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

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Samuel Miles: Along the Underground

By Ian Post June 15, 2022
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Related Records

  • Record #692
    County
    Somerset
    Name
    Jones, Sarah Elizabeth
    Deed Executed By
    Document Date
    1855 Dec 12
    County
    Somerset
    Gender
    F
    Name
    Jones, Sarah Elizabeth
    Proof of Freedom
    BFW
    Deed Information
    Deed Executed By
    Height
    4' 11"
    Complexion
    Dark Chestnut
    Age
    19
    Document Date
    1855 Dec 12
    Citation
    CR 47,251-7
    Page
    PDF Page
    43
    Other Notes
    small scar a little below her right elbow and a small scar on her right wrist scarcely visible, her ears have been pierced
    State
    Maryland
  • Record #20
    County
    Somerset
    Seller
    Miles, Henry
    Buyer
    Ballard, Robert R
    Slave
    Levin $100 45 yo, Baltimore $300 22 yo, Sam $200 16 yo
    Year
    1842
    County
    Somerset
    Liber
    AH
    Folio
    189
    Seller
    Miles, Henry
    Buyer
    Ballard, Robert R
    Slave
    Levin $100 45 yo, Baltimore $300 22 yo, Sam $200 16 yo
    Additional Information (price, other items)
    $600 total
    Year
    1842
    Date
    4 Jun 1842
    Sold out of state or to possible slave dealer
    No
    State
    Maryland
  • Record #2504
    County
    Somerset
    Probate Date
    9/15/1829
    Name of Deceased
    William MIles
    Heirs
    Henry Miles - 3rd son
    Black Individuals Mentioned in Will
    to have Negro boy Baltimore and Negro boy Sam
    County
    Somerset
    Folio Number
    JP4:157
    Probate Date
    9/15/1829
    Name of Deceased
    William MIles
    Heirs
    Henry Miles - 3rd son
    Black Individuals Mentioned in Will
    to have Negro boy Baltimore and Negro boy Sam
  • Record #2512
    County
    Somerset
    Probate Date
    10/13/1829
    Name of Deceased
    William Jones, Sr.
    Heirs
    Eleanor Jones - wife
    Black Individuals Mentioned in Will
    to have the following Negroes: Messa, Israel, --,my gardiner and his wife Teresa, Negro woman Ca…
    County
    Somerset
    Folio Number
    JP4:159
    Probate Date
    10/13/1829
    Name of Deceased
    William Jones, Sr.
    Heirs
    Eleanor Jones - wife
    Black Individuals Mentioned in Will
    to have the following Negroes: Messa, Israel, --,my gardiner and his wife Teresa, Negro woman Caty and her children Frederick, Spenser, Charles, Lydia and also Negro woman Betty and her children Edmond, Ellen, Margaret and Mary
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  • Record #56
    Traveler's Names
    Samuel Miles
    Age
    Alias
    Robert King
    Origin- Town/City
    Revel's Neck
    Origin- State
    Maryland
    Destination
    Canada
    Birthplace
    Slaveowner's Name
    Traveler's Names
    Samuel Miles
    Age
    Description
    Alias
    Robert King
    Origin- Town/City
    Revel's Neck
    Origin- County
    Somerset
    Origin- State
    Maryland
    Destination
    Canada
    Birthplace
    Slaveowner's Name
    Chapter Title
    Sundry Arrivals, About August 1st
    Page Number
    290
    Other Travelers
    Other Conductors
    Additional Names
    Method of Travel
    Additional Resources
    Items in Possession
    Full Narrative
    ARRIVAL No. 6. Samuel Miles, alias Robert King. Samuel was a representative of Revel's Neck, Somerset Co., Md. His master he regarded as a " very fractious man, hard to please." The cause of the trouble or unpleasantness, which resulted in Samuel's Underground adventure, was traceable to his master's refusal to allow him to visit his wife. Not only was Samuel denied this privilege, but he was equally denied all privileges. His master probably thought that Sam had no mind, nor any need of a wife.
    "Whether this was really so or not, Sam was shrewd enough to " leave his old master with the bag to hold," which was sensible. Thirty-one years of Samuel's life were passed in Slavery, ere he escaped. The remainder of his days he felt bound to have the benefit of himself. In leaving home he had to part with his wife and one child, Sarah and little Henry, who were fortunately free.
    On arriving in Canada Samuel wrote back for his wife, &c., as follows :
    ST. CATHARINES, C. W., Aug. 20th, 1855.
    To MR. WM. STILL, DEAR FRIEND : ? It gives me pleasure to inform you that I have had the good fortune to reach this northern Canaan. I got here yesterday and am in good health and happy in the enjoyment of Freedom, but am very anxious to have my wife and child here with me.
    I wish you to write to her immediately on receiving this and let her know where I am you will recollect her name Sarah Miles at Baltimore on the corner of Hamburg and
    Eutaw streets. Please encourage her in making a start and give her the necessary directions how to come. She will please to make the time as short as possible in getting through to Canada. Say to my wife that I wish her to write immediately to the friends that I told her to address as soon as she hears from me. Inform her that I now stop in St. Catharines near the Niagara Falls that I am not yet in business but expect to get into business very soon ? That I am in the enjoyment of good health and hoping that this com-munication may find my affectionate wife the same. That I have been highly favored
    with friends throughout my journey I wish my wife to write to me as soon as she can and let me know how soon I may expect to see her on this side of the Niagara River. My wife had better call on Dr. Perkins and perhaps he will let her have the money he had in charge for me but that I failed of receiving when I left Baltimore. Please direct the letter for my wife to Mr. George Lister, in Hill street between Howard and Sharp. My compliments to all enquiring friends. Very respectfully yours, SAMUEL MILES.
    P. S. Please send the thread along as a token and my wife will understand that all is right. S. M.