slave, and the
character of her master; she told not only of his ill treatment of her,
but described his physical appearance as well. "He was a spare-made man,
with a red head and quick temper: he would go off in a flurry like a
flash of powder, and would behave shamefully towards the slaves when in
these fits of passion." His wife, however, Caroline confessed was of a
different temper, and was a pretty good kind of a woman. If he had been
anything like his wife in disposition, most likely Caroline would have
remained in bondage. Fortunately, Caroline was a single woman. She left
her mother.

Levin Holden, having been sold only a few weeks prior to his escape, was
so affected by the change which awaited him, that he was irresistibly
led to seek the Underground Rail Road. Previous to being sold he was
under a master by the name of Jonathan Bailey, who followed farming in
the neighborhood of Laurel, Delaware, and, as a master, was considered a
moderate man--was also well to do in the world; but the new master he
could not endure, as he had already let the secret out that Levin was to
be sent South. Levin had a perfect horror of a more Southern latitude;
he made up his mind that he would try his luck for Canada. Levin was a
man of twenty-seven years of age, smart, dark color, and of a good size
for all sorts of work.

William James Conner, his wife, child, and four brothers came next. The
brothers were hale-looking fellows, and would have commanded high prices
in any market South of Mason and Dixon's Line. It was said, that they
were the property of Kendall Major Lewis, who lived near Laurel,
Delaware. It was known, however, that he never had any deed from the
Almighty, but oppressed them without any just right so to do; they were
perfectly justifiable in leaving Kendall Major Lewis, and all his
sympathizers, to take care of themselves as best they could.

No very serious charges were made against Lewis, but on the contrary
they said, that he had been looked upon as a "moderate slave-holder;"
they also said, that "he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church for fifty years, and stood high in that body." Furthermore they
stated, that he sold slaves occasionally. Eight had been sold by him
some time before this party escaped (two of them to Georgia); besides
William James had been sold and barely found opportunity to escape. Wm.
James, Major Lewis, Dennis Betts, Peter, and Lazarus, with the wife and
ch