Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-30

The narrative of Mr. John Turner, who iates
y lectured in this place on slavery, is substan1
italy as follows:
Il was born at Newbdrn, North Carolina,
about the year 1895. My father was a Wits
man, and cashier of bank in my native town.
Ny mother was colored wolfram and slave.
OF course as my mother was slave, was one
myself l have been owned by several differ
ent persons. The name of my first master was
Cutting. My mistress became widow and
married man from the state of Connecticut
by the name Of Allen 1 was owned by him
about thirty years. used to hire my time Of
him, and have paid first and last, about $4,000,
besides $500 which paid him just before he
died. towards the purchase Of myself, and which
| lost, as he died before receiving the whole a
mount he asked for me, viz, $500, and with
out leaving any receipt or acknowledgment of
the $500 which had paid him.
On the death of Mr. Allen, was sold by the
administrators of his estate, to Mr.. Bell
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In about week afterwards, was sold by him
to Spectator. IA Spectator in Southern
phraseoIogy, is one who trafIicS in saves) !
was then put on my way to New Orleans.-s
Myself and three others were chained together,
and made fast to the hind axletree of wagon
by means of chain, myself in the lead. The
wagon was driven by boy. The whole was
under the coduct of something in the shape Of
man on horseback In this condition we were
driven to Norfolk, Virginia. This was in Feb
ruary or March, 1884. At Norfolk, about
800 slaves were taken on board the ship Ajax,
myself and my three companions being of the
number At another town about go more were
taken on board. We were all taken to New
Orleans. We were there put in the slave
pen.
In the day time had the opportunity of oc'
casionaly stealing out of this pen. Taking
advantage of this, made an arrangement with
an Englishman to secrete me on board ship
bound to Havre in France. This ship had pro-
ceeded about as far as Key West, when had
the dismal luck to be discovered by the Cap
tain. was then sent back to New Orleans
by vessel that was deserted and spoken
by our ship This vessel was brig from
Boston.
When I arrived at New Orleans, was thrown
into the caaboose, stretched upon the ladder,
and was made taut by having my hands and
feet fastened with cords. In this condition /
received upon my bare skin 26 blows from the
paddle. The paddle resembles a shovel. 1t
is ennnrnls m ado Of an oak hoard inch
thick l-2 feet long, and the wide end bored
full of holes No tongue can describe what
saw when in this Caaboose Among the in
mates were many slaves, some nearly white
I have seen the ladder placed in horizontal
postion-females then stretched upon it with
their faces downwards, their hands and feet
were then made fast with cords, then the lash
was applied to their naked limbs and at every
blow the blood would fly; frequently they would
faint and cold water would be thrown upon them
to revive them. When taken from the ladder
and led away, the blood would run III streams
into their shoes, and have seen it run over the
tops of their shoes.
was taken from the Caaboose loaded with
heavy iron and set to work in the streets;
was taken from this situation by my owner, or
by the man to whom | was consigned, and re-
Ieved of my load of iron. was now IN state
of enlargement sufficient to secrete myself again
on vessel by the help Of an Englishman. This
vessel was bound to New York. Before reach
ing the latter city was discovered by one of the
crew The mate in anger, was about TO order
me overheard, but the captain interfered and sd
we'd my life. He inquired my name told him
my name was John Turner, name which at
that moment assumed He ordered the name of
| Tobo hic IN Mott
York, to be entered on his log book. have ev.
err since borne that name. We came to anchor
near New York. and after being quartered some
days we were taken up to the city by steam'
boat. AS the boat came to stop at the land
ing place, leaped upon the wharf, and was
FREE.
was then in condition for which | had all
my life longed, and to gain which had passed
through incredible sufferings. Since my arrival
at New York, which was in August 1884, |
have resided most of the time in New Haven,
CT. A part of the time have worked. at my
trade, which | learned in North Carolina when
slave. have been several voyages at sea, as
steward; have been in different parts of Eu-
rope, up the Mediterranean and to the West In
dies About two years ago, measures were tai
ken to redeem from slavery, my daughter, an
only child She was owned by Capt J. G. Ste
venson, OF Newburn, North Carolina My fam
lily was owned by that man when was sold a.
way from them to New Orleans. Mr. Steven
son considered my daughter TAT the time of ne.
gotiation) worth $3.50, but offered her to me for
$500. That sum raised by the help Of the
benevolent and humane, and bought my daughter
into freedom in the month Of March, IS45.