HISTORY OF ELISHA VALENTINE,
A FUGITIVE SLAVE FROM THE STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA
In the year 1838 a noble attempt at escape from slavery in North Carolina was made by a dark mulatto named Elisha Valentine.
Valentine's master was what is denominated a good master, though I doubt very much the goodness of persons who will hold a man in bondage, and force him to toil from morning until night without any compensation. But for the time being we will accept the term, and will ask you to notice well the causes of the attempt to escape.
The overseer employed by Valentine's master was a man who said he hated all mulattoes. To gratify this hate, he determined to give Valentine a flogging. Early one morning, as Valentine was going to the stable to feed the horses, the overseer, as a pretext, accused Valentine of being late; but to this accusation Valentine made no reply, but hurried to the field and commenced ploughing as usual. The overseer came near, and said, "All mulattoes are insolent." No reply was made to this, Valentine quietly following his plough in the furrow. The overseer then followed Valentine to the end of the next row; at this point the overseer again accosted him with the information that he must now stop, as he meant to give him a trouncing. The order to stop was not obeyed, and the overseer immediately seized Valentine by the hair of his head, and commenced pulling it out by handsful. This caused Valentine to strike the enraged overseer, who immediately called the rest of the field hands to come and help to tie Valentine. They came; but Valentine had fled to the forest for protection. He lived in the forest for several months, coming to the plantation whenever he could make it convenient so to do, without being noticed. Of course these visits were made only during the quiet hours of the night. This being autumn, Valentine began to think of the snows of the coming winter, when he would be compelled to be exposed to the cold. But he could not think of returning home to be punished for striking the overseer, and to receive a double portion for being an idler for four months. He had learned from fellow-slaves that on this latter account especially his master's wrath was up, and Valentine concluded to go northward in search of Canada. His greatest dread was the distance--eight hundred miles--and no knowledge of the geography of the country. He, however, started off, first securing a bridle from the stable, as a ready proof that he was hunting a horse, and as a quiet answer to impertinent inquirers. As he was to take the open road, he thought it quite likely that he would be arrested by some of the slave-catchers of that horrid land, and that it would be wise to prepare for the coming evil. As he proceeded, his courage became more strong, especially as he felt it more and more a risk to remain in the forest.
The first day he travelled thirty-five miles towards the north. He met several persons who asked him where he was going. But his reply was always ready,--that he was looking for a stray horse. With this pretence he reached the State of Virginia, having lived all the way upon roasted Indian corn and potatoes, which he found in the fields, and which he thought it his privilege to take. Just three months from the time of his flight from the plantation, he found himself in the mountains of Virginia, surrounded with snow and ice. The corn had now been gathered, and the potatoes all housed, and as he was now far away from his former home, he determined to try a new plan to sustain life and keep himself from freezing to death. He determined to offer himself as a free man to work for wages; he found a man ready to employ him--a man who really believed Valentine was free. He worked in this way until April, when with the wages, which were honourably paid him, he was able to make his way to Ohio, the nearest free State. Valentine, knowing that Ohio is a free State, felt a little safer, but not fully content; and fearing that he might by some mishap be again reduced to bondage, made his way across Ohio to Lake Eric, and across Lake Eric to Canada, the real "home of the free."
Valentine settled in Amherstburgh. Here, having made good his escape, and out of the reach of the overseer and the master who once claimed his body as his own--he began to understand that he had a right to lay plans for his own benefit, and without fear. He determined to follow the occupation of a cook. In this occupation he was employed for two or three years upon the Lake steamers and other craft, and at times in hotels. The great mercies of God he still remembered, and finally resolved to become a Christian man. Converted to Christ's holy religion, he united with the church in the town before mentioned, where I had the pleasure of becoming his pastor. At that time he was a deacon of the church. He is now married, his wife being also an escaped slave from the State of Kentucky. I may here say, to the credit of Mr. Valentine and his wife, that they would be an honour to any community. They are known as an industrious and highly respected family. I lived near them during my residence in that town, and I can say I have never seen a more lady-like personage than Mrs. Valentine; and her husaand is a perfect gentleman, and a most devoted Christian.
I have often heard it said upon the part of the enemies of our race, that they are disposed to be idle and worthless. I would like to point such to Mr. and Mrs. Valentine,--for they are the superiors of any who would even insinuate the charge of laziness or any natural inferiority. May the whole earth be blessed with such specimens of humanity and Christian virtue as are Mr. and Mrs. Valentine!
God speed the day when the throat of slavery may be cut, and I may hear the life-blood dropping from its palsied side,--for there are many more hearts beneath the dusky skin of the sable sons of Africa that would develop themselves in usefulness if they could only have the chance.
© Hair-breadth Escapes from Slavery to Freedom: Electronic Edition
This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.
Valentine's master was what is denominated a good master, though I doubt very much the goodness of persons who will hold a man in bondage, and force him to toil from morning until night without any compensation. But for the time being we will accept the term, and will ask you to notice well the causes of the attempt to escape.
The overseer employed by Valentine's master was a man who said he hated all mulattoes. To gratify this hate, he determined to give Valentine a flogging. Early one morning, as Valentine was going to the stable to feed the horses, the overseer, as a pretext, accused Valentine of being late; but to this accusation Valentine made no reply, but hurried to the field and commenced ploughing as usual. The overseer came near, and said, "All mulattoes are insolent." No reply was made to this, Valentine quietly following his plough in the furrow. The overseer then followed Valentine to the end of the next row; at this point the overseer again accosted him with the information that he must now stop, as he meant to give him a trouncing. The order to stop was not obeyed, and the overseer immediately seized Valentine by the hair of his head, and commenced pulling it out by handsful. This caused Valentine to strike the enraged overseer, who immediately called the rest of the field hands to come and help to tie Valentine. They came; but Valentine had fled to the forest for protection. He lived in the forest for several months, coming to the plantation whenever he could make it convenient so to do, without being noticed. Of course these visits were made only during the quiet hours of the night. This being autumn, Valentine began to think of the snows of the coming winter, when he would be compelled to be exposed to the cold. But he could not think of returning home to be punished for striking the overseer, and to receive a double portion for being an idler for four months. He had learned from fellow-slaves that on this latter account especially his master's wrath was up, and Valentine concluded to go northward in search of Canada. His greatest dread was the distance--eight hundred miles--and no knowledge of the geography of the country. He, however, started off, first securing a bridle from the stable, as a ready proof that he was hunting a horse, and as a quiet answer to impertinent inquirers. As he was to take the open road, he thought it quite likely that he would be arrested by some of the slave-catchers of that horrid land, and that it would be wise to prepare for the coming evil. As he proceeded, his courage became more strong, especially as he felt it more and more a risk to remain in the forest.
The first day he travelled thirty-five miles towards the north. He met several persons who asked him where he was going. But his reply was always ready,--that he was looking for a stray horse. With this pretence he reached the State of Virginia, having lived all the way upon roasted Indian corn and potatoes, which he found in the fields, and which he thought it his privilege to take. Just three months from the time of his flight from the plantation, he found himself in the mountains of Virginia, surrounded with snow and ice. The corn had now been gathered, and the potatoes all housed, and as he was now far away from his former home, he determined to try a new plan to sustain life and keep himself from freezing to death. He determined to offer himself as a free man to work for wages; he found a man ready to employ him--a man who really believed Valentine was free. He worked in this way until April, when with the wages, which were honourably paid him, he was able to make his way to Ohio, the nearest free State. Valentine, knowing that Ohio is a free State, felt a little safer, but not fully content; and fearing that he might by some mishap be again reduced to bondage, made his way across Ohio to Lake Eric, and across Lake Eric to Canada, the real "home of the free."
Valentine settled in Amherstburgh. Here, having made good his escape, and out of the reach of the overseer and the master who once claimed his body as his own--he began to understand that he had a right to lay plans for his own benefit, and without fear. He determined to follow the occupation of a cook. In this occupation he was employed for two or three years upon the Lake steamers and other craft, and at times in hotels. The great mercies of God he still remembered, and finally resolved to become a Christian man. Converted to Christ's holy religion, he united with the church in the town before mentioned, where I had the pleasure of becoming his pastor. At that time he was a deacon of the church. He is now married, his wife being also an escaped slave from the State of Kentucky. I may here say, to the credit of Mr. Valentine and his wife, that they would be an honour to any community. They are known as an industrious and highly respected family. I lived near them during my residence in that town, and I can say I have never seen a more lady-like personage than Mrs. Valentine; and her husaand is a perfect gentleman, and a most devoted Christian.
I have often heard it said upon the part of the enemies of our race, that they are disposed to be idle and worthless. I would like to point such to Mr. and Mrs. Valentine,--for they are the superiors of any who would even insinuate the charge of laziness or any natural inferiority. May the whole earth be blessed with such specimens of humanity and Christian virtue as are Mr. and Mrs. Valentine!
God speed the day when the throat of slavery may be cut, and I may hear the life-blood dropping from its palsied side,--for there are many more hearts beneath the dusky skin of the sable sons of Africa that would develop themselves in usefulness if they could only have the chance.
© Hair-breadth Escapes from Slavery to Freedom: Electronic Edition
This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.