The Underground Sailboat: Delmarva Water Routes to Freedom by Samuel Ogaitis

John Hillis' Enslavement

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 12:37:56 UTC

East New Market, PA, USA: "The widow [Ms. Louisa LeCount] heard John's plausible story, and saw nothing amiss in it, so she consented that he should work on a schooner. The name of the craft was Majestic." -Still, pg. 500

John Hillis' Freedom

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 12:38:53 UTC

Philadelphia, PA, USA: "On arriving John's eyes were opened to see that he owed Mrs. Le Count nothing, but that she was largely indebted to him for years of unrequited toil ; he could not, therefore, consent to go back to her."
-Still, pg. 500

Tip of Delmarva

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 12:40:45 UTC

Stebney Swan, et. al.

Lear Green (1857) and William Peel Jones (1859) Enslavement

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 12:46:45 UTC

Baltimore, MD, USA. “he was boxed up in Baltimore by the friend who received him at the wharf, who did not come in the boat with him” -Still, pg. 46.

Image by collections.digitalmaryland.org

Atlantic Ocean

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 12:58:09 UTC

Stebney Swan et. al

Anthony Blow Enslavement

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:00:41 UTC

Richmond, VA, USA: Climbed aboard a steamship bound for Philadelphia. “A friend named Minkins, employed on the steamship City of Richmond, would undertake to conceal him on the boat” -Still, pg. 63

Anthony Blow Freedom

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:01:41 UTC

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Enslavement: Thomas and Mary Ann Sipple, Henry and Elizabeth Burkett, John Purnell, Hale Burton

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:04:56 UTC

Purchased a small bateau boat for six dollars in Kunkletown (Worcester County, MD, USA).

Delaware Bay

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:07:13 UTC

Bateau Group: Were assaulted by a boat full of slave catchers. Beat them and forced their retreat, no casualties, some injuries. “John received two shot in the forehead, but was not dangerously hurt” -Still, pg. 528

Image by New York Public Library Digital Collection

Bateau Group: Thomas Sipple (et. al) Destination

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:11:41 UTC

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Delaware River

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 13:58:50 UTC

Skiff Group

Tip of Delmarva

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:01:38 UTC

John Hillis "was doubly happy when he learned that the "Majestic" was to make a trip to Philadelphia" -Still, pg. 500

Atlantic Ocean

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:02:16 UTC

Anthony Blow

Delaware River

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:02:44 UTC

Bateau Group

Delaware River

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:02:54 UTC

Anthony Blow

Enslavement: Jim Taylor

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:08:34 UTC

Born 1847, St. Michael's Island. “My mother and father both were owned by a Mr. Davis of St. Michaels who had several tugs and small boats. In the summer, the small boats were used to haul produce while the tug were used for towing coal and lumber on the Chesapeake Bay and the small rivers on the Eastern Shore. Mr. Davis brought able-bodied colored men for service on the boats. They were sail boats.”

-Slave Narrative Project. LoC, Vol 8, Pg. 64
https://www.loc.gov/resource/mesn.080/?sp=66&st=image&r=-0.352,0.161,1.678,0.82,0

Havre De Grace

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:09:44 UTC

Stole the Tugboat when the captain was not looking. “Mr. Tuttle, the captain of the tug, did not sleep on the boat that night, but went to a cock fight. The colored men decided to escape and go to Pennsylvania. (I was a small boy)." - Slave Narratives, Vol 8, Pg. 63

Elk River/Elk Creek

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:11:03 UTC

Disembark and travel on foot along Harriet Tubman path. "They ran the tug across the bay to Elk Creek, and upon arriving there beached the tug on the North side, followed a stream that Harriet Tubman had told them about” -Slave Narratives, Vol 8, pg. 63

Chester, PA, USA

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:13:04 UTC

Jim Taylor: Encountered several abolitionist White men in town. “There were several white men in Chester who were very much interested in colored people, they gave us money to go to Philadelphia.”

-Slave Narratives, Vol 8, Pg. 64

Jim Taylor Destination/Freedom

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:16:24 UTC

"After arriving in Philadelphia, we went to Allen's mission, a colored church that helped escaping slaves. I stayed in Philadelphia until I was about 19 years old, then all the colored people were free"
-Library of Congress, Slave Narratives, 1937
https://www.loc.gov/resource/mesn.080/?sp=67&st=image&r=-0.278,0.426,1.461,0.714,0

Enslavement: Stebney Swan et al.

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:41:38 UTC

Portsmouth, VA, USA: Stebney Swan and John Stinger enslaved for Oysterman Joseph Carter. Anthony Pugh, Isabella, and Robert Emerson enslaved nearby. Free white Capt. Robert Lee sails his skiff with these slaves hidden in them

Delaware Bay

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:55:39 UTC

Skiff group: “they were discovered by the Captain of an oyster boat whose sense of humanity was so strongly appealed to by their appearance that he was engaged to pilot them to Philadelphia”

-Still, pg. 482

Enslavement: Skiff group: William Thomas Cope et al.

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:58:34 UTC

Lewes, DE, USA: William Thomas Cope, John Boice Grey, Henry Boice, Isaac White, sailed Skiff from Lewes DE to Jersey Shore. " The land route presented less encouragement than by water". “Having lived all their lives not far from the bay, they had some knowledge of small boats, skiffs in particular”
-Still, pgs. 481-82

Image by pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca

New Jersey, USA

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:59:00 UTC

Skiff Group

Philadelphia, PA, USA

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 14:59:41 UTC

Skiff Group

Delaware River

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 15:00:40 UTC

Capt. Fountain et al.

Tip of Delmarva

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 15:06:16 UTC

Anthony Blow

Atlantic Ocean

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 15:07:05 UTC

Captain Fountain, et al.

Philadelphia, PA, USA

samuelcogaitis — 2022-07-01 15:10:34 UTC

Destination for Stebney Swan et. al. and Captain Robert Lee. Lee was later “suspected, arrested, tried, convicted, and torn away from his wife and two little children, and sent to the Richmond Penitentiary for twenty-five years”. -Still, pg 112

New Jersey Coast, Near Cape May Lighthouse

samogaitis — 2022-08-01 16:07:42 UTC

Bateau group encounter friendly local osterman, who offers to take them to Philadelphia for 25 dollars. They accept, and pay him. -Still, pg. 529

Bateau Group: Elmira, NY, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-01 16:36:38 UTC

From Philadelphia, they were "forwarded to John W. Jones, Underground Rail Road agent, at Elmira". The following letter from Jones on their arrival was received in Philadelphia: "ELMIRA, June 6th, 1860. FRIEND Wsr. STILL : All six came safe to this place. The two men came last night, about twelve o'clock ; the man and woman stopped at the depot, and went east on the next train, about eighteen miles, and did not get back till to-night, so that the two men went this morning, and the four went this evening. 0, old master don't cry for me, For I am going to Canada where colored men are free."
-William Still, https://enduringconnections.salisbury.edu/r/abstracts_from_stills_underground_railroad/160

Thomas Sipple, Frontenac County, ON, Canada

samogaitis — 2022-08-01 16:53:47 UTC

29 years old. Described as a single "Colored" laborer from the United States (Canadian 1861 Census), https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1861&op=img&id=4391549_00227

John Purnell, St James Ave, Toronto, ON, Canada

samogaitis — 2022-08-01 17:01:55 UTC

48 years old. Described as a married Mulatto laborer from the United States (Canadian 1861 Census), https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1861&op=img&id=4391541_01226

Elizabeth Burkett, Hastings, ON, Canada

samogaitis — 2022-08-01 17:16:49 UTC

Described only as female, born in U.S., age 23 (Canadian 1861 Census), https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1861&op=img&id=4108078_00380

Isaac White: Philadelphia, PA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-04 17:39:40 UTC

Resided in Philadelphia by 1860 and 1870 US Census records: https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/1:1:MZRC-PZ4?cid=fs_copy

https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/1:1:MXR3-CLM?cid=fs_copy

Gallipolis, OH, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-04 17:57:03 UTC

John Boice Grey, 1870 US Census:

https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/1:1:M627-SXZ?cid=fs_copy

John Boice Grey: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-04 18:05:40 UTC

Railroad connection from Philadelphia to Gallipolis, Ohio:

https://railroads.unl.edu/documents/view_document.php?id=rail.str.0243

Isabella Pugh: New Bedford, MA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-04 19:08:30 UTC

1870 US Census records Isabella Pugh in Massachussetts, listed as Black, born in Virginia, and 37 years old.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/1:1:MDSL-KXH?cid=fs_copy

John Hillis (Hollis): Elmira, NY, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-07 14:43:44 UTC

Listed in 1870 US Census as a 41 year old Black Male, born in Maryland (30 y/o when escaped). Listed as having spouse/partner Mary.

https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/24128933:7163?_phsrc=xvB12&_phstart=successSource&gsfn=John&gsln=Hillis&ml_rpos=1&queryId=a3bbc3d63770c7761a2f8dd71a3fbbb6

Jim Taylor Post-Slavery: Talbot County, MD, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-07 15:27:27 UTC

Returned to Talbot County after national abolition. Resided in Talbot until 1904. 1880 US Census lists Jim Tayler (Black Male, born Maryland 1848) living in Centreville, nearby Queen Anne's County. Possible mislabeling.

https://www.ancestryheritagequest.com/discoveryui-content/view/27595626:6742?_phsrc=xvB36&_phstart=successSource&gsfn=Jim&gsln=Taylor&ml_rpos=1&queryId=14835858cad4b503d13c6cce3e780566

Jim Taylor Residence: 1904-1937: 424 East 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-07 15:38:04 UTC

"I secured a job with James Hitchens, a colored man, who had six furniture vans drawn by two horses each". "I am, and have been a member of North Street Baptist Church for thirty-three years. I am the father of nine children, have been married twice and a grandfather of twenty-three grandaughters and grandsons, and forty-five great-grandchildren."

William Peel: Albany, NY, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 16:54:12 UTC

" ' Mr. Still, I take this opportunity of writing a few lines to you hoping that tha may find you in good health and femaly. i am well at present and doing well at present i am now in a store and getting sixteen dollars a month at the present. i feel very much o blige to you and your family for your kindness while i was with you i have got a long without any trub al at al. i am now in albany City' "
-Letter from William Peel Jones to William Still (UGRR agent) in Philadelphia
-Still, pg. 47

Lear Green (1857) William Peel Jones (1859), Philadelphia, PA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 17:02:18 UTC

)"Finally, however, he arrived at Philadelphia, on a steamer, Sabbath morning"

"The trial in the box lasted just seventeen hours before victory was achieved. Jones was well cared for by the Vigilance Committee and sent on his way rejoicing, feeling that Resolution, Underground Rail Road, and Liberty were invaluable."

-Still, pg. 47

Delaware River

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 17:02:38 UTC

Stebney Swan et al.

Lear Green (1857) and William Peel Jones (1859) Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 17:17:28 UTC

If the journey did take 17 hours (as reported by William Still), he could not have sailed around Delmarva. It must have been through the canal:
"The Ericsson steamboats left Baltimore at three in the afternoon that year, made stops along the way, and arrived in Philadelphia fifteen hours later. On the other hand, if the steamboats out of Baltimore rounded Cape Charles to enter the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay to reach Philadelphia, the vessel would travel 392 nautical miles. For an eighteen hour non-stop trip by a fully laden 1850s bay steamer, that would require sustaining a physically impossible speed of nearly twenty-two nautical miles an hour. If the ship traveled at the average speed of twelve miles per hour, without stops, the trip would have taken more than thirty-two hours."

-http://mdiggins.com/blog-freedom-seekers-and-freedom-stealers-along-the-mason-dixon-line/escaping-out-of-baltimore-on-the-ericsson-line

Lear Green: Elmira, NY, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 17:25:21 UTC

Settled in Elmira and married her fiance Henry Adams.

William Still, The Underground Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narrative, Letters …. [Philadelphia: Porter & Coates, 1872], 281-284; Reward ad, Baltimore Sun, June 1, 1857.

http://mdiggins.com/blog-freedom-seekers-and-freedom-stealers-along-the-mason-dixon-line/escaping-out-of-baltimore-on-the-ericsson-line

William Peel Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada

samogaitis — 2022-08-10 17:37:59 UTC

Appears on Canadian 1871 Census as a 37 year old man from the United States (now married with kids).

https://central.bac-lac.gc.ca/.item/?app=Census1871&op=img&id=4396273_00078

Captain Alfred Fountain and the 21 Slave Passengers, Norfolk, VA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-11 16:24:57 UTC

1855: "The way is now clear to present Captain F. with his Schooner lying at the wharf in Norfolk, loading with wheat, and at the same time with twenty-one fugitives secreted therein" -Still, 166

While at the wharf, William Lamb (the Mayor of Norfolk) and several police officers searched the schooner with spears and axes, yet found no slaves and left.

-https://encyclopediavirginia.org/10015hpr-3618f3840779628/

https://www.visitnorfolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/VISIT-21993-WaterwaysFreedomREPRINT-2.pdf

Tip of Delmarva

samogaitis — 2022-08-11 16:25:47 UTC

Capt. Alfred Fountain et al: "And the Captain steered direct for the City of Brotherly Love" -Still, pg. 167

Passenger list according to William Still: Alan Tatum, Daniel Carr, Michael Vaughn, Thomas Nixon, Frederick Nixon, Peter Petty, Nathanael Gardener, John Brown, Thomas Freeman, James Foster, Godfrey Scott, Willis Wilson, Nancy Little, John Smith, Francis Haines, David Johnson, Phillis Gault, Alice Jones, Ned Wilson, and Sarah C. Wilson (and one other unnamed passenger who died of sickness soon into the voyage).

Atlantic Ocean

samogaitis — 2022-08-11 16:32:28 UTC

John Hillis

Delaware River

samogaitis — 2022-08-11 16:33:24 UTC

John Hillis

Captain Alfred Fountain et al: Philadelphia, PA, USA

samogaitis — 2022-08-11 16:35:58 UTC

"The wind of heaven favoring the good cause, he arrived safely in due time, and delivered his precious freight in the vicinity of Philadelphia within the reach of the Vigilance Committee" -Still, 168

Initial Escape: Jack Alexander

samuelcogaitis — 2025-07-17 18:29:36 UTC

Record of escape from Sloop Jolly Miller and intent to board an outbound ship from Baltimore

https://www.mdhistory.org/resources/50-reward-for-jack/

Baltimore, MD, USA

samuelcogaitis — 2025-07-17 18:52:08 UTC

https://www.mdhistory.org/resources/baltimore-inner-harbor-from-federal-hill/