Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-11-12
PATTY CANNON.
A monument to be erected to
her memory.
STRANGE LIFE FIFTY ENDING IN SUI
eide, AND A BURIAL IN A NEGLECT
ED CORNER OF THE PRISON
YARD AT GEoPeEToWN.

A movement has been started 10
Georgetown to solicit subscriptions for a
monument TO be erected over the grave
of Patty Cannon, It is got to be built
for the perpetualiou of any virtue, but
on the contrary. it is to be erected so
that the burial place Of one of the most
remarkable, aud at tie same time the
most blood-thirsty women OF her age,
may not be entirely obliterated. She
has been dead about forty eight years,
and although the Peninsula was the
scene of operations for herself and fami-
ly. she is now almost forgotten except,
perhaps. by few OF the older heads.-
In her was found the strange and ex-
ceediDgly rare combination Of relentless
ferocity aud that gentltness observed
only 10 female character Patty came
TO this State from the North with two
sisters, Jane and Betsey. 10 1920. They
we're Of Irish extraction of the family of
Hauley. They settled at Johuson's
Cross Roads, about Eve miles from Sea-
ford, choosing this site because OF its
fitness for Patty's peculiar kind of bust
ness. There was much woodland, and
the islands 10 the rivers thereabout af-
forded means of escape aud concealment
in times Of danger. Patty was fe male
OF the Armenian order. and as 6ne a
specimen as could be found anywhere.
She was muscular. woman If great
strength. aud of a fine personal appear
auce. Intellectually her mind was q
blank. She did not know the alphabet;
but yet she was the leading spirit in the
colerip, and among them the honored
head.
She male the CROSS roads the centre Of
an extensive kidnapping trade. Her ennis
ssries worked 10 all quarters of the
North aud South. aud wherever they
could buy slave they bought him, and
where money failed they stole bin.
To barter for human life was her am
bitten, aud it was one thing she did we'll.
For kidnapping oegroes she had her own
tools Of the same color. Under some
pretense or acotber her slaves would de-
coy The unfortunate victim into an an
bush, where be would be ovorpowere6
and taken to The boats. She owned a
number Of small, swift ssilings vessels,
peculiarly fitted for navigation 10 shall
low water, and there are men now living
10 and about Seaford, who remember
these boats as they piled up and down
the Nanticoke from Cannon's Ferry.
The slaves SO kidnapped we're taken
to small island across from Twyford'
wharf. on the Nauticoke, aud there con
cealed until they could With safety, be
conveyed South for sale. This island
was covered with dense growth Of vel.
low pine. and it was in The heart of this
out. ofthe-way-place that the cap,ives
were taken, bound to huge staples driv-
en- in the trees, aud guard put over
them. Aside from the island depreda-
tons, murders in and around the cross
roads were frequent. Strangers disap.
peared suddenly. AID although suspi-
cioO pointed to Patty and her colleagues
none in the county around dared to
openly give speech to what they thought.
Patty . strange code of honor was pecu-
liar. Neither she tor her confederates
molee'ed the property of neighbors.-
Slaves of these families could come aud
60 with safety. aud Patty's uniform
kindness to them made her friends. =
Even now many acts of kindness are
told OF her, and these spots 10 career,
so spriukled with human blood, appear
bright aud refreshing, even though they
De somewhat colored BY tradition.
Actively associated with Patty we're
three relatives, as follows: Ebeuezer
johnson. Sr , EbeDezer johnson, Jr.,
and Joseph johnson. q son of tn, senior
Johnson. Or these she chose as lieu
tenant Ebeuezer Johnson. Sr > the ablest
and most successful william of the lot
lie was five feet four inches high, aud
the strongest man 10 the county. The
'wo operated together. Patty conceal
ing her identity by dressing 10 mems
clothing. The frst blow ct the partner
ship was sustained in fracas which took
place on farm occupied by the ivy
lord family. who we're related to Patty
by her sister Betsy's marriage. The
farm was sold under execution, end
bought by man named James Twilley.
Betsy would not recognize the sale and
would Dot move. Twilley had no re-
dress as the county authorities we're in
q