devote to this work, so that it was put off from year to year. I also often received letters from different parts of the country, desiring me to write the history of my life and labors in the anti-slavery cause, reminding me that the most of my co-laborers had passed away, and that I must soon follow, and that these stirring anti-slavery times in which I lived and labored were a part of the history of our country, which should not be lost. But still I deferred it until now, in the seventy-eighth year of my^age. And although I feel the infirmities of that period of life fast gathering around me, I have gathered up my diaries, and other documents that had been preserved, and have written a book. In my own plain, simple

U PREFACE.

style, I have endeavored to tell the stories without any exaggeration. Errors no doubt will appear, which I trust the indulgent reader will pardon, in consideration of my advanced age and feebleness. It is here proper also to acknowledge the valuable services of a kind friend, for aid received in preparing these pages for the press. I regret that I have been obliged to leave out many interesting stories and thrilling incidents, on account of swelling the size and cost of the book beyond what was agreed upon with the publishers. Among the stories omitted is the account of the long imprisonment and sufferings of Calvin Fairbank, of Massachusetts, in the Kentucky penitentiary, for aiding fugitives, and of Richard Dillingham, of Ohio, who suifered and died in the penitentiary at Nashville, Tennessee, for a similar offense.

Some time ago I requested my dear old friend and co-laborer in the cause of the slave, Dr. Wm. Henry Brisbane, to write a few introductory words for my book, which I here introduce as part of the preface :

My very dear old friend has requested me to write some introductory words, or preface, for his book; and I can not do justice to my own most affectionate feelings toward him and his amiable wife, dear "Aunt Katy," without complying with his request and accepting the honor thus conferred upon me.

I have in my possession a picture, executed by Mr. Ball, a colored man from Virginia. The central figure is a native of South Carolina, a representative of the old planter class of that State, who manumitted his slaves many years before the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln. On each hand sits with him a friend and Christian brother — the one, a sedate, benevolent-looking Quaker, a native of North Carolina, and a faithful representative of that class known as Orthodox Friends; the other, with a countenance full of humor and amiable mischief, a native of Rhode Island, and a true representative of the old Roger Williams class of Soul-Liberty Baptists. The cause of the slave brought into a most intimate and happy friendship these three men of diverse origin, training, habits of life, temperament, disposition and other personal characteristics. For many years they labored and suftered

I'REl ACE. Ill

together for those in bonds as bound wilh tbem. In Christian love they bowed themselves before their Heavenly Father and prayed together for the oppressed race; with a faiih that knew no wavering they worked in fraternal union for the enfranchisement of their despised colored bi'ethren, and shared together the odium attached to the name of abolitionist, and finally they rejoiced together and gave thanks to God for the glorious results of those years of persevering effort. The youngest of these has gone to his reward in heaven, and those who knew Edward Harwood can not wonder that the other two loved him with a love that was more than a brother's. The oldest — the placid, the benevolent, the kind-hearted and devoted friend of the slave, and of all mankind — Levi Coffin, still lives to give, for the benefit of humanity, the reminiscences of his experiences, so full of interesting incidents and touching pathos. The other survivor thanks God with all his heart that his dear brother has been spared to leave this valuable record as a legacy to his thousands of friends, white and black, in this our I . oved country, redeemed from the curse of slavery with the atoning blood of many a battle-field.

And now, with no more fugitives to hide, and no clanking chains to disturb our peaceful old age, I subscribe myself, P'raternally and lovingly his,

\VM. HENRY BRISBANE.

Cincinnati, Ohio, June 17, 1876.

Trusting that this volume will accomplish something toward the

eradication of the spirit of caste, which still exists in our land —

though, in the providence of God, slavery itself has been removed —

and in the acceptance and practice of that command, which reads:

"Love thy neighbor as thyself," I now commend it to the reader.

LEVI COFFIN.

Cincinnati, Eighth Month, 1876.

Contents

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

Genealogy 3""^^

CHAPTER I. . • Conversion to Abolitionism — Incidents of the Cruelties of

Slavery — First Efforts on Behalf of the Slaves — Stephen,

the Kidnapped Negro— The Captured Slave — Services

of Vestal Coffin— The Story of Ede— The White Slave... .12-31

Chapter II

The Story of Jack Barnes — My Journey with a Slave-owner — A Mission F'uU of Anxiety — The Story of Sam — I Turn Slave-hunter — Narrow Escape from Arrest— "Penalty of Aiding a Slave — Fate of Poor Sam 32-68

Chapter III

Teaching Slaves to Read— Sabbath-School Work — Agitation of the Anti-Slavery Cause— Manumission Societies—Trip to Indiana — Incidents on the Way — The Early Settlements of Indiana — I Engage in School Labors — Organization of the first Sabbath-School in Western Indiana — A Visit to Illinois — Lost on the Prairie — Springfield, Illinois, Fifty Years Ago — Conclusion of School Labors in Indiana — Return to North Carolina — Short Trip to Virginia 69-102

Chapter IV

Marriage — Removal to Indiana — I Locate at Newport and Engage in Mercantile Business — Underground Railroad Work — Difficulties and Dangers of the Work — Trip to North Carolina — Heart-rending Scene at a Slave Auction — Temperance Work at Newport 103-138

CONTENTS.

Chapter V

Newport Stories — The Cunning Slave — Robert Barrel— Eliza Harris -Sam, the Eloquent Slave — Prejudice Against Color — Aunt Rachel — A Slave-hunter Outwitted — Seventeen Fugitives 139-177

Chapter VI

Newport Stories Continued— Seventeen Fugitives— Two Slave Girls from Maryland — Anecdote of a Visit to Cincinnati —Story of Louis Talbert - John White 178-222

CHAPTER VH.

Discussion of the Anti-Slavery Subject— Anti-Slavery Societies and Lecturers— Opposition to the Movement — Separation of Friends of Indiana Yearly Meeting — Action which Caused the Separation—Reunion — The Committee from London Yearly Meeting — Interviews with the Committee — Last Interview with William Forster— Visit to Canada in 1844 — Meetings with Fugitives — Their Stories — A Special Providence — Aunt Susie's Dream — The Story of Jackson — A Mother Rescues her Children 223-264

Chapter VIII

Free Labor— Testimony of John Woolman and Others — My Convictions — Free-Labor Societies of New York and Philadelphia — Our Organization in the West — Removal to Cincinnati — Free-Labor Business — Southern Cotton Produced by Free Labor — Incidents of a Southern Trip — Interviews with Slaveholders 265-296

Chapter IX

Underground Railroad Work in Cincinnati — A Reminiscence — The Fugitive Cook Girl — A Company of Twenty-eight / Fugitives — Aunt Betsey — Jack and Lucy — Assessments on Underground Railroad Stock — A Pro-Slavery Ma^ Silenced — The Story of Jane •••297-334

. CONTENTS. vii

Chapter X

Cincinnati Stories Continued — The Rag Baby — The Vice- President's Slave — The Disguised Slave — Wolves in Sheep's Clothing — Sally, the Slave Mother — Louis and Ellen — The Michigan Raid 33S-373

Chapter XI

Cincinnati Stories Continued — John Wilson and Eliza — Uncle Tom— Rose, the White Slave — Story of Jim and his Friend in a Tight Box 374-418

CHAPTER Xn.

Louisa Picquet, the Octoroon — John Fairfield, the Southern Abolitionist — John .and MaryiM»-^ Narrow Escapes of Fugitives '.•.. 419-461

CHA^tER Xin.

A Pro-Slavery Man I'urns Abolitionist— Fourteen Fugitives Cross on the Ice— Slave Children Placed in our Charge — The Case of William Thompson 462-489

CHAPTER XIV.

Major Phillips — A Slaveholder's Colored Family — My Trip with the Major down the River— Incidents of the Journey — Discussions with Slaveholders— Insights into Southern Social Life — A Whipping on Board a Boat 490-523

CHAPTER XV.

The Mob Spirit in Cincinnati — Destruction of the Philanthropist Press in 1836 — Demonstration of Pro-Slavery Feeling in 1841— A Disgraceful Riot-TheScanlan Mob.524-54i

CHAPTER XVI.

Trials Under the Fugitive Slave Law — The Wash. McQuen-y Case — The Services of John Jolliffe — Escape from a Court Room — The Rosetta Case — Margaret Garner — The Story of a Hat 542-574

VUl CONTENTS. .

CHAPTER XVIL

An U. G. R. R. Depot — The Purchase of Slaves by theii' Relatives— Other Services for the Colored People — The Case of Connelly — Sambo in a Tight Box 575~593

CHAPTER XVHI.

Last Work on the U. G. R. R. — The Prince of Wales —Beginning of the War — Kirby Smith's Thi-eatened Raid — Rescue of a wSlave Girl by Two Union Soldiers — The Kentucky Policy and Col. Utley's Action 594-618

CHAPTER XIX.

Work Among the Freedmen -Visit to Cairo— Destitution and Suffering of the Colored People— Efforts in Their Behalf — Organization of Relief Societies 619-650

CHAPTER XX.

Mission to England —Labors in Behalf of the Freedmen — "Incidents of the Work- Contributions from all Classes of Society — Public Meetings 651-712

Appendix

1. Memoir of Richard Dillingham.. 713-718

2. Memoir of Calvin Fairbank 719-726

3. Death and Funeral of the Author 726-732

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.

GENEALOGY.

THE following brief sketch of the Coffin family is gathered from the first number of the Am.erican Historical Record, published at Philadelphia, and from private records copied from those kept at Nantucket. The earliest account of the name we have dates back to 1066. In that year Sir Richard Coffin, knight, accompanied William the Conqueror from Normandy to England, and the manor of Alwington, in the county of Devonshire, was assigned to him. The authorities respecting the county- of Devonshire make honorable mention of Sir Elias Coffin, knight of Clist and Ingarby, in the days of King John ; of Sir Richard Coffin, of Alwington, in the "time of Henry II. ; of Sir Jeffiey Coffin and Combe Coffin, under Henry III. , and of other knights, descendants of these, until the time of Henry VIII., when we find Sir William Coffin, sheriff of Devonshire, highly preferred at Court, and one of eighteen assistants chosen by the king to accompany him to a tournament in France, in 1519- He was also high steward of the manor and liberties of Standon, m Hertford. By his will he bequeathed his horses and hawks to the king, and devised the manor of East Higgington, Devonshire, to his nephew. Sir Richard Coffin, of Portledge. His monument in

. GEXEylLOGV.

Standon Church is mentioned in Weever's "Funeral Monuments," at page 534.

Nicholas Coffin, of Butler's parish, in Devonshire, died in 1603. His will, which w^as proved at Totness, in Devonshire, November 3, 1603, mentions his wife and five children, viz: Peter, Nicholas, Tristram, John and Anne. Peter married Joanna Thimber, and died in 1627, leaving four daughters and two sons. One of these sons w^as the famous Tristram Coffin — or Coffyn, as he spelled it — the ancestor of the numerous families of that name in this country. Nearly all his descendants are enabled, by means of the accurate genealogical records in existence, to trace their lineage back to him, although nearly two centuries have elapsed since his death. Pie was born at Brixton, near Plymouth, in the county of Devonshire, England, in the year 1605. ^^^ married Dionis Stevens, and in 1642 came to New England, bringing with him his wife and five children, his mother and his two sisters. He first settled at Salisbury, Massachusetts, where he lived a number of years, and in 1660 removed, with his family, and settled upon the island of Nantucket. He was one of a company of nine w^io first purchased Nantucket from the Indians, which fact appears in a conveyance from the Sachems, Wanackmamack, and Nickanoose. Prior to this purchase from the natives, the English title to the greater portion of the island had been obtained from Thomas Mayhew, who held the same under a conveyance from Lord Stirling. Tristram Coffin and his sons at one time ow^ned about one-fourth of Nantucket, and the whole of the little island

GENEALOGY. t

adjacent to it on the west, called Tuckernuck, containing one thousand acres, which was purchased of the old sachem, Potconet. He appears to have been a leading spirit among the first settlers, and was frequently selected by the inhabitants to transact important public business.

The children of Tristram Coffin w^ere Peter, Tristram, Elizabeth, James, John and Stephen. We trace our line of the family from John. He married Deborah Austin ; their son Samuel married Miriam Gardner; their son William married Priscilla Paddock; their son Levi married Prudence Williams. These last were my parents, and this places me in the fifth generation from the first Tristram Coffin, of Nantucket. The different branches of Tristram Coffin's family have increased and scattered, until there are representatives in nearly every part of the United States.

The island of Nantucket being small, and its soil not very productive, a large number of people could not be supported thereon, and as the population increased, a number of the men engaged in the w^hale fishery and other maritime pursuits, in order to gain a livelihood. Others turned their attention to other parts of the country, and Avere induced to remove and settle elsewhere, with a view to better their condition, as to providing for their children, etc. Awhile before the Revolutionary War a considerable colony of Friends removed and settled at New Garden, in Guilford County, North Carolina, which vvas then a newly settled country. My grandfather, William Coffin, was among those who thus emigrated. His re-

5 GENEALOGY.

moval took place in the year 1 773. My grandparents. William and Priscilla Coffin, had ten children — eight sons and two daughters — all of whom lived to have families of their own. They settled at New Garden, North Carolina, and were all members of the religious Society of Friends. My father, Levi Coffin, was the youngest of eight sons and next to the youngest child. He was born on the island of Nantucket, lOth month, lOth, 1763, and was about ten years old when the family moved to North Carolina. My grandfather Coffin lived to be eighty-three, and my grandmother eighty-one years old. Both died in the year 1803, at the place where they first settled in North Carolina. I remember them well, though I was young at the time of their death. Both were valuable elders in the religious Society of Friends, and were highly esteemed in the community. Their house had long been a resort and a place of entertainment for Friends w^io came into the neighborhood to attend religious meetings, and for traveling ministers. They lived on a farm, a short distance from New Garden Meeting-House. My father was brought up as a farmer, but managed to get a fair education, considering the limited advantages at that day, and, when a young man, engaged during the winter season in teaching school in the neighborhood. After the marriage of my parents, they settled on a farm in the neighborhood of New Garden, and 1 was brought up as a farmer, until I reached my twentyfirst year. My parents had seven children. I was the only son and next to the youngest child. I could not well be spared from the farm to attend school.

GENEALOGY. 7

and the most of my education I obtained at home. My father took pains to instruct me and my sisters during his hours of leisure from out-door work, so that I kept about even with my associates in the neighborhood who had better opportunities for gaining an education, and during the short intervals that I attended school, I was classed with them, and often stood at the head of my class. But our schools then were very inferior, compared Avith those at the present. I thirsted for a better education, and as soon as I was of age I sought a better school than we had in our neighborhood.

I remained there one session, then engaged as assistant teacher during the winter session, and the following winter attended another good school. I then taught, at intervals, for several years. In the year 18 16 my sister Sarah died. She was in her twentieth year and two years my senior. This was a heavy stroke upon me. She was a kind and affectionate sister, and we had been inseparable companions in our childhood. Although she died rejoicing in her dear Redeemer, with a bright and glorious prospect before her, I could not for a long time be resigned sufficiently to say concerning her loss, * 'Thy will, O Lord, not mine, be done." My older sisters were married, and I and my youngest sister Priscilla were all that were left at home with our parents. Priscilla was three years my junior. She was a sweet and attractive child, and we were warmly attached to each other. When she was about twelve years old she was converted, and at the age of fifteen she appeared in public testimony. She appeared to have

8 GENEALOGY.

a remarkable gift in the ministry, and her words impressed all who heard her and touched the hearts of many. Her mission and labors for several years seemed to be mostly confined to family circles and to social gatherings of young people. On such occasions she was frequently prompted to speak in a most remarkable manner, and her words seemed to have great effect on her young associates and others who heard her. For some years after her first appearance in the ministry, she spoke but seldom in public assemblies, but when she did, it was to the edification of her hearers. A few years afterward she was recorded as a minister of the religious Society of Friends.

In the spring of 1825 my parents and sister moved to the State of Indiana, where my married sisters had ail located. I was then engaged in teaching, but expected soon to follow with my own little family, which I did the next year. My sister Priscilla married a short time before I removed to Indiana. My parents were now left alone, and being old and feeble, I took charge of them and located them near me, in the village of Newport. My father died in 1833, in his seventieth year. We then took my mother into our house and cared for her until the close of her Hfe. She died in 1845, in her eighty-eighth year.

My mother's family, the Williamses, were of Welsh extraction. I have understooi that my great-grandfather, George William.s, came from Wales to America, and settled in Prince George County, Maryland. My grandfather, Richard Williams, married Prudence Bales, and their oldest two children were born

GENEALOGY. r^

y

in Maryland. Afterward they emigrated to North CaroHna and settled in Guilford County, about the year 1752. They located near the place where the old New Garden Meeting-House now stands, and where the yearly meeting of the religious Society of Friends has been held for many years. At the time of their removal to that neighborhood, it was thinly settled, but it grew in time to be a large and prosperous settlement, the members of which were mostly Friends. My grandparents had many hardships to encounter and privations to undergo, such as the first settlers of a new country always have to experience. When the stock of provisions which they had brought with them gave out, they had to go to an older settlement, about fifty miles distant, to get a new supply. The first winter they cleared a small piece of land, and in the spring planted corn and garden seed. Provisions again became scant, and they had to live on roasting-ears and vegetables till the corn ripened, being entirely deprived of bread. As soon as the corn was ripe enough to shell, they dried it by spreading it on the grounjd in the sun, and then took it on horseback to a mill about thirty miles distant, on Cane Creek, now in Chatham County. My grandfather Williams donated the ground on which New Garden Meeting- House was built, besides several acres of land, covered with timber sufficient for all building purposes. The battle of Guilford Court-House, fought about the close of the Revolutionary War, commenced near New Garden Meeting-House and continued along the old Salisbury road, a distance of about lO GENEALOaV

three miles, to Martinsville, the old Guilford Court- Hoiise, near where the main battle was fought. A number of soldiers were killed near the meeting-house and along the road, and were buried by the roadside and in the Friends' burying ground near the meeting-house. I have often seen their graves. After the battle the meeting-house was used as a hospital for the wounded soldiers, and my grandfather Williams' house was occupied by the wounded British officers. My grandfather Coffin's house was used by the American ofiicers as a hospital for their sick and wounded. The two farms joined, and the headquarters of the different forces were thus in close proximity.

The small-pox broke out among the British officers, and my grandfather Williams caught the disease from them and died. My grandmother was left with twelve children, five sons and seven daughters. She was sister to Thomas Bales, who is said to have been the first white emigrant that settled in Ohio. At his death he was buried in a coffin dug out of a log, there being no dressed timber available and no saw-mill within hundreds of miles. His descendants are quite numerous in the Western States. My grandmother remained a widow for the rest of her life. She lived to a good old age, and died respected by all who knew her. She was an elder in the religious Society of Friends for many years, and was highly esteemed as a '* Mother in Israel." The date of her death and her age are not in my possession, but I can remember her well. Most of her children lived

GENEALOGY. jj

to a good old age, and, with the exception of one son, all had large families, so that my connections, on my mother's side, as well as on my father's, are quite numerous.

Both my parents and grandparents were opposed to slavery, and none of either of the families ever owned slaves ; and all were friends of the oppressed^ so I claim that I inherited my anti-slavery principles.

Chapter I. Conversion To Abolitionism Incidents Of The

CRUELTIES OF SLAVERY FIRST EFFORTS ON BE- HALF OF THE SLAVES STEPHEN, THE KIDNAPPED

NEGRO THE CAPTURED SLAVE SERVICES OF VES- TAL COFFIN---THE STORY OF EDE THE WHITE

SLAVE.

I DATE my conversion to Abolitionism from an incident which occurred when I was about seven years old. It made a deep and lasting impression on my mind, and created that horror of the cruelties of slavery which has been the motive of so many actions of my life. At the time of which I speak, Virginia and Maryland were the principal slave-rearing States, and to a great extent supplied the Southern market. Free negroes in Pennsylvania vv'ere frequently kidnapped or decoyed into these States, then hurried away to Georgia, Alabama, or Louisiana, and sold. The gangs were handcuffed and chained together, and driven by a man on horseback, who flourished a long whip, such as is used in driving cattle, and goaded the reluctant and weary when their feet lagged on the long journey. One day I was by the roadside where my father was chopping wood, when I saw such a gang approaching along the new Salisbury road. The coffle of

FIRST EFFO R TS. j ^

slaves came first, chained in couples on each side of a long chain which extended between them ; the driver was some distance behind, with the wagon of supplies. My father addressed the slaves pleasantly, and then asked : ' * Well, boys, why do they chain you?" One of the men, whose countenance betrayed unusual intelligence and whose expression denoted the deepest sadness, replied: **They have taken us away from our wives and children, and they chain us lest we should make our escape and go back to them." My childish sympathy and interest were aroused, and when the dejected procession had passed on, I turned to my father and asked many questions concerning them, why they were taken away from their families, etc. In simple words, suited to my comprehension, my father explained to me the meaning of slavery, and, as I listened, the thought arose in my mind — "How terribly we should feel if father were taken away from us."

This was the first awakening of that sympathy with the oppressed, which, together with a strong hatred of oppression and injustice in every form, were the motives that influenced my whole after-life. Another incident of my boyhood is indelibly engraved on my mind. I accompanied my father one spring to the famous shad fishery at the narrows of the Yadkin River, a spot of wild and romantic scenery, where the stream breaks through a spur of the mountains and goes foaming and dashing down its rocky bed in a succession of rapids. Every spring, when the shad ascended the river, many people resorted to the place to obtain fish. They brought with them a variety of merchandise, saddlery, crockery-ware, etc., and remained in camp some time, buying and selHng. The fishery was owned by two brothers named Crump. They were slaveholders, and sometimes allowed their slaves the privilege of fishing after night and disposing of the fish thus obtained, on their own account. A slave, who had availed himself of this privilege, disposed of the fish he caught to my father. Next morning he came to the place where we were preparing breakfast, and entered into conversation with my father, speaking of the fish he had sold him, and asking if he would take more on the same terms. Noticing this, and thinking it a piece of presuming familiarity and impertinence, on the part of the negro, a young man, nephew of the Crumps, seized a fagot from the fire and struck the negro a furious blow across the head, baring the skull, covering his back and breast with blood, and his head with fire ; swearing at the same time that he would allow no such impudence from niggers, lyiy father protested against the act, and I was so deeply moved that I left my breakfast untasted, and going off by myself gave vent to my feelings in sobs and tears.

A few such instances of ''man's inhumanity to man" intensified my hatred of slavery, and inspired me to devote myself to the cause of the helpless and oppressed, and enter upon that line of humane effort, which I pursued for more than fifty years. I would still be engaged in it had not Abraham Lincoln broken up the business by proclaitiation in 1863

FIRST EFFORTS.

STEPHEN, THE KIDNAPPED NEGRO.

The first opportunity for aiding a slave occurred when I was about fifteen years old. It was a custom in North Carolina, at that time, to make a "frolic" of any special work, like corn husking, log-rolling, etc. The neighbors would assemble at the place appointed, and with willing hearts and busy hands soon complete the work. Then followed the supper and the merry-making, and the night was in

before the lights were out and the company gone.

At a gathering of this kind, a corn husking at Dr. Caldwell's, I was present. The neighbors assembled about dark, bringing their slaves with them. The negroes were assigned a place at one end of the heap, the white people took their place at the other, and all went to work, enlivening their labor with songs and merry talk.

A slave-dealer, named Stephen Holland, had arrived in the neighborhood a short time before, with a cofifle of slaves, on his way to the South, and as this was his place of residence, he stopped for a few days before proceeding on his journey. He brought with him his band of slaves to help his neighbor husk corn, and I was much interested in them. When the white people went in to supper I remained behind to talk with the strange negroes, and see if I could render them any service. In conversation I learned that one of the negroes, named Stephen, was free born, but had been kidnapped and sold into slav^ery. Till he became of age he had been indentured to Edward Lloyd, a Friend, living near Philadelphia. When his apprenticeship was ended, he had been hired by a man to help drive a flock of sheep to Baltimore. After reaching that place he had been seized one night as he was asleep in the negro house of a tavern, gagged and bound, then placed in a close carriage, and driven rapidly across the line into Virginia, where he was confined the next night in a cellar. He had then been sold for a small sum to Holland, who was taking him to the Southern market, where he expected to realize a large sum from his sale. I became deeply interested in his story, and began to think how I could help him to regain his freedom. Remembering Dr. Caldwell's Tom, a trusty negro, whom I knew well, I imparted to him my wishes, and desired him, if it could be arranged, to bring Stephen to my father's the next night. They came about midnight, and my father wrote down the particulars of Stephen's case, and took the address of the Lloyds. The next day he wrote to them, giving an account of Stephen and his whereabouts. In two weeks from that time, Hugh Lloyd, a brother of Edward Lloyd, arrived by stage in Greensboro. Procuring conveyance, he came to my father's, and there learned that Stephen had been taken southward hy the slave-dealer Holland. Next day being regular meeting-day at the Friends Meeting-House, at New Garden, the case was laid before the men after meeting, and two of them, Dr. George Swain