23. They_were_conveyed_to_Donora_Map
Image by Jim Surkamp
George_Johnson_Flickr_Script
George Johnson
youtu.be/ID92N-jc8X4 TRT: 14:46
George Johnson Escapes To Freedom by Jim Surkamp (close-captioned)
youtu.be/l9XCaxcp6LE TRT; 14:46
George Johnson Escapes To Freedom by Jim Surkamp
civilwarscholars.com/?p=12104 2596 words
0. escape routes
1. The_Boston_publisher_Title_page_of_book
In 1856, the Boston publisher of John Jewett, printed a compilation of interviews conducted and collected by Benjamin Drew. Titled: "A North-side View of Slavery: The Refugee: Or, The Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada, Related by Themselves.” Drew lived in what he called “Upper Canada” and wrote that most of the 30,000 persons of color living in that region were overwhelmingly people who braved the ordeal of escaping to Canada, where, as of 1833, enslavement had been abolished. Traveling through fourteen communities, Drew wrote the accounts of 118 arrivals. As Drew put it: “While the informants talked, I wrote.” One informant Drew listened to and transcribed was George Johnson whose life began in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.
2. George_Johnson’s_Escape_Strother_Harpers_1856
George Johnsons’ Escapeds to Freedom:
3. I_arrived_in_St_Catharines_Map
The Journey of George Johnson: I arrived in St. Catharines’ about two hours ago, April 17, 1855.
4. I_was_raised_near_Harpers_Ferry_Map
I was raised near Harper’s Ferry. I was used as well as the people about there are used. My master used to pray in his family with the house servants, morning and evening. I attended these services until I was eighteen, when I was put out on the farm, and lived in a cabin.
5. We_were_well_supplied_with_food_Winnowing_Eastman_Johnson
6. We_went_to_work_at_sunrise_Cornfield_Eastman_Johnson
We were well supplied with food. We went to work at sunrise, and quit work between sundown and dark. Some were sold from my master’s farm, and many from the neighborhood.
7. He_was_more_in_danger_of_being_sold_Strother_whipper
If a man did any thing out of the way, he was in more danger of being sold South than of being whipped. The slaves were always afraid of being sold South. The Southern masters were believed to be much worse than those about us.
8. I_had__great_wish_for_liberty_Eastman_Johnson_boy_flute
I had a great wish for liberty when I was a boy. I always had it in my head to clear.
9. But_I_had_a_wife_and_children_Eastman_Johnson_Old_South
But I had a wife and children.
10. my_wife_died_last_year_of_cholera_and_then_cholera_bacillus
However, my wife died last year of cholera, and then
11. I_determined_not_to_remain_George_Johnson_Power_of_Music_Eastman_Johnson
I determined not to remain in that country.
12. When_my_old_master_died_I_fell_to_his_son_ Detail_Power_of_Music_Eastman_Johnson
When my old master died, I fell to his son. I had no difficulty with him, but was influenced merely by a love of liberty. I felt disagreeably about leaving my friends, — but I knew I might have to leave them by going South.
13. There_was_a_fellow_servant_of_mine_named_Thomas_Eastman_Johnson_Fiddling_His_Way
There was a fellow-servant of mine named Thomas. My master gave him a letter one day, to carry to a soul-driver. Thomas got a man to read it, who told him he was sold. Thomas then got a free man to carry the letter. They handcuffed the free man, and put him in jail. Thomas, when he saw them take the free man, dodged into the bush. He came to us.
13a. We made up a purse
We made up a purse, and sent him on his way. Next day, the man who had carried the letter, sent for his friends and got out. The master denied to us that he intended to sell Thomas. He did not get the money for him. Thomas afterward wrote a letter from Toronto to his friend.
14. I_prepared_myself_by_getting_cakes_etc_Detail_Power_Music_Eastman_Johnson
I prepared myself by getting cakes, etc., and
15. On_a_Saturday_night_in_March_night_sky
on a Saturday night in March,
16. I_and_two_comrades_started_off_together
I and two comrades started off together. They were younger than I. We travelled by night and slept by day
17. Until_we_reached_Pittsburgh
until we reached Pittsburgh.
When we had got through the town, I left the two boys, and told them not to leave while I went back to a grocery for food. When I returned, they were gone, — I do not know their fate. I stopped in that neighborhood two nights, trying to find them — I did not dare to inquire for them. The second night, I made up my mind to ask after them, but my heart failed me. I am of opinion that they got to Canada, as they knew the route. At length I was obliged to come off without them.
18. The_route_George_Johnson_very_likely_took_to_Pittsburgh_Wallace_Map
This is an account of the route George Johnson very likely took to Pittsburgh, as written by one of the very few people, directly involved who would write about it. Johnson and others like him were usually being hunted, because the nationally-legislated Fugitive Slave Act was in effect when he escaped. The law allowed Johnson’s legal owner to pursue him into the free state of Pennsylvania, recapture him, and, literally prosecute the escapee and any person hiding him, for possessing his stolen property. And the charge would be recognized by the local sheriff and the court as legitimate.
The relevant portion of the text from the eye-witness, Howard Wallace, which he published in 1903, is reproduced here in its entirety because such first-hand accounts are so rare and important and because it very likely describes George Johnson’s own experience during that leg of his journey. Whether Johnson traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania or found a way to cross Lake Erie is unknown. A railroad line connected Pittsburgh to Erie and was used as one route.
Johnson, was helped by a well-run network of helpers, usually free African-Americans and sympathetic Quakers, who fed the fugitives and hid them in cellars. Secrecy had to be absolute because he would likely be hunted. The usual plan for the Canada-bound fugitive was to start as summer approached, hide by day and travel by night – an allowable distance during one night of about ten miles.
19. I_am_the_only_one_living_that_aided_slaves_between_Uniontown_and_Pittsburgh_Wallace
I find in 1903 that I am the only one living that aided in helping the slaves through between Uniontown and Pittsburgh. In the first place it was a mystery how they found their way North through the mountains, wilderness and deep ravines, but many of them told that the North Star was their guide. Some by another guide, the moss on the trees always growing on the North side of the trees. They were trying to come North, hearing that the Northern States were free.
They encountered great hardships – were weeks on their journey, were greatly fatigued, starved and sustained bruised feet from walking. They would walk all night and hide under rocks and brambles during the day. It took great courage, and many times they were almost ready to give up and die. In fact, many did. I have conversed with many who made the trip. It was heart-rending to hear them tell of the many difficulties.
It was almost life or death with them. They were hunted as the partridge on the prairie. It was only by the hand of Providence that they ever reached the free states. George_Johnson_Flickr_Script
George Johnson
youtu.be/ID92N-jc8X4 TRT: 14:46
George Johnson Escapes To Freedom by Jim Surkamp (close-captioned)
youtu.be/l9XCaxcp6LE TRT; 14:46
George Johnson Escapes To Freedom by Jim Surkamp
civilwarscholars.com/?p=12104 2596 words
0. escape routes
1. The_Boston_publisher_Title_page_of_book
In 1856, the Boston publisher of John Jewett, printed a compilation of interviews conducted and collected by Benjamin Drew. Titled: "A North-side View of Slavery: The Refugee: Or, The Narratives of Fugitive Slaves in Canada, Related by Themselves.” Drew lived in what he called “Upper Canada” and wrote that most of the 30,000 persons of color living in that region were overwhelmingly people who braved the ordeal of escaping to Canada, where, as of 1833, enslavement had been abolished. Traveling through fourteen communities, Drew wrote the accounts of 118 arrivals. As Drew put it: “While the informants talked, I wrote.” One informant Drew listened to and transcribed was George Johnson whose life began in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia.
2. George_Johnson’s_Escape_Strother_Harpers_1856
George Johnsons’ Escapeds to Freedom:
3. I_arrived_in_St_Catharines_Map
The Journey of George Johnson: I arrived in St. Catharines’ about two hours ago, April 17, 1855.
4. I_was_raised_near_Harpers_Ferry_Map
I was raised near Harper’s Ferry. I was used as well as the people about there are used. My master used to pray in his family with the house servants, morning and evening. I attended these services until I was eighteen, when I was put out on the farm, and lived in a cabin.
5. We_were_well_supplied_with_food_Winnowing_Eastman_Johnson
6. We_went_to_work_at_sunrise_Cornfield_Eastman_Johnson
We were well supplied with food. We went to work at sunrise, and quit work between sundown and dark. Some were sold from my master’s farm, and many from the neighborhood.
7. He_was_more_in_danger_of_being_sold_Strother_whipper
If a man did any thing out of the way, he was in more danger of being sold South than of being whipped. The slaves were always afraid of being sold South. The Southern masters were believed to be much worse than those about us.
8. I_had__great_wish_for_liberty_Eastman_Johnson_boy_flute
I had a great wish for liberty when I was a boy. I always had it in my head to clear.
9. But_I_had_a_wife_and_children_Eastman_Johnson_Old_South
But I had a wife and children. However, my wife died last year of cholera, and then
11. I_determined_not_to_remain_George_Johnson_Power_of_Music_Eastman_Johnson
I determined not to remain in that country.
12. When_my_old_master_died_I_fell_to_his_son_ Detail_Power_of_Music_Eastman_Johnson
When my old master died, I fell to his son. I had no difficulty with him, but was influenced merely by a love of liberty. I felt disagreeably about leaving my friends, — but I knew I might have to leave them by going South.
13. There_was_a_fellow_servant_of_mine_named_Thomas_Eastman_Johnson_Fiddling_His_Way
There was a fellow-servant of mine named Thomas. My master gave him a letter one day, to carry to a soul-driver. Thomas got a man to read it, who told him he was sold. Thomas then got a free man to carry the letter. They handcuffed the free man, and put him in jail. Thomas, when he saw them take the free man, dodged into the bush. He came to us. We made up a purse, and sent him on his way. Next day, the man who had carried the letter, sent for his friends and got out. The master denied to us that he intended to sell Thomas. He did not get the money for him. Thomas afterward wrote a letter from Toronto to his friend.
14. I_prepared_myself_by_getting_cakes_etc_Detail_Power_Music_Eastman_Johnson
I prepared myself by getting cakes, etc., and
15. 15. On_a_Saturday_night_in_March_night_sky
on a Saturday night in March,
16. 16. I_and_two_comrades_started_off_together
I and two comrades started off together. They were younger than I. We travelled by night and slept by day
17. 17. Until_we_reached_Pittsburgh
until we reached Pittsburgh.
When we had got through the town, I left the two boys, and told them not to leave while I went back to a grocery for food. When I returned, they were gone, — I do not know their fate. I stopped in that neighborhood two nights, trying to find them — I did not dare to inquire for them. The second night, I made up my mind to ask after them, but my heart failed me. I am of opinion that they got to Canada, as they knew the route. At length I was obliged to come off without them.
18. The_route_George_Johnson_very_likely_took_to_Pittsburgh_Wallace_Map
This is an account of the route George Johnson very likely took to Pittsburgh, as written by one of the very few people, directly involved who would write about it. Johnson and others like him were usually being hunted, because the nationally-legislated Fugitive Slave Act was in effect when he escaped. The law allowed Johnson’s legal owner to pursue him into the free state of Pennsylvania, recapture him, and, literally prosecute the escapee and any person hiding him, for possessing his stolen property. And the charge would be recognized by the local sheriff and the court as legitimate.
The relevant portion of the text from the eye-witness, Howard Wallace, which he published in 1903, is reproduced here in its entirety because such first-hand accounts are so rare and important and because it very likely describes George Johnson’s own experience during that leg of his journey. Whether Johnson traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania or found a way to cross Lake Erie is unknown. A railroad line connected Pittsburgh to Erie and was used as one route.
Johnson, was helped by a well-run network of helpers, usually free African-Americans and sympathetic Quakers, who fed the fugitives and hid them in cellars. Secrecy had to be absolute because he would likely be hunted. The usual plan for the Canada-bound fugitive was to start as summer approached, hide by day and travel by night – an allowable distance during one night of about ten miles.
19. I_am_the_only_one_living_that_aided_slaves_between_Uniontown_and_Pittsburgh_Wallace
I find in 1903 that I am the only one living that aided in helping the slaves through between Uniontown and Pittsburgh. In the first place it was a mystery how they found their way North through the mountains, wilderness and deep ravines, but many of them told that the North Star was their guide. Some by another guide, the moss on the trees always growing on the North side of the trees. They were trying to come North, hearing that the Northern States were free.
They encountered great hardships – were weeks on their journey, were greatly fatigued, starved and sustained bruised feet from walking. They would walk all night and hide under rocks and brambles during the day. It took great courage, and many times they were almost ready to give up and die. In fact, many did. I have conversed with many who made the trip. It was heart-rending to hear them tell of the many difficulties.
It was almost life or death with them. They were hunted as the partridge on the prairie. It was only by the hand of Providence that they ever reached the free states.
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