Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Stories

All Stories

Lizzie and Nat Ambie: Agents of Their Own Liberation

By Bria Cooper October 27, 2024
Loading...

Related Records

Record #19

Traveler's Names Nat Amby
Age
Alias
Origin- Town/City Cambridge
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name John Muir

All Fields in This Record

Traveler's Names Nat Amby
Age
Description Full black and about 6 feet high ; of powerful physical pro-
portions, and of more than ordinary intellectual capacities. Slight impediment, large scar on the neck
Alias
Origin- Town/City Cambridge
Origin- County Dorchester
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name John Muir
Chapter Title The Arrivals of a Single Month
Page Number 103-104
Other Travelers Daniel Stanly, Nat Amby, John Scott, Hannah Peters, Henrietta Dobson, Elizabeth Amby, Josiah Stanly, Caroline Stanley, Daniel Stanley, Jr, John Stanley, Miller Stanly
Other Conductors
Additional Names
Method of Travel
Additional Resources The following advertisement from The Cambridge Democrat of Nov. 4,
speaks for itself ?
$300 REWARD. ? Ran away from the subscriber, on Saturday night last, 17th inst., my negro woman Lizzie, about 28 years old. She is medium sized, dark complexion, good-looking, with rather a down look. When spoken to, replies quickly. She was well dressed, wearing a red and green blanket shawl, and carried with her a variety of clothing. She ran off in company with her husband, Nat Amby (belonging to John Muir, Esq.), who is about 6 feet in height, with slight impediment in his speech, dark chestnut color, and a large scar on the side of his neck. I will give the above reward if taken in this County, or one-half of what she sells for if
taken out of the County or State. In either case to be lodged in Cambridge Jail.
Cambridge, Oct. 21, 1857. ALEXANDER H. BAYLY.
P. S.? For the apprehension of the above-named negro man Nat, and delivery in Cambridge Jail, I will give $500 reward. JOHN Mum.
Items in Possession good pistol and a big knife
Full Narrative Nat is no ordinary man. Like a certain other Nat known to history, his honest and independent bearing in every respect was that of a natural hero. He was full black, and about six feet high ; of powerful physical proportions, and of more than ordinary intellectual capacities. With the strongest desire to make the Port of Canada safely, he had resolved to be " carried back," if attacked by the slave hunters, " only as a dead man." He was held to service by John Muir, a wealthy farmer, and the owner of 40 or 50 slaves. " Muir would drink and was generally devilish." Two of Nat's sisters and one of his brothers had been "sold away to Georgia by him." Therefore, admonished by threats and fears of having to pass through the same fiery furnace, Nat was led to consider the U. G. R. R. scheme. It was through the marriage of Nat's mistress to his present owner that he came into Muir's hands. " Up to the time of her death," he had been encouraged to "hope" that he would be " free;"indeed, he was assured by her" dying testimony that the slaves were not to be sold." But regardless of the promises and will of his departed wife, Muir soon extinguished all hopes of freedom from that quarter. But not believing that God had put one man here to "be the servant of another ? to work," and get none of the benefit of his labor, Nat armed himself with a good pistol and a big knife, and taking his wife with him, bade adieu forever to bondage. Observing that Lizzie (Nat's wife) looked pretty decided and resolute, a member of the committee
remarked, "Would your wife fight for freedom?" "I have heard her say she would wade through blood and tears for her freedom," said Nat, in the most serious mood. AUBURN, June 10th, 1858.
MR. WILLIAM STILL : ? Sir, will you be so Kind as to write a letter to affey White in straw berry alley in Baltimore city on the point Say to her at nat Ambey that I wish to Know from her the Last Letar that Joseph Ambie and Henry Ambie two Brothers and Ann Warfield a couisin of them two boys I state above I would like to hear from my mother sichy Ambie you will Please write to my mother and tell her that I am well and doing well and state to her that I perform my Relissius dutys and I would like to hear from her and want to know if she is performing her Relissius dutys yet and send me word from all her children I left behind say to affey White that I wish her to write me a Letter in Hast my wife is well and doing well and my nephew is doing well Please teli affey White when she writes to me to Let me know where Joseph and Henry Ambie is
Mr. Still Please Look on your Book and you will find my name on your Book They
was eleven of us children and all when we came through and I feal interrested about my Brothers I have never heard from them since I Left home you will Please Be Kind
annough to attend to this Letter When you send the answer to this Letter you will
Please send it to P. R. Freeman Auburn City Cayuga County New York
Yours Truly NAT AMBIE.

Record #24

Traveler's Names Elizabeth Amby
Age 28
Alias Lizzie
Origin- Town/City Cambridge
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name

All Fields in This Record

Traveler's Names Elizabeth Amby
Age 28
Description medium sized, dark complexion , good-looking, with a down look
Alias Lizzie
Origin- Town/City Cambridge
Origin- County Dorchester
Origin- State Maryland
Destination Canada
Birthplace
Slaveowner's Name
Chapter Title The Arrivals of a Single Month
Page Number 103-104
Other Travelers Daniel Stanly, Nat Amby, John Scott, Hannah Peters, Henrietta Dobson, Elizabeth Amby, Josiah Stanly, Caroline Stanley, Daniel Stanley, Jr, John Stanley, Miller Stanly
Other Conductors
Additional Names
Method of Travel
Additional Resources The following advertisement from The Cambridge Democrat of Nov. 4, speaks for itself -- $300 Reward/--Ran away from the subscriber, on Saturday night lats 17th inst., my negro woman Lizzie, about 28 years old. She is medium sized, dark complexion, good-looking with rather a down look. When spoken to, replies quickly. She was well dressed, wearing a red and green blanket shawl, and carried with her a variey of clothing. She ran off in company with her husband, Nat Amby (blonging to John Muir, Esq. ), whi is about 6 feet in heitht with slight impediment in his speech, dark chestnut color, and a large scar on the side of his neck. I will the above reward if taken in this county, or one-half of what she sells for if taken out of the Conty or State. In either case to be lodged in Cambridge Jail. Cambridge, Oct. 21 1857 Alexander H. Bayly P.S. -- For the apprehension of th e above-named negro man Nat and delivery in Cambridge Jail, I will give $500 reward John MUir
Items in Possession
Full Narrative
Click on a field to move that field into top summary row for all records in this source.

Record #516

Ad Date 18571021
Fugitive First Name Lizzie
Fugitive Surname
Owner County Dorchester
Owner First Name Alexander
Owner Surname Bayly
Details Ad Duration: 3t Fugitive Caste: enslaved Notes: $300 reward if taken in county, or one half of wh…

All Fields in This Record

Ad Date 18571021
County Dorchester
Fugitive Age 28
Fugitive Date of Birth
Fugitive First Name Lizzie
Fugitive Gender F
Fugitive Surname
Owner County Dorchester
Owner First Name Alexander
Owner Surname Bayly
Owner Location Cambridge
Owner State Maryland
Press Date 18571021
Reward Amount 300
Run Date 18571017
Details Ad Duration: 3t
Fugitive Caste: enslaved
Notes: $300 reward if taken in county, or one half of what she sells for if taken out of County or State. To be lodged in Cambridge Jail.
Notes Departure: Ran off in company with her husband, Nat Amby (belonging to John Muir, Esq.)
Reward: Yes
Source: Cambridge Democrat
Source Page: 2
Type: run_ad

Record #517

Ad Date 18571021
Fugitive First Name Nat
Fugitive Surname Amby
Owner County Dorchester
Owner First Name John
Owner Surname Muir
Details Ad Duration: 3t Fugitive Caste: enslaved Notes: For apprehension and delivery to Cambridge Jail t…

All Fields in This Record

Ad Date 18571021
County Dorchester
Fugitive Age
Fugitive Date of Birth
Fugitive First Name Nat
Fugitive Gender M
Fugitive Surname Amby
Owner County Dorchester
Owner First Name John
Owner Surname Muir
Owner Location Cambridge
Owner State Maryland
Press Date 18571021
Reward Amount 500
Run Date 18571017
Details Ad Duration: 3t
Fugitive Caste: enslaved
Notes: For apprehension and delivery to Cambridge Jail the reward amount will be given.
Notes Departure: Ran off with his wife, Lizzie (belonging to Alexander H. Bayly)
Reward: Yes
Source: Cambridge Democrat
Source Page: 2
Type: run_ad
Click on a field to move that field into top summary row for all records in this source.