Tiffany Minassian

Document Interpretation #4: Hamilton and Jefferson & The Master Class

In the document by Benjamin Drew, he put together a

compilation of narratives from fugitive slaves in Canada. The two
former slaves that I read about were Mrs. James Steward and Mrs.
Nancy Howard. Both these women wrote about their experiences of
how life was under abusive masters and their escape to freedom. Mrs.
James Howard was originally from Maryland. Her master would torture
her, her sister, brother, and father any opportunity he had. Her father
was overworked on hot, summer days. Her sister was stripped of her
clothes before she was beaten and tortured. Her brother would be
whipped until his skin was raw, then continue to be whipped again
before the wound was completely healed. The family was treated no
better than the animals on the farm that they would work with. They
were not even allowed an education or access to church given the
master feared they would become more educated than him. Her
scapegoat out of the torturous lifestyle was through a man named Jim
Seward. He rescued her by marrying her and they eloped to Canada.
Mrs. Nancy Howard also began her life as a slave in Maryland. Her
master very abusive as well, both physically and emotionally. He would
publicly humiliate her in front of guests and would poke and whip her
until her skin was raw. She took advantage of her opportunity to
escape when her master became ill. The first place she headed to was
Massachusetts where she spent seven years of her life. However she
left because there was a high risk she would be sent back to her
master from the fugitive slave law. She finally settled last in Canada
where she spent the remainder of her life. Both women lived very
similar lifestyles while they were under the rule of their masters.
Coincidently they shared a common interaction. Both of them were
struck on the head which caused them to bleed profusely. Mrs. James
Steward was hit on the head, then put into a confined space without
food or water for over 24 hours. Mrs. Nancy Howard was hit on the
head with a knife when she forgot to bring a fork to the dinner table
and bled to the point where medical attention was needed. In my
opinion, from previous readings it seems as though it is a very common
situation for female slaves to be extremely abused. The extent of the
abuse varies based off the master, however they inevitably are
physically and mentally tortured at one point. Canada was the place to
go for any slave seeking escape. The reason being that Canada offered
an Anto-Savery Society. It was established in 1852 and had a

population of about 30,000 adult and children slave refugees. The

society was established by 3 supporters from Britain, Europe, and the
U.S. It was also supported by leading abolitionists which included both
black and whites from churches, business, professional, and political
elites, and also representatives from the Underground Railroad
refugee committee. Canada was the safest and most beneficial place
for slaves to comfortably live out the rest of their lives.