The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-01-23
THE STORY OF A SLAVES LIFE.


The Common Pleas Court Of Phila-
lelphla reiefrel to lawyer Jerome V.
Ma,tcrson for audit mn account In the
estate Of Mrs. Henrietta r. Daniels,
colored, in which several extraordinary
legal questions have arisen. Mrs.
Daniels died IN Philadelphia few
months ago and left $50 900 worth Of
property that is claimed by M army of
her own and her husbands collateral
heirs. The case is in many respects re-
marknhls, and the proceedings are
watched with great interest b5 members
of the bar and friends of the dead wo-
man as well as by those who expect to
reteisb shares of the estate. Mrs.
Daniels, whose maiden iiaire vrs Rob
inson, was born near Charleston, S. G.,
and was one of the many slaves of An
drew p. Dwight, wealthy planter.
When Henrietta was l2 years OF age her
master sent Her us Il Christmas prcsentto
his sister, Mrs. Fraily, Of Charleston.
Mrs. Fraily, however, had no use for the
girl and wanted to send her back. Mr.,
Dwight then said lie had too many use
lebs sln-es "Hout his house. and asked
his sister to hire the girl 10 some one
who could pay well for her services.
Henrietta was rented to Mrs. Fumess,
dress-maker, and III few years later
Mr. Dwight was receiving $40 month
from the dress-maker for the services Of
his slave. In six years Henrietta saved
enough money over and above her
wages to buy, for 5000, her mother, who
still lived on Mr.. Dwight's plantation.
When the last Of the money was paid
Dwight refused TO allow the old woman
to join her daughter in Charleston, say
ing that it was enough for her to know
that she was free, nor would he refund
the purchase money. Mrs. Furness
heard the story, bought Henrietta from
Dwight at $500, and then brought
suit TO compel him to either give the old
woman her freedom or return the $500
paid for her. Dwight won the suit, the
court holding that Henrietta's earnings
were as much his property rs she was.
The old woman went back into slavery
and died Henrietta then bought her
own freedom, Mrs. Fmness allowing her
to put in her wages us partial payment
After purchasing her freedom she mar
ried Asa Daniels, blacksmith, and five
years later she bought him ont of slav-
cry, paying 81, 600. In about 15 years
this woman had bought her mother, her.
self, and her husband Daniels. She
wanted to come North at once. but Mrs
Fnrness, who had n gSeat affection for
Henrietta, induced her to remain in
Charleston until Daniels had found en-
ployment in one of the Northern cities.
Dauiels came to Philadelphia aud found
work in a blacksmith shop which he
aferward owned. A few months later
Mrs. Furness was taken sick and died,
but not before she had given Henrietta
SIC, 900 in bank notes IA n reward for
her iaithiulness. She also bequeathed
10 her n house III Charleston, but as col
lateral heirs of the dead woman con-
tested the will, Mrs. Daniels came North
to join her husband.
Shortly after Mrs. Daniels left Charles
ton il was discovered that few days
before her death Mrs. Furness had
drouu G1O OOO from, n hank Tbn
money! conlJ ncitbor Ina fonnd NOR oc.
connfeJ for ME- nssumntion WAS that
Mrs DanisIs hal stolen 4 and nt,icars
sat - On, IN nnrsnit og bo, In R,ohmonJ
Mra nanicls harmed That sho wos he;no
LnnteJ She socreted herself therc fnr S
several weeks and was finally brought to
| philalplDhin by nm aren't of the Under.
ground railroad, All this time she had
in her possession Mrs. Furness's writer
Acknowledgement of the gift of money
but previous experience made Henriett,
dread the decisions of the Charleston
courts. Upon her arrival hero she en-.
gagged n LAWYER. who mt once notified the
IN M tbe coso and thern tbe mattar erdnJ
Mr. and Mrs DonieIs hom"ht hnuon