There was a standing reward for the capture of a runaway.  The Indians who caught a runaway slave received a “match coat.”  The master gave the slave usually ten to ninety-nine lashes for running off.  What slaves feared most was what they called the “nine ninety-nine” or 99 lashes with a rawhide whip, and sometimes they were unmercifully flogged until unconcious.  Some cruel masters believed Negroes had no souls.  The slaves at Bowie, however, declared “Parson” Williams, were pretty well treated and usually respected the overseers.  He said that the slaves at Bowie mostly lived in cabins made of slabs running up and down and crudely furnished.  Working time was from sunrise until sunset.  The slaves had no money to spend and few masters allowed them to indulge in a religious meeting or even learn about the Bible.

Slaves received medical attention from a physician if they were seriously ill.  When a death occured, a rough box would be made of heavy slabs and the dead Negro buried the same day on the plantation burying lot with a brief ceremony, if any.  The grieving darkeys, relatives, after he was “eased” in the ground, would sing a few spirituals and return to their cabins.

Familiar old spirituals were composed by “Parson” Williams, including Roll De Stones Away, You’ll Rise in De Skies, and Ezekiel, He’se Comin Home.

Following is one of Williams’ spirituals: 

  When dat are ole chariot comes,
  I’m gwine to lebe you: 
  I’m bound for de promised land
  I’m gwine to lebe you.

  I’m sorry I’m gwine to lebe you,
  Farewell, oh farewell
  But I’ll meet you in de mornin
  Farewell, oh farewell.

Still another favorite of “Parson” Williams, which he composed on Col.  Bowie’s plantation just before the Civil War, a sort of rallying song expressing what Canada meant to the slaves at that time, runs thus: 

  I’m now embarked for yonder shore
  There a man’s a man by law;
  The iron horse will bear me o’er
  To shake de lion’s paw. 
  Oh, righteous Father, will thou not pity me
  And aid me on to Canada, where all the slaves are free.

  Oh, I heard Queen Victoria say
  That if we would forsake our native land of slavery,
  And come across de lake
  That she was standin’ on de shore
  Wid arms extended wide,
  To give us all a peaceful home
  Beyond de rollin’ tide.

Interesting reminiscences are recalled by “Parson” Williams of his early life.  He said that he still remembers when Mr. Oden Bowie (later governor) left with the army of invasion of Mexico (1846-1848), and of his being brought home ill after several years was nursed back to health at “Fairview”.  Governor Bowie died on his plantation in 1894 and is buried in the family burying ground there.

He was the first president of the Maryland Jockey Club.  Governor Bowie raised a long string of famous race horses that became known throughout the country.  From the “Fairview” stables went such celebrated horses as Dickens, Catespy, Crickmore, Commensation, Creknob, who carried the Bowie colors to the front on many well-contested race courses.  After Governor Bowie’s death, the estate became the property of his youngest son, W. Booth Bowie.