Aiding Harriet Shephard to freedom- 1855

Harriet Shephard & 10 Others 1855 Path to Freedom brought them to Barnard Station, home of Eusebius & Sarah Barnard

Page from William Still's “The Underground Railroad Records”

Excerpt from TUBMAN TALES: The Other Harriet’s Wild Ride to Freedom. "Harriet Shephard’s ride was a remarkable affair, even by the remarkable standards of the Underground Railroad. Not many women led their own escapes in the manner of Harriet Tubman, but Harriet Shephard was in that number. And there might not be any other cases where that woman was the mother of five, with all of her children in tow."

Here is the telling of this story from the writings of William Still in his book "The Underground Railroad Records" and letters from GraceAnna Lewis from her to family's Sunnyside Farm in Kimberton, an UGRR Station.

William Still writes "One morning about the first of November, in 1855, the sleepy, slave-holding neighborhood of Chestertown, Maryland, was doubtless deeply excited on learning that eleven head of slaves, four head of horses, and two carriages were missing. It is but reasonable to suppose that the first report must have produced a shock, scarcely less stunning than an earthquake. Abolitionists, emissaries, and incendiaries were farther below par than ever. It may be supposed that cursings and threatenings were breathed out by a deeply agitated community for days in succession.
Harriet Shephard, the mother of five children, for whom she felt of course a mother's love, could not bear the thought of having her offspring compelled to wear the miserable yoke of Slavery, as she had been compelled to do. By her own personal experience, Harriet could very well judge what their fate would be when reaching man and womanhood. She declared that she had never received "kind treatment." It was not on this account, however, that she was prompted to escape. She was actuated by a more disinterested motive than this. She was chiefly induced to make the bold effort to save her children from having to drag the chains of Slavery as she herself had done.

Anna Maria, Edwin, Eliza Jane, Mary Ann, and John Henry were the names of the children for whom she was willing to make any sacrifice. They were young; and some unable to walk, and she was penniless, and unable to hire a conveyance, even if she had known any one who would have been willing to risk the law in taking them a night's journey. So there was no hope in these directions. Her rude intellect being considered, she was entitled to a great deal of credit for seizing the horses and carriages belonging to her master, as she did it for the liberation of her children. Knowing others at the same time, who were wanting to visit Canada, she consulted with five of this class, males and females, and they mutually decided to travel together.

It is not likely that they knew much about the roads, nevertheless they reached Wilmington, Delaware, pretty direct, and ventured up into the heart of the town in carriages, looking as innocent as if they were going to meeting to hear an old-fashioned Southern sermon—"Servants, obey your masters." Of course, the distinguished travelers were immediately reported to the noted Thomas Garrett, who was accustomed to transact the affairs of the Underground Rail Road in a cool masterly way. But, on this occasion, there was but little time for deliberation, but much need of haste to meet the emergency. He at once decided, that they must immediately be separated from the horses and carriages, and got out of Wilmington as quickly as possible. With the courage and skill, so characteristic of Garrett, the fugitives, under escort, were soon on their way to Kennett Square (a hot-bed of abolitionists and stock-holders of the Underground Rail Road), which place they reached safely. It so happened, that they reached Long Wood meeting-house in the evening, at which place a fair circle had convened. Being invited, they stayed awhile in the meeting, then, after remaining all night with one of the Kennett friends (this was Eusebius and Sarah Barnard's house), they were brought to Downingtown early in the morning and thence, by daylight, within a short distance of Kimberton, and found succor with friend Lewis (this was Graceanna Lewis), at the old headquarters of the fugitives.

After receiving friendly aid and advice while there, they were forwarded to the Committee in Philadelphia. Here further aid was afforded them, and as danger was quite obvious, they were completely divided and disguised, so that the Committee felt that they might safely be sent on to Canada in one of the regular trains considered most private.
Considering the condition of the slave mother and her children and friends, all concerned rejoiced, that they had had the courage to use their master's horses and vehicles as they did."

Graceanna Lewis in Kimberton. writes to William Still, "We have separated the company for the present, sending a mother and five children, two of them quite small, in one direction, and a husband and wife (believed to be Harriet's brother John Bright and his wife Lavinia) and three lads (@ 16 or 17 year olds Thomas Jervis Gooseberry and William Thomas Freeman. A third male was in the party but nothing is known of him or his fate) in another, until I could write to you and get advice if you have any to give, as to the best method of forwarding them, and assistance pecuniarily, in getting them to Canada. The mother and children we have sent off of the usual route, and to a place where I do not think they can remain many days.

Fortunately, Sydney Howard Gay’s Record of Fugitives book records their arrival in NY.

Unfortunately, we have not found written proof of Harriet and her children entering Canada. However, there is mention of a John Henry Shephard in Canada and we are in touch with his Great Granddaughter hoping to prove they are a successful part of the story of Harriet & her youngest child John Henry reaching Canada.

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