Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-31
An Enterprising and Persevering COIOred
Mnn-ThO Uses of Freedom.

Hnn-IhO Uses OF Efee0OIns
Robert Napper, celored man of this city,
has by perseverance, industry and affection
for his wife and children, given an example
worthy of imitation, and has also shown that
there is no difficulty which can not be sur
mounted by patient industry and deter
mination to use all honorable means to the
object sought for.
Mr.. Nepper was born slave in Virginia,
the property of Mr.. Davis, near Staunton,
! Augusta county. When he had arrived at
the age of thirty-four years, having heard
persons talk about the sweets cf liberty, be
hit upon plan to obtain his freedom. he
became acquainted with Mr,John Brandeburg,
a merchant in Staunton, to whom he made
proposition that he (Brandeburg) should
purchase him and hire him out and certain
portion of his wages should go towards the
| amount paid for his purchase. The merchant,
| knowing Napier to be faithful and honest
servant, acceded to his wishes, and purchased
him from his master for $1,000. He immedi-
tely hired him out, and in four years hard
labor, in which the thoughts Of freedom
buoyed him up, he succeeded in obtaining
sufficient for his ransom; and true to his
promise, Mr.. Brandeburg gave him his eman-
cipation papers. But now came the hardest
trial of his life. He had wife and FIVE
children whom be loved, and according to the
laws of Virginia, he must leave the State with
in ten days, or be sold back again into slavery.
But like man, he neryed himself for the
trial, bid adieu to his weeping wife and child
rem, and tore himself from all he loved and
priced on earth, and in a few days found
himself in Columbus among strangers. He
did not, however, sit down and grieve about
his hard lot, or murmur, and long for the /
flesh pots of Egypt" but with a cheerful
heart, big with hope, he set about the work
ofObtaining the means by which to emanci-
pate his wife and children. In one year after
he came to this city, through his own industry
and the help of friends who knew his worth,
he was able to purchase his wife and babe,
through an agent in Virginia, for whom he
paid $3.50. ESQ -a7
Encouraged by his success, he again went
to work, and few days ago, through the
same agent, he purchased his youngest boy, |
Cornelius, who cost him, delivered here, ST.
lO9. Yesterday we saw and conversed with |
the little fellow, a sprightly, intelligent look
ing mulatto lad, eleven years Of age, The |
little fellow was not aware that he was |
bought until the time arrived for him to start I
For fear of raising an excitement among the |
hands, all knowledge Oftheir destiny was care
fully concealed from them until the time ar
rives for their departure. The agent of Mr.. |
Napier put him in charge of the Adams EX-
press Company, who delivered him safely to |
bis parents in this city. He started from
Staunton at O'clock A. NJ, 1lth July, and |
landed in Columbus on the ll:lO P NJ train |
on the 18th over the Baltimore and Ohio
and Central Ohio Railroad.
He has yet remaining in slavery three
children, two girls, aged fifteen and eighteen
years respectively, and boy aged thirteen
years. The mother, together with all the
children, were owned by Mrs Crawford, a
widow lady, also living near Stanton. Cor
nelius, the boy lately arrived, when pur-
chased, was the property Of a. Mr.. Bell, SON
in-law Of Mrs. Crawford. Mr. Napier is
still in hopes of lrescuing the balance Of his
interesting family from servitude. Columbus
State Journal @