Record #164 from Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad

Traveler's Names	Peter Derrickson and Charles Purnell
Age	24 and 26
Description	"Both were able-bodied young men"
Alias	–
Origin- Town/City	Berlin
Origin- County	Worcester
Origin- State	Maryland
Destination	Canada
Birthplace	–
Slaveowner's Name	John Dirickson
Chapter Title	Sundry Arrivals About January First, 1855
Page Number	309-310
Other Travelers	Charles Purnell
Other Conductors	–
Additional Names	–
Method of Travel	–
Additional Resources	–
Items in Possession	–
Full Narrative	On the same day (January 1st), Peter Derrickson and Charles Purnell arrived from Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland. Both were able-bodied young men, twenty-four and twenty-six years of age, just the kind that a trader, or an experienced slave-holder in the farming business, would be most likely to select for doing full days' work in the field, or for bringing high prices in the market. Peter toiled and toiled, with twenty others, on John Derrickson's farm. And although Derrickson was said to be a "mild master," Peter decidedly objected to working for him for nothing. He thought over his situation a great deal, and finally came to the conclusion, that he must get from under the yoke, if possible, before entering another New Year. His friend Charles he felt could be confided in, therefore he made up his mind, that he would broach the question of Canada and the Underground Rail Road to him. Charles was equally ready and willing to enter into any practical arrangements by which he could get rid of his no-pay task-master, and be landed safely in Canada. After taking into account the dangers likely to attend such a struggle, they concluded that they would risk all and try their luck, as many had done before them. "What made you leave, Charles?" said a member of the Committee. "I left because I wanted my time and money for myself." No one could gainsay such a plain common-sense answer as that. The fact, that he had to leave his parents, three brothers, and five sisters, all in slavery, brought sad reflections.

If you are citing this record, please use the following format:

[Author (if known)], Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad, [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

Prev. Record in Source

About Abstracts from William Still's Underground Railroad

Print Record

Original Unavailable