Aspects of Slavery and Freedom Seeking in North Carolina
Absconding-Conclusion
Running away was a common aspect of slavery. Some enslaved persons were bolder than others in their acts of running away. Some ran away not merely for days but sometimes for weeks, months, and years. Some boldly returned and left again. For instance, “Mrs. E.C. Alexander of Southwestern Burke County” noted, “the servants will not obey me. John ran away six weeks since. Last week he returned and said he intends to leave again whenever he pleases.”
The desire to throw off the shackles of slavery was born in terms of feelings; as James Curry noted, “from my childhood, the desire for freedom reigned predominant in my breast.” As long as the escape had the potential of gaining freedom or advantages for the enslaved, the enslaved people took the risk.
There was no place in North Carolina where slaves were held captive and did not account for a runaway. This is even true for the barrier island, where slaves were few, such as Ocracoke. Learn more HERE and HERE
It is impossible to know how many freedom seekers fled from North Carolina, but we have accounts of some who made it. For instance, Thomas Hedgebth and a Mr. J, who fled North Carolina and settled in London, became drug store owners and possessed “considerable property.” In addition, we have short accounts from William Still’s Underground Railroad, and luckily, autobiographical accounts exist.
