The atmosphere throughout the neighborhood where Charles and Margaret had lived and breathed, and had their existence, was heavily oppressed with slavery.  No education for the freeman of color, much less for the slave.  The order of the day was literally, as far as colored men were concerned:  “No rights which white men were bound to respect.”

Chaskey Brown, Wm. Henry Washington, James Alfred Frisley, and Charles Henry Salter.  Chaskey is about twenty-four years of age, quite black, medium size, sound body and intelligent appearance, nevertheless he resembled a “farm hand” in every particular.  His master was known by the name of Major James H. Gales, and he was the owner of a farm with eighteen men, women and children, slaves to toil for him.  The Major in disposition was very abusive and profane, though old and grey-headed.  His wife was pretty much the same kind of a woman as he was a man; one who delighted in making the slaves tremble at her bidding.  Chaskey was a member of the “Still Pond church,” of Kent county, Md.  Often Chaskey was made to feel the lash on his back, notwithstanding his good standing in the church.  He had a wife and one child.  In escaping, he was obliged to leave them both.  Chaskey was valued at $1200.

William Henry was about 20 years of age, and belonged to Doctor B. Grain, of Baltimore, who hired him out to a farmer.  Not relishing the idea of having to work all his life in bondage, destitute of all privileges, he resolved to seek a refuge in Canada.  He left his mother, four sisters and two brothers.

James is twenty-four years of age, well made, quite black and pretty shrewd.  He too was unable to see how it was that he should be worked, and flogged, and sold, at the pleasure of his master and “getting nothing;” he “had rather work for himself.”  His master was a “speckled-faced—­pretty large stomach man, but was not very abuseful.”  He only owned one other.

Charles Henry is about thirty years of age, of good proportion, nice-looking and intelligent; but to rough usage he was no stranger.  To select his own master was a privilege not allowed; privileges of all kinds were rare with him.  So he resolved to flee.  Left his mother, three sisters and five brothers in slavery.  He was a member of “Albany Chapel,” at Massey’s Cross Roads, and a slave of Dr. B. Crain.  Charles left his wife Anna, living near the head of Sassafras, Md.  The separation was painful, as was everything belonging to the system of Slavery.

These were all gladly received by the Vigilance Committee, and the hand of friendship warmly extended to them; and the best of counsel and encouragement was offered; material aid, food and clothing were also furnished as they had need, and they were sent on their way rejoicing to Canada.