The Underground Railroad
Emanuel T. White
EMANUEL was about twenty-five years of age, with seven-eighths of white blood in his veins, medium size, and a very smart and likely-looking piece of property generally. He had the good fortune to escape from Edward H. Hubbert, a ship timber merchant of Norfolk, Va. Under Hubbert’s yoke he had served only five years, having been bought by him from a certain Aldridge Mandrey, who was described as a “very cruel man,” and would “rather fight than eat.” “I have licks that will carry me to my grave, and will be there till the flesh rots off my bones,” said Emanuel, adding that his master was a “devil,” though a member of the Reformed Methodist Church. But his mistress, he said, was a “right nice little woman, and kept many licks off me.” “If you said you were sick, he would whip it out of you.” From Mandrey he once fled, and was gone two months, but was captured at Williamsburg, Va., and received a severe flogging, and carried home. Hubbert finally sold Emanuel to a Mr. Grigway of Norfolk; with Emanuel Mr. G. was pretty well suited, but his wife was not—he had “too much white blood in him” for her. Grigway and his wife were members of the Episcopal Church.
In this unhappy condition Emanuel found a conductor of the Underground Rail Road. A secret passage was secured for him on one of the Richmond steamers, and thus he escaped from his servitude. The Committee attended to his wants, and forwarded him on as usual. From Syracuse, where he was breathing quite freely under the protection of the Rev. J.W. Loguen, he wrote the following letter:
SYRACUSE, July 29, 1857.
MY DEAR FRIEND, MR. STILL:—I got safe through to Syracuse, and found the house of our friend, Mr. J.W. Loguen. Many thanks to you for your kindness to me. I wish to say to you, dear sir, that I expect my clothes will be sent to Dr. Landa, and I wish, if you please, get them and send them to the care of Mr. Loguen, at Syracuse, for me He will be in possession of my whereabouts and will send them to me. Remember me to Mr. Landa and Miss Millen Jespan, and much to you and your family.
Truly Yours,
MANUAL T. WHITE.