HISTORY OF JAMES SMITH,
A FUGITIVE SLAVE FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
James Smith, an escaped slave from Western Virginia, is a man who would be taken for a thorough Anglo-Saxon. Yet, as it was known by those who held him in bondage that he had a little of the African blood flowing in his veins, by the law regulating the system of slavery, he was a slave, to all intents and purposes. Smith, however, felt that he was a man, created by the one and the same God in common with other men; and that there was no good reason for submitting to cruelties which were imposed upon him simply because he was a slave. He left his master's plantation, and travelled to Pittsburgh, in the State of Pennsylvania, as a white man; no one molesting him at any point of the journey, because no one would have thought of charging him with being a slave. He contented himself in this growing city for a few years, and, in attendance upon the preaching in the Methodist Church, became acquainted with a young lady of colour, who before long became his wife. This young lady knew nothing of his former condition as a slave; of course her surprise can well be imagined when, after the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law, in 1850, slave-catchers filled the city and among them some claiming him. They had the power under this inhuman law to seize any slave in any portion of the territory or State where such slave might be found. Pittsburgh was a place noted for anti-slavery feeling, and as a sort of asylum for hundreds of those who had escaped from various parts of the Southern States. When Smith found that his master was on the look out for him, he informed his devoted wife of his distress. Of course, this caused much pain and anxiety of mind, as Pittsburgh was no longer a place of safety for him, or any other person in similar circumstances. Canada was now the only place in the broad country where he could rest in any degree of safety, and he and his wife started for this much desired land of freedom. In thirty hours from the time they left Pittsburgh they landed safe at Fort Malden, at the mouth of the Detroit river. For the first time in all his life Smith put his foot upon free soil, and was hailed with a hearty welcome by some of those brethren who had taken shelter there for many years under the "Union Jack."
At this time, Smith and his wife were in very humble circumstances, and depended upon their daily labour for their bread. Smith soon found work in Sloan's stone-quarry, near his home. For some months he averaged from three to four shillings per day. His wife remained at home, doing what she could with her needle to earn an honest living. In a short time they had acquired several pounds, which they thought they could expend to advantage in purchasing a few groceries. They began a small shop with Indian corn, meal, flour, coffee, tea, sugar, &c. They were very obliging to the few customers they had gained. The wife had almost the entire management of this shop, while the husband continued to work at the stone-quarry, until, by a decided increase of the business at the shop, it demanded his attention also. Smith now owns one of the best grocery shops in the town of Amherstburgh. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the same town. They are highly respected, as they deserve to be. They can now worship God, night or day, without the fear of the slaveholder intruding upon the rights they have found so sacredly protected by British law.
The fugitives in Amherstburgh have a society for the relief of those who are continually coming in from slavery. This society is called "The True Band Society." Smith is one of the board of directors of this institution, and does his part manfully.
I am glad to say, from personal knowledge, that this society has been the means of relieving many very destitute cases. I may mention one case in particular. A man by the name of Blackburn, an escaped slave from the State of Tennessee, was six months in making his way to Canada. Being winter, he suffered much from the intense cold. He was frosted in both legs up to his knees. He was brought to Amherstburgh, and left in the care of the society. The board of directors paid every attention to him, and employed a physician to give such prescriptions as might restore the man to his wonted health. Blackburn at this time was entirely helpless. I speak as an eye-witness. I have often visited the house where he lodged, to talk and pray with the deeply-afflicted and distressed man. In twelve months Blackburn recovered, and was able to go to his work to secure a livelihood. He is now quite capable of doing this.
I have often been asked, since I have been in this country, if the fugitives in Canada show any attachment to each other, by helping those who are seen to be in distressed circumstances. To their credit, I must say that there is very great interest shown upon their part, to relieve their brethren from want. This I am fully prepared to prove by hundreds of instances. I have often wished that I could have the pleasure of seeing some of my English friends among them, that they might witness for themselves those features of kindheartedness to all persons, irrespective of race or country. As to my own part, I never knew what it was to make any distinction between man and man: and although I have been wickedly oppressed in my native country, I have never in any way tried to avenge myself, although I could have done so without being detected. I do not hate any man in the world; neither would I injure any one, except I was called to do so in defence of my own liberty and the liberty of my wife and my children. There are some other circumstances under which I might be led to use physical force, but those I pass by, hoping I may never have to lift my hand against my fellow-man. I want to live in peace "with all men," as "much as lieth in me." Oh! when will that spirit which was found in Christ become the spirit of all nations? When will that old song be repeated--"Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace: good-will towards men."
"Africa--oh, Africa!
Cradle of our tortured race;
Sunny land of Africa,
How we long to see thy face!
Never will thy sons be free,
Till our hearts shall beat in thee."
© 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.
At this time, Smith and his wife were in very humble circumstances, and depended upon their daily labour for their bread. Smith soon found work in Sloan's stone-quarry, near his home. For some months he averaged from three to four shillings per day. His wife remained at home, doing what she could with her needle to earn an honest living. In a short time they had acquired several pounds, which they thought they could expend to advantage in purchasing a few groceries. They began a small shop with Indian corn, meal, flour, coffee, tea, sugar, &c. They were very obliging to the few customers they had gained. The wife had almost the entire management of this shop, while the husband continued to work at the stone-quarry, until, by a decided increase of the business at the shop, it demanded his attention also. Smith now owns one of the best grocery shops in the town of Amherstburgh. He and his wife are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the same town. They are highly respected, as they deserve to be. They can now worship God, night or day, without the fear of the slaveholder intruding upon the rights they have found so sacredly protected by British law.
The fugitives in Amherstburgh have a society for the relief of those who are continually coming in from slavery. This society is called "The True Band Society." Smith is one of the board of directors of this institution, and does his part manfully.
I am glad to say, from personal knowledge, that this society has been the means of relieving many very destitute cases. I may mention one case in particular. A man by the name of Blackburn, an escaped slave from the State of Tennessee, was six months in making his way to Canada. Being winter, he suffered much from the intense cold. He was frosted in both legs up to his knees. He was brought to Amherstburgh, and left in the care of the society. The board of directors paid every attention to him, and employed a physician to give such prescriptions as might restore the man to his wonted health. Blackburn at this time was entirely helpless. I speak as an eye-witness. I have often visited the house where he lodged, to talk and pray with the deeply-afflicted and distressed man. In twelve months Blackburn recovered, and was able to go to his work to secure a livelihood. He is now quite capable of doing this.
I have often been asked, since I have been in this country, if the fugitives in Canada show any attachment to each other, by helping those who are seen to be in distressed circumstances. To their credit, I must say that there is very great interest shown upon their part, to relieve their brethren from want. This I am fully prepared to prove by hundreds of instances. I have often wished that I could have the pleasure of seeing some of my English friends among them, that they might witness for themselves those features of kindheartedness to all persons, irrespective of race or country. As to my own part, I never knew what it was to make any distinction between man and man: and although I have been wickedly oppressed in my native country, I have never in any way tried to avenge myself, although I could have done so without being detected. I do not hate any man in the world; neither would I injure any one, except I was called to do so in defence of my own liberty and the liberty of my wife and my children. There are some other circumstances under which I might be led to use physical force, but those I pass by, hoping I may never have to lift my hand against my fellow-man. I want to live in peace "with all men," as "much as lieth in me." Oh! when will that spirit which was found in Christ become the spirit of all nations? When will that old song be repeated--"Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace: good-will towards men."
"Africa--oh, Africa!
Cradle of our tortured race;
Sunny land of Africa,
How we long to see thy face!
Never will thy sons be free,
Till our hearts shall beat in thee."
© 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.