Rambles of a Runaway from Southern Slavery

Henry Goings, Calvin Schermerhorn,Michael Plunkett,Edward Gaynor

• Publisher: University of Virginia Press
• Year: 2012
• ISBN:
  9780813932408
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: African American Studies
• Index: Social Sciences

Rambles of a Runaway from Southern Slavery tells of an extraordinary life in and out of slavery in the United States and Canada. Born Elijah Turner in the Virginia Tidewater, circa 1810, the author eventually procured freedom papers from a man he resembled and took the man's name, Henry Goings. His life story takes us on an epic journey, traveling from his Virginia birthplace through the cotton kingdom of the Lower South, and upon his escape from slavery, through Tennessee and Kentucky, then on to the Great Lakes region of the North and to Canada. His Rambles show that slaves were found not only in fields but also on the nation's roads and rivers, perpetually in motion in massive coffles or as solitary runaways.

A freedom narrative as well as a slave narrative, this compact yet detailed book illustrates many important developments in antebellum America, such as the large-scale forced migration of enslaved people from long-established slave societies in the eastern United States to new settlements on the cotton frontier, the political-economic processes that framed that migration, and the accompanying human anguish. Goings's life and reflections serve as important primary documents of African American life and of American national expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction. This edition features an informative and insightful introduction by Calvin Schermerhorn.

Rambles of a Runaway from Southern Slavery

CHAPTER 1

My birth and birth place in Virginia.—My name, Elijah Turner.—Changes from one master to another,—In North Carolina,—Tennessee,—Alabama,—Georgia,—Mississippi,—New Orleans,—Emigrating from plantation to plantation,—My marriage,—Death of my last master.

I WAS BORN UPON the estate of James Walker, Esq.,¹ within three miles of a place called Window Shades² in the State of Virginia, and distant some two and a half miles from James’ River. Of the date of my birth, I have no knowledge; the slave has no Family Bible in which to record the births, marriages and deaths of his domestic circle. It is possible, the proprietors of a human herd may keep a registrar of births, just as an agriculturist records the annual increase of his farming stock.³ But the commemoration of birthdays is a luxury unknown to expatriated Africans; in fact, there is little cause for grateful recollection of the day which added but another victim to a state of miserable servitude. My father and mother were named respectively Abraham and Catharine Turner,⁴ and to me was given the Christian name of Elijah. How it came about that I afterwards changed my name, will subsequently appear.

My master died when I was quite young, and I therefore became the property of one Pearson Pricket,⁵ who was married to one of my master’s daughters. Four other slaves, among whom was my sister Maria, were also devised to Mrs. Pricket. My mother and two brothers became the property of Mary Morris,⁶ grand-daughter of my original proprietor. About nine months after Mr. Walker’s death, my mistress died, and my master then removed from the farm to a small place on the Richmond road called Burnt Henry,⁷ and distant some twelve miles from Williamsburg.⁸ Here he kept a liquor establishment, and I was deemed capable of acting in the capacity of groom.⁹ He was a great sportsman, and indulged in fox and deer hunting. His language was always mixed with excessive profanity. I think I have just cause to complain of his severity. He was more particular about his horses than his negroes; frequently upon his return from a journey at the hour of midnight, I would be compelled to spend nearly the remainder of the night rubbing his dirty and exhausted animal. I was often flogged for my alleged incompetency. Neither would he allow me to see my mother as often as I could have wished; I do not think that I was permitted to visit her on the adjacent farm of Mrs. Morris, more than two or three times during the space of nearly three years.

After the lapse of about a year, my master removed to Halifax, Roanoak River, North Carolina. He had sold all the slaves coming into his possession through his late wife, excepting only myself and sister. On our way to Halifax we stayed a fortnight at Petersburg. Here, a gentleman by the name of Leslie took quite a fancy for me and my sister, and offered the round sum of Eleven Hundred Dollars for us.¹⁰ He said he should make a seamstress of my sister if he could effect the purchase. The offer, however, was indignantly refused. At Halifax, I was placed at a hotel kept by one Daniel Powell,¹¹ to act in the capacity of a waiter. For the two years that I was thus employed, I did my best to excel, and received much encouragement from the many travellers who visited this lively hostelry. During the Sessions of the Court, the house was crowded with guests, many of whom were lawyers of considerable local eminence; I was delighted to hear them frequently pronounce me one of the smartest of boys. Frequent enquiries would be made as to my name, the name of my owner, the probable chances of buying me, and the money value put upon me by my master.

I remember a lawyer named Hogg, from Talbot, saying that he would give eight hundred dollars for me.¹² He expressed a great desire to see my master when he came to town. I remarked that he generally stopped at some low tavern rather than frequent the company of lawyers and gentlemen at a respectable hotel. This little drive at my master raised a loud laugh at his expense from a large muster of gentlemen in the room. Mr. Hogg had evidently become interested in me, and enquired whether I could read. On my answering in the negative, he wished to know if I had never been sent to school. I replied that I had once attended a school kept by one Bucky Dennis,¹³ in James’ City, State of Virginia,—that a neighbor’s boy named William Bush¹⁴ gave me a spelling book and endeavoured to make me believe that I was to be taught to read and write. I told the school master that I should be glad of his assistance as I had been put in possession of a spelling book.¹⁵ I sat, however, a full forenoon without receiving any aid from the teacher. I therefore said to myself, if this is the way I am to get my education I may as well keep away from school altogether. This narrative of my educational experience raised another loud laugh from the assembled company. It is not safe for a slave to let it be known that he can read, when he is so far educated. It is for the interest of the slave-holding system, that the slave be free from education. Slaves learn by stealth. The interview closed with a renewal of the offer before mentioned, with the message to my master that Mr. Hogg desired to see him concerning the business. As soon as I saw my master I told him what Mr. Hogg had said and the offer he had made. He at once indignantly swore that no man should get me out of his hands for less than a thousand dollars. Just about this time my sister was levied upon in satisfaction of Graves, from Virginia.¹⁶ She was learning to be a seamstress under the care of Mrs Powell, who had become exceedingly attached to her.¹⁷ A friend of Mrs. Powell’s named McPherson, offered four hundred and fifty dollars to the trader, who, at the sale had given four hundred dollars.¹⁸ He treated the offer with contempt, saying he had bought my sister for the South Carolina market and could realize at least six or seven hundred dollars for his recent purchase.¹⁹ Mrs. Powell had hoped to raise the money for the purchase of my sister at the Sheriff’s sale, but in this she had failed and was much distressed at losing her services. The trader remarked, that he would give 700 dollars for me as we seemed to be attached to each other, but as the sale of my sister had satisfied the claim I was not brought to the hammer. Our parting I need not say, was a bitter one. My mother had also begged of Mr. Picket that as we were so much attached to each other he would sell us together. The feelings or desires of the slave, however, are of little account to his merciless owner. Even where humanity would sometimes yield, the stern necessities of bankruptcy forbid its beneficent exercise.

During my stay at Halifax I was the object of keen competition. A lawyer named Drew took a great fancy to me and offered five hundred dollars in good notes and three hundred in cash, but his offer was refused.²⁰ This was three hundred dollars above the average price of boys of my age, but my master evidently appreciated his property, and determined that it should bring the highest market price. A competitor of Mr. Drew’s was a Mr. Burgess, who offered a thousand dollars, but how much of this was upon cash terms, I was never able to ascertain.²¹ I greatly desired to fall into the hands of this gentleman as he was not only a kind master, but it was said he never kept a slave after he or she had attained the age of twenty-one. My master, however, determined that he would not sell me to Mr. Burgess, whom he denounced as too much of a tory and abolitionist.²² This was a great blow to me as I had become aware of the advantages of getting into the service of such a man.

My master had knowledge of a mechanical business. He was an excellent gunsmith. He was, however, far too proud to work, and thus became involved in debt. My sister became converted into money, and it now became my turn to be seized by the Sheriff. I was negotiated as security for a lone of five hundred dollars to a Mr. Hives, of Halifax, North Carolina, who took me at once into his possession. Mr. Hives had authority to sell me for a sum not less than five hundred dollars. A Mr. Henry Smith took quite a liking to me in behalf of his brother Joseph,²³ then in New Jersey, and prevailed on Hives to keep me until his return. David Mason, a brother-in-law of the Smiths, also expressed a desire to get me.²⁴ One day he came over and asked me if I should like to go and live with him. Having heard that he was a severe master, I replied in the negative. He observed that he was one of those independent men who never bought a servant that did not wish to live with him. In about four months, Joseph Smith arrived home, and accompanied by his brother Henry, and his brother-in-law Daniel Mason, came over the river to look at me.²⁵ Mr. Joseph Smith enquired of me whether I should like to go and reside with him, I promptly answered that I should not. The fact was, my great desire had been to be purchased by Mr. Burgess, but of course I did not allege this as my reason for expressing myself unfavorably towards Mr. Smith’s service. He then tried coaxing, and patting me on the head said: “My boy, I would like to buy you, you are just the lad to suit me. For what reason do you refuse to consent?” I then told him that I should like Mr. Burgess to buy me because that gentleman would give me chances to go and see my mother in Virginia where I came from. He replied: “If that is all, I will buy you and give you opportunities to visit your mother. I travel a great deal in various parts of the country, and you will be able to see her very often.” The bargain was therefore soon concluded. He paid Mr. Hives $500, and took me to his mother’s residence. It was agreed between them that I should be called Elijah Smith. It is customary to give the slave the surname of his master and in many cases both names, where but one slave is kept. The old lady seemed pleased with me, and gave me a good dinner, informing me that I should always take my meals in the house.*

My master then showed me to his stables in which were two very fine horses. He told me that I must feed and clean these animals, keeping them as sleek as butterflies. One of the animals, a fine black horse, he said, he gave me, the other was used by himself as a “sulky” horse. A few days afterwards he brought me home a new suit of clothes.²⁶

On one occasion my master took a trip to Raleigh the capital of North Carolina where his sister Mrs. Williams resided.²⁷ We stayed there, I should think, some six months. My master instructed Mrs. Williams to keep me well employed when I was not attending to the horses, and most faithfully she followed her instructions. She would keep me rubbing furniture till nine or ten o’clock at night. The servants were all treated with much severity. The cook, of course a slave, was almost a daily victim to severe floggings. Many a time I have heard him express the wish that the Lord would take him out of the world, for death would be a relief from such unmitigated cruelty. A woman they called Nancy was said to be half sister to Mrs. Williams, an illegitimate daughter of her father’s, and consequently treated with considerable leniency.²⁸ I came very near getting a severe whipping myself as a penalty for a somewhat mischievous freak. Much of my leisure time was spent collecting withered leaves in a wheelbarrow from a handsome grove adjoining the house. One day when I was not in the best of humors, I drove my loaded wheelbarrow in among the horses, which being frightened, kicked it sadly to pieces, but I managed with hammer and nails to patch it up as well as I was able. Next morning, however, Robt. Williams sent his servant, to use the barrow in fetching a barrel of flour, but alas! the damage was of too serious a nature and I was summarily charged with being the author of the misfortune.²⁹ The trick was told to my master and he told General Williams to take me into the garden and whip me to his heart’s content. Next morning he took me into the garden, and threatened to skin me alive for the next offence, taking care to tell me that my master had given him full permission to flog me to his own satisfaction. It was a narrow escape, and I took care to avoid a second offence. Raleigh is a very beautiful place—It is situated on high ground, the capital overlooking the town from a very lofty eminence. The streets are wide, and there are many substantial buildings, not the least of which is a handsome residence for the Governor of the State.

I was glad, however, when we turned our backs upon the town for I was subject to all the severity exercised by General Williams to his own slaves. Even on Sundays, I was deprived of the liberties usually accorded to family servants. There always seemed great manifestations of affection between these parties. The old lady, Mrs. Smith, perfectly doted on her youngest son Joseph and this unequivocal expression of maternal love could not but make me sad when I thought of the unfulfilled promises with regard to myself, which seemed to have been forgotten by my master as soon as I had become his property. The matron spoke to me very kindly, shaking me by the hand as if I had been something more than a saleable chattel. They had but two sons Henry and Joseph, the former had added to his estate by marriage and was the possessor of one hundred and fifty slaves. His farm was close to Harper’s Ferry and was subsequently sold by him, it was said, for the sum of thirty thousand dollars.³⁰ Situated upon the Roanoak river, it was a splendid place for carrying on fishing to a very heavy extent. At this point the river was shallow and the bed rocky. During the month of August the slaves would frequently be put to fishing with nets. Rock fish were as fine in size as they were abundant in quantity. I have seen some specimens weighing from sixty to seventy pounds.³¹ Shadd were also found below what was called the Muscle shoal, as also Sturgeon in large quantities.³² For these facilities combined with unusual agricultural productiveness, the farm of Mr. Henry Smith in North Carolina, had a notoriety rarely surpassed in the Southern States.³³

It will thus readily be perceived that the Smiths were influential people in their immediate neighborhood. They were a more energetic money seeking race of men than the ordinary planters of the south. The most efficient means were adopted to render their property productive. They could not content themselves in the easygoing slip shod style of many of their neighbors. They fed and clothed their slaves well from motives of sound policy. The slaves might attend Church on Sundays, and except during the busy seasons, a week’s work was completed on Saturday at noon. Public sentiment in this part of the country was not in favor of undue cruelty. Severe floggings were of rare occurrence.

The “Western fever” is sometimes, however, as likely to show itself in the South as in the North. The Smiths were not the kind of men to rest satisfied with doing well if they could see a reasonable hope of doing better by migration. Daniel Mason, who had married, one of the Misses Smith, was a strong advocate for going West.³⁴ He succeeded in inducing Henry and Joseph Smith, together with William Dancey,³⁵ who had married Mason’s sister, to accompany him to Tennessee. The journey was a formidable one, as the distance to be travelled was, I believe, a thousand miles, and the railway had not yet been built upon the route.³⁶ There were about 460 slaves including old and young; it therefore required a very considerable caravan to move so large a body of people and to provide provision and tent equipage for the journey.³⁷ The worst feature of this species of migration arises from its being an involuntary act on the part of the slaves, who were the large body of the emigrants. It involves not merely the dissolution of life long friendship, but it severs the most sacred ties of domestic relationship. Not only is the child separated from the parent, but not unfrequently the husband is separated from the wife. This is one of many of the dark sides of the picture which cannot be treated with too much severity. To the slave, the marriage service is little more than a farce. The husband, the property of one person, and the wife, the property of another, what security is there that the marital relation shall be upheld until death severs the relationship? A bankruptcy, a death, or a removal, may produce a score or two of involuntary divorces. Surely the present age hath not this parallel of cruelty? There was quite a scene at this unusually large parting. The number of persons present must have been a thousand. Some of the slave-holders themselves who were looking on, could hardly refrain from tears. As only some twelve miles were accomplished, the first afternoon, many, contrary to orders, returned during the night to accomplish one more short interview with those to be for ever left behind. There were some twenty white men in the travelling company, and the most expert and responsible of the colored men were appointed to overlook the welfare of the rest. Apple brandy was freely distributed, and every means adopted to make the journey agreeable and to drown in forgetfulness the friends and kindred left behind. We halted some three or four days at Nashville to take in a full supply of winter clothing and provisions. From this place, we had to travel about one hundred and ten miles through a sparsely settled and most dismal country. After passin...