The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1850-07-10
DE S U L T o r Y
~ From Chambers Journal.

.g..f ee aa4 From Chambers Journal
The Fugitive Negro Blacksmith.
We have had the satisfaction Of forming
the acquaintance of veritable negro doctor
OF diviniIy--a man Of agreeable manners,
and pastor Of a. large colored congregation.
The history Of this person-T The Rev. James
W. G. Pennington which has been publish,
ed in the form of small volume, is so curl!
Gus, that we suppose drawing attention to
its contents.
DR.. Pennington was born n slave in the
Stale OF Maryland and for the first ttwenty-
one years Of his life he was brought up chief
Iy on the estate Of bis master, who also own
ed his mother and several brothers aud sis.
ters. While still young, he was taught the
craft of blacksmith, in which occupation he
made himself SO useful to his proprietor, that
his value, when grown up, was al least
thousand dollars. Broughtup inrotaI igno~
rance fletters or Of religion, and perform,
ing adult round Of mechanical druggeries
james was left entirely 10 the rude prompt
Ings Of nature. There was in HIM, nover~
theless, as in all Gods creatures, q spirit
which revolted az lust coarse oppression,
aud made him sigh for liberty the unchal-
lenged possession Of his own person. The
spectacle Of his father "cow!h hlded" for no of
fence Produced commotion ofleeiiDg thai
almost induced him 10 fy;-and matters
were brought to crisis by n fresh insult. H
was one day. says he, 'shoeng n horse in
the shop yard. | Ind been STOPPING Eor some
time under the weight Of the horse, which
was large, aud was very tired meanwhile
my master had taken his position on little
hill just in front of me, and stood leaning back
on his cane, with his hat drawn over his
eyes. put down the horse's foot, and
Strengthened myself up to resi- moment,
and, without knowing that he was there, my
eye caught his This threw him into pan
icofrage; he would have il that was watch
ing him. What are you rolling your white
eyes at me for, you lazy rascalr lie came
down upon me with his cane, and laid on
over my shoulders, arms, and legs, about a
dozen severe blows; SO that my limbs and
flesh we're sore for several weeks; and then,
afier sevelal olber offensive epthets, he left
me. This afflir my mother saw from her
cottage, which was near; being one of the
oldest sons Of my parents, our family was
now mortified 10 the lowest degree, had
always aimed 10 be trustworthy and feeling
high degree of mechanical ptde, 4 had
aimed 10 do my work with dispatch, end
skill; my blacksmith's pride. and taste was
one thing that hndIeconciled me to become
slave. Isoughlg to distinguish myself in
the finer branches Of the business by invcn
ZION and finish; frequently uied my hsnt
ut making guns and pistols, putting blades
in penknives, making fancy hammars, hatch
cts, swordcanes, &c. Besides,I used 10 as
sist my lathera at night in making slraw-hat'
and willow BASKETS by which means w
supplied our family with litle alticles 0
food, Clothing and luxury, which slaves il
the, mildest form Of the system never ge
from the master; but after this; found tina
ny mechanics pleasure and pride wer
gone. Thought of nothing but the faml
disgrace under which we were sm0riing, an
how 10 get lid Of it,
Without counsel orfassislancc, james de
termined 10 abscond. and, II possible, I
reach the free soil Of Pc nsylyania,e On
Sunday VI November, when oil was quiet, i
stole away into The woods, but sol provide
for Aglt, that his Whole stock Of proyisioI
was u iuOIaoi EolH DICUy dDO'
half pound IN weight Pnrsuipg his wa
darkness camc on, and his only guide WI
now the north star, though when or whel
he should strike Pennsylvania, or fnd
friend, he knew not Several days al lea
would require 10 be consumed on the jour
ey.& al three O'Clock IN the morning Il
strenelhlof lhe fngitise began 10 fail, and
fell lhe chilling etIects.o il,e dew. sAt III
moment gloom snd melancholy againsprer
through my whole soul. Tie prospect
utief dessituIion which tlifeatened me w
more than Icould bear aud my heart bega
10 melt. What substance is hAIe in a ple'
Of dry Indian hredG. what nourishahent
therein il 10 warm the nerves of one alreaf
chilled 20 Tie heaFt7 VIII this afford su1
ctent eustensncs sfier the toll Of the nigh
Bur while ihese thoughts we're agitatiag o
mind the day dewned upon me, 10 the md
Of an open of country, where the on
shelter could find, without rIaking iray
by day light yps ! corn shock, but 2 &
haI W ysNihiiH0 ailast cd aiagra Wbrol ada
S4l1iilif akt,fW ia gilss eas
G. b 8. T.