William was thirty-four years of age, of a chestnut color, substantial physical structure, and of good faculties.  The man who professed to own him he called William Taylor, and “he was a very hard man, one of the kind which could not be pleased, nor give a slave a pleasant answer one time in fifty.”  Being thoroughly sick of William Taylor, he fell in love with the Underground Rail Road and Canada.

Mrs. Walker, the big fat woman, was thirty-eight years of age, and a pleasant-looking person, of a very dark hue.  Besides the struggles already alluded to, she was obliged to leave her husband.  Of her master she declared that she could “say nothing good.”  His name was Arthur Cooper, of Georgetown; she had never lived with him, however; for twenty years she had hired her time, paying five dollars per month.  When young she scarcely thought of the gross wrongs that were heaped upon her; but as she grew older, and thought more about her condition, she scouted the idea that God had designed her to be a slave, and decided that she would be one to leave Dixey in the first Underground Rail Road train that might afford her the chance.  She determined not to remain even for the sake of her husband, who was a slave.  With such a will, therefore, she started.  Upon leaving Philadelphia, she went with the most of her company to Boston, and thence to New Bedford, where she was living when last heard from.

Rebecca Lewey was the wife of a man, who was familiarly known by the name of “Blue Beard,” his proper name being Henry Lewey.  For a long time, although a slave himself, he was one of the most dexterous managers in the Underground Rail Road agency in Norfolk.  No single chapter in this work could be more interesting than a chapter of his exploits in this respect.

The appearing of Mrs. Lewey, was a matter of unusual interest.  Although she had worn the yoke, she was gentle in her manners, and healthy-looking, so much so that no life insurance agent would have had need to subject her to medical examination before insuring her.  She was twenty-eight years of age, but had never known personal abuse as a slave; she was none the less anxious, however, to secure her freedom.  Her husband, Blue Beard, judging from certain signs, that he was suspected by slave-holders, and might at any time be caged, (indeed he had recently been in the lions’ den, but got out); in order to save his wife, sent her on in advance as he had decided to follow her soon in a similar manner.  Rebecca was not without hope of again meeting her husband.  This desire was gratified before many months had passed, as he was fortunate enough to make his way to Canada.

Mary Knight was a single woman, twenty-six years of age, dark, stout, and of pleasing manners; she complained of having been used hard.