When Samuel Curtis was discharged, he deemed it expedient to go to Boston; thinking he might be safer there than in Philadelphia.  But he had not been there many days, before he met the same man who had previously arrested him; and he by no means felt sure that the mayor of that city would prove as friendly to the colored people as was Robert Wharton.  To add to his troubles, some villain broke open his trunk while he was absent from his lodgings, and stole a hundred and fifty dollars of his hard earnings.  The poor fugitive began to think there was no safe resting-place for him on the face of the earth.  He returned to Philadelphia disconsolate and anxious.  He was extremely diligent and frugal, and every year he contrived to save some money, which he put out at interest in safe hands.  At last, he was able to purchase a small lot in Powell-street, on which he built a good three-story brick house, where he lived with his apprentices, and let some of the rooms at a good profit.

In 1807, he called upon Friend Hopper and told him that his eagerness to make money had chiefly arisen from a strong desire to redeem his children from bondage.  But being a slave himself, he said it was impossible for him to go in search of them, unless his own manumission could be obtained.  It happened that a friend of Isaac T. Hopper was going to North Carolina.  He agreed to see the master and ascertain what could be done.  Mr. Spear never expected to hear from his slave again, and the proposition to buy him after so many years had elapsed, seemed like finding a sum of money.  He readily agreed to make out a bill of sale for one hundred dollars, which was immediately paid.

The first use Samuel Curtis made of the freedom he had purchased was to set off for the South in search of his children.  To protect himself as much as possible from the perils of such an undertaking, he obtained a certificate of good character, signed by the mayor of Philadelphia, and several of the most respectable citizens.  They also gave him “a pass” stating the object of his journey, and commending him to the protecting kindness of those among whom he might find it necessary to travel.  With these he carefully packed his deed of manumission, and set forth on his errand of paternal love.  When he went to take leave of Friend Hopper, he was much agitated.  He clasped his hand fervently, and the tears flowed fast down his weather-beaten cheeks.  “I know I am going into the midst of danger,” said he.  “Perhaps I may be seized and sold into slavery.  But I am willing to hazard everything, even my own liberty, if I can only secure the freedom of my children.  I have been a slave myself, and I know what slaves suffer.  Farewell!  Farewell, my good friend.  May God bless you, and may he restore to me my children.  Then I shall be a happy man.”

He started on his journey, and went directly to his former master to obtain information.  He did not at first recognize his old servant.  But when he became convinced that the person before him was the identical Manuel, who had formerly been his slave, he seemed pleased to see him, entertained him kindly, and inquired how he had managed to get money enough to buy his children.