New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-25
THE LENNON SLAVES.
A FAMILY SKETCH.

The Lennon Slaves, or rather Freemen.
are now safe in Canada. We say sefs, whatever
decision the Supreme Court may arrive st
upon the appeal from the Judgment delivered
by Judge Paine. in their case; and though in
the event Gifts being adverse to their freedom,
Lennon and his wife should refuse to carry into e.
feet their promise to msnumt them Some interesting
hets In regard TO this family, and illustrative of the
peculiar institutions Of the South have come TO
knowledge, which we propose briefly to nsrrate.
About Ia years ago there lived in Bath County Va.
planter who YVES commonly called Billy Douglass
He had six children to each of whom he gave a slave
about their own age when they were quite young.
These slaves grew up with his children, and became
In due time their attendants When Douglass died be
possessed about 40 slaves, which divided among
his family and by that means became separated from
each ether, the Douglass family then residing in differ
ent parts OF Virginia Among the slaves given away
was boy named Levi he fell to the lot Of Mary
Douglass, by whom, until her marriage, he was well
treated. When he about 10 years Of age, his
mistress married Of no very reputable char
acter, of the name Of Smmons Al soon az he became
master Of the slaves Of his wife their situation was ma
terislly changed for the worse. Levi, and another
slave OF tie names Of James Wright had ventured to
ak their mistress not to marry this simmons for they
feared his cruel treatment This fact came to his
knowledge and punish their audacity he determined
to sell them 20 the far South Having learned that
negro trader, of the name of Wheroe, was at town
twelve miles of, on his way to Alabama, with a collie
Of 80 ssves he brought him to his house where he
Levi and Wright and privately struck bargain for
them.
The manner in which they were inspected by With.
eroe though intended to dsarm suspicion neverthe-
aroused H. and became the subject of serious consde
ration between Levi and Wright They felt persuaded
that they had been sold by their master for the south
market but they resolved that they would not 20
thther and made their arrangements accordingly.
The morning after their sale had been effected,
Wi,heroe made his appearance accompanied by sew
eral men, and announced TO Levi and Wright the fact
that they were his slaves and must proceed immedi
aiely to join the cofe, then waiting for them at the
neighboring town. Handouts produced, and
were about being placed their wrists, when they
stated that 1t unnecessary that they should be so
fastened as they quite willing and ready to so
with him anywhere, for they were tired OF living
with Simmons. Wiiheroe thereupon consented to let
them 20 with him uufettered. Knowing the country
well Levi and Wright planned their escape so as most
eficctuay to battle the pursuit o Witheroe and his
slaves as were near they set out with apparent cheer
fne. with the negro trader, but they had cot been
more than half an hour on the road when they had
preconcerted they suddenly lcaped over fence and
being active young men, soon buriedi In the depths
Of tie adjacent wood, whittier their pursuers in vain
rrove to follow them They felt the importance Of has
tesing their steps and travelled fast they were
able distance Of sixty miles. At the end OF their
journey they obtained shelter and rereshment among
some slaves whom they had formerly known in their
own neighborhood. As soon as they had sufficiently
rested they started for Ohio, but by some nishap,
were and pursued by party of twenty five men.
They exertcd themselves to the utmost to escape,
but Wright only able to effect it Levi was taken
and put in Jail whore he duly advertised as run
away There he was confined 1--WE weeks, waiting the
arrival of his owner In the meantime being an ex
ceen dancer he managed to get into the good gr,ces
Of his jailor, who invited white people to come and
zee his fests They often gave him pieces Of money,
ard finding that bis keeper was fond Of whisky he
literally supplied him with Il out OF the proceeds
Having made arrangements for bis escape from this
prison. house, he seized his opportunity, when his
keeper was in state of complete ntoxicatiOn-and he
Lad no one to oppose his progress but the keepers
wife. Having easily overcome her resistance he ied
second time for Ohio where after incredible fatigue,
rived These he fell in with the managers d the
UNDERGROUND Railroad and placed by
them in position of comparative safety After labor
ing some time in the country be removed TO Cleveland
snd there he became waiter in one Of the hotels
where for while we must leave him and return to his
fellow fugitive, James Wright He succeeded after
great exeron in reaching Ohio and by the aid cheer
fully rendered by the friends Of the flying slave
III l m ia VIII he
the occupation of farmer and can st under the
shelter of his own roof none daring 70 make him
afraid"
Levi having engaged with Wright, that in case they
should be separated in their fight and siferward be
fortunate enough reach Canada they would meet At
Maden-he in August last year, went thther 20 make
inquiries AT that time be knew not whether Wright
was dead or alive, freeman slave, and scarcely
yentured to hope that he should NEE; him again. How
ever or his arrival al Maiden be found tina, Wright
was culiivatlng small farm shares, few miles OF
snd was doing well He soon bad the satisfaction OF
meeting him. and their JOY was unbounded when they
grssped esch others hands in land Of freedom. Levi
had tie additional eradication Of meeting two Of his
cousins in Maiden who had previously escaped from
The house of bondage" Finding some Of his rela-
lions and friends in this town and neghborhood and
nc, Judging himself quite from the operation Of
the Fugitive Slave Law" IN Cleveland, be pur'
chased out Of h,s earnings, small 10, Of land,
determining settle in Maiden a. soon as he conven-
enily could With this prospect in view he returned
10 Cleveland ard there resumed his occupation 8
wafer.
ore morning, while tie esse Of the Lennon slaves
was under so gde&tion New York he heard read the
particulars and az once discovered in them near and
dear relations he Immediately put himself in con-
munica;cn with friend in Cleveland who telegraphed
tie fact 70 one Of the Committee in NewYork, when
ater due canton /; determined that be should pro
coed thihsr, without delay this he did, and We had
the satisfaction Of knowing that in Nancy be found
SITTER in Emneine an aunt, in their children nephews
and cousins, and in the two youths who were with
mem brothers. But this was not al be announced
James Wright 10 be the husband OF Nancy and the ia
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