Document of the Day

Speaking of Austin Woolfolk, "dealer in negroes," as I was researching in a newspaper database yesterday, I found that he placed an ad for a runaway slave in the September 1, 1831, edition of the Baltimore Gazette. The announcement began with a reward and a description of the fugitive in question:

“$200 REWARD. RANAWAY the 27th August, a 7 o’clock in the Evening, ARCHIBALD HARRIS, a bright Mulatto, with coal black hair, resembling that of an
Indian, but rather inclined to curl, and rather bushy behind – he has some small scars, or knots, on his breast, resembling the marks of a cowhide; is about 25 years of age, has a good countenance, but when promptly interrogated has a hesitancy in his speech, and when conscious of guilt rather a stare; has a strong voice, and in conversation talks loud. Was purchased of Lloyd Rogers, Esq. near the City of Baltimore, in whose service he has been a considerable time as a coachman, and was raised by Mr. Gettings, of Long-green, Baltimore County..."

That seems a detailed summation of Harris's appearance and attitude. Woolfolk had purchased Harris from Rogers, the owner; but what to make of "Mr. Gettings"? Was Harris hired to Mr. Gettings? Was Mr. Gettings the overseer?

What also of Harris's attitude? He's clearly boisterous and makes a lot of noise. Was his "hesitancy in speech" when "interrogated" and staring a sign of silent defiance? Were those scars a sign of trouble in the past?

The advertisement goes on to describe Harris's escape:

"...[he] has a forged Pass, and it is supposed he has taken a BLACK MARE, with Saddle and Bridle, about 14 or 15 hands high, hind feet white to the footlock joints has a very little white in her forehead; has a scar on her back occasioned by the saddle. The Mare belongs to a Mr. Knight, on the Falls turnpike road 4 miles from Baltimore. She was hitched near the Lexington Market, where he got her, as he was seen within a few rods of her with a small bundle a few minutes previous to her being missed."

The description of the horse that he appropriated is just as detailed as that of Harris, and I can't help but notice that both have scars. Lexington Market was the same as I mentioned in my last post about bad boys. Here we have someone that Woolfolk clearly considers a "bad guy," acquiring a forged pass, packing up a bundle, unhitching a horse, and taking off north.

The most interesting part comes next:

"Archibald selected me to purchase him of his own accord; he has been my Captain for several months, and had no cause for eloping excepting too good treatment. AUSTIN WOOLFOLK.”

Obviously, we have the typical southern master whine of "we were so good to him and he was so ungrateful;" but I see something much more devious going on here. Harris asked to be purchased, and he asked to be purchased by the most notorious slave dealer in the south. Woolfolk was one of the top two dealers selling slaves from Baltimore to New Orleans, from the upper south in to the deep south of cotton plantations. Frederick Douglass knew of him. William Lloyd Garrison spent time in jail for attacks on him. He was mentioned in papers as far afield as Evanston, Illinois, and Portland, Maine, for his activities.

Harris had to have known what he was getting into. He had to have known that he, a man with a skill and position as a coachman, would be sold into the cotton fields as a hand. While his position as "Captain" suggests that Woolfolk used Harris as his own personal slave rather than as cargo to sell south, Harris still must have known that was always an impending possibility.

What I see here is a man with a plan. He had a skill, he drove either Rogers or Gettings around and therefore had access to information outside of Maryland and knowledge of the roads. Perhaps he also had contacts in other places along the route north. He just needed an opportunity and decided to create that opportunity by getting himself to Baltimore. He got himself sold to Woolfolk, made himself useful, and put on the facade of contentment. Then, he bided his time. Once he had a pass, he packed his "bundle" and hit the road.

I wonder which they noticed missing first, the man or the mare?

I wonder what became of him? Where did he go? Did he change his name? What did he do?If I were not busy pursuing other fugitives and their families -- including a particular famous one -- I'd follow him.