Margaret Ward Fleeing to Freedom With Help From Watch, Her Mastiff, and Epictetus on True Freedom
BruceStrom1
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43 slides
Jul 26, 2024
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About This Presentation
Included in the Slave Narratives of the Underground Railroad is why and how Margaret Ward spontaneously fled from slavery when threatened with a humiliating whipping by a cruel master.
Margaret’s account begins: “On the Eastern shore of the Chesapeake, in the State of Maryland, there lived a r...
Slide Content
Included in the Slave Narratives of the Underground
Railroad is why and how Margaret Ward
spontaneously fled from slavery when threatened
with a humiliating whipping by a cruel master. She
told her story to Eber Pettit, this is her account.
We have no pictures of Margaret, so we will use
pictures of other slaves fleeing bondage for freedom.
Railroad is why and how Margaret Ward
spontaneously fled from slavery when threatened
with a humiliating whipping by a cruel master. She
told her story to Eber Pettit, this is her account.
We have no pictures of Margaret, so we will use
pictures of other slaves fleeing bondage for freedom.
Margaret’s account begins: “On the
Eastern shore of the Chesapeake, in
the State of Maryland, there lived a
remarkable woman by the name of
Margaret. She was born on a slave
ship on its way from Africa to
Baltimore, just before the
importation of slaves was prohibited.
She, with her mother, fell into the
hands of a family who gave them
religious instruction, and Margaret,
while young, exhibited traits of
character that were regarded as
remarkable for one of her race.”Negros in the Cellar of a Slave Ship, Johann Rugendas, 1830
Eastern shore of the Chesapeake, in
the State of Maryland, there lived a
remarkable woman by the name of
Margaret. She was born on a slave
ship on its way from Africa to
Baltimore, just before the
importation of slaves was prohibited.
She, with her mother, fell into the
hands of a family who gave them
religious instruction, and Margaret,
while young, exhibited traits of
character that were regarded as
remarkable for one of her race.”Negros in the Cellar of a Slave Ship, Johann Rugendas, 1830
“She had a proud, indomitable spirit, an acute moral
sense, a disposition naturally amiable, a cheerful
temperament, but crushed with a sense of her
degraded condition. She was unusually capable of
all kinds of housework and was an especially active
and competent nurse when any of the family were
sick. By observation, she learned the polite manners
and graceful deportment of ladies of the family and
those who visited there. Her obedience to every
command, her kindness to anyone who was in
trouble, and polite deportment toward all,” was
from “a conscientious desire to imitate her Savior
whom she had early learned to love.”
African Slave Woman, by Annibale Carracci, 1580s
sense, a disposition naturally amiable, a cheerful
temperament, but crushed with a sense of her
degraded condition. She was unusually capable of
all kinds of housework and was an especially active
and competent nurse when any of the family were
sick. By observation, she learned the polite manners
and graceful deportment of ladies of the family and
those who visited there. Her obedience to every
command, her kindness to anyone who was in
trouble, and polite deportment toward all,” was
from “a conscientious desire to imitate her Savior
whom she had early learned to love.”
African Slave Woman, by Annibale Carracci, 1580s
“At sixteen she went to live with her
young mistress” when she married.
“At eighteen Margaret was a large
woman, tall and well-formed, her
complexion black as jet, her
countenance always pleasant,
though she seldom laughed. She
talked but little.” “At twenty she wed
a worthy young man to whom she
had given her best affections.”
Marguerite Deurbroucq with an enslaved woman
in Nantes, by Pierre-Bernard Morlot, 1754
young mistress” when she married.
“At eighteen Margaret was a large
woman, tall and well-formed, her
complexion black as jet, her
countenance always pleasant,
though she seldom laughed. She
talked but little.” “At twenty she wed
a worthy young man to whom she
had given her best affections.”
Marguerite Deurbroucq with an enslaved woman
in Nantes, by Pierre-Bernard Morlot, 1754
“Not long after, her young master
became very angry with her for what he
called stubbornness and resistance to his
will, and threatened to chastise her by
whipping, a degradation that she had
always felt that she could not submit to.”
“She told him she would not be whipped,
she would rather die, and warned him
that his attempt would surely result in
the death of one of them.”
Whipping Old Barney, From Frederick
Douglass’ Slave Autobiography
became very angry with her for what he
called stubbornness and resistance to his
will, and threatened to chastise her by
whipping, a degradation that she had
always felt that she could not submit to.”
“She told him she would not be whipped,
she would rather die, and warned him
that his attempt would surely result in
the death of one of them.”
Whipping Old Barney, From Frederick
Douglass’ Slave Autobiography
“Her master knew her too
well to risk this and decided
to punish her in another way.
He sold her husband, and she
saw him bound in chains and
driven off with a large drove
of slaves for the New Orleans
market. He then put her in
the hands of a brutal
overseer, with directions to
work her to the extent of her
ability on a tobacco
plantation,” “up to the day of
the birth of her child.” Slave Auction at Charleston, by Eyre Crowe, 1854
well to risk this and decided
to punish her in another way.
He sold her husband, and she
saw him bound in chains and
driven off with a large drove
of slaves for the New Orleans
market. He then put her in
the hands of a brutal
overseer, with directions to
work her to the extent of her
ability on a tobacco
plantation,” “up to the day of
the birth of her child.” Slave Auction at Charleston, by Eyre Crowe, 1854
“It was the custom on the
plantations to establish nurseries,
presided over by old, broken-
down slaves, where mothers
might leave their infants during
the work hours, but this privilege
was denied to Margaret. She was
obliged to leave her child under
the shade of a bush in the field,
returning to it but twice during
the long day.”
plantations to establish nurseries,
presided over by old, broken-
down slaves, where mothers
might leave their infants during
the work hours, but this privilege
was denied to Margaret. She was
obliged to leave her child under
the shade of a bush in the field,
returning to it but twice during
the long day.”
“On returning to the child one
evening, Margaret found it
apparently senseless, exhausted
with crying, and a large serpent
lying across it. Although she felt
that it would be better for both
her and her child if he were dead,
yet a mother’s heart impelled her
to try to save her infant, and by
caressing and careful handling
she resuscitated it.”
Bronze Serpent of Moses, William Blake, 1800’s
evening, Margaret found it
apparently senseless, exhausted
with crying, and a large serpent
lying across it. Although she felt
that it would be better for both
her and her child if he were dead,
yet a mother’s heart impelled her
to try to save her infant, and by
caressing and careful handling
she resuscitated it.”
Bronze Serpent of Moses, William Blake, 1800’s
Margaret Living the Stoicism of Epictetus
More than any other Slave Narrative of the
Underground Railroad, Margaret’s character and
resolve epitomizes the Stoicism of the Roman
Philosopher Epictetus, who was himself a former
slave of a former slave.
Underground Railroad, Margaret’s character and
resolve epitomizes the Stoicism of the Roman
Philosopher Epictetus, who was himself a former
slave of a former slave.
Epictetus challenges us when he asks
whether a tyrant truly enslaves you
when he can only control your body and
property and send you into exile. No,
Epictetus proclaims: “I have been set
free by God, I know what he enjoins me
to do, no one can enslave me any
longer.” “Try your power out on me and
you’ll see how far it extends!” Who
should I fear if I am truly free in my soul?
whether a tyrant truly enslaves you
when he can only control your body and
property and send you into exile. No,
Epictetus proclaims: “I have been set
free by God, I know what he enjoins me
to do, no one can enslave me any
longer.” “Try your power out on me and
you’ll see how far it extends!” Who
should I fear if I am truly free in my soul?
Epictetus proclaims: “I consider what God
wants to take precedence over what I
want. I will be his devoted servant and
attendant: God’s inclinations are my
inclinations, God’s desires are my desires,
and God’s wishes are my wishes.”
“Since I am not frightened by anything a
tyrant can do to me, and since I don’t
crave any of the things he can procure for
me, why should I stand in awe of him?”
wants to take precedence over what I
want. I will be his devoted servant and
attendant: God’s inclinations are my
inclinations, God’s desires are my desires,
and God’s wishes are my wishes.”
“Since I am not frightened by anything a
tyrant can do to me, and since I don’t
crave any of the things he can procure for
me, why should I stand in awe of him?”
Margaret was willing to make the best of her
situation, she was willing to serve her master’s family
as she served Jesus, she compassionately cared for
her master’s family, as long as they respected her
basic human dignity. Once they crossed that line,
without hesitation, she immediately fled for freedom
with her infant, guided and protected only by God
and the North Star.
situation, she was willing to serve her master’s family
as she served Jesus, she compassionately cared for
her master’s family, as long as they respected her
basic human dignity. Once they crossed that line,
without hesitation, she immediately fled for freedom
with her infant, guided and protected only by God
and the North Star.
Underground
Railroad, by
Charles
Webber, 1893
Railroad, by
Charles
Webber, 1893
Epictetus discusses how the
Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus that
“slavery is no more bad than
good, and freedom no more good
than bad,” he proclaims proudly:
“If I were a slave and one of these
men was my master, I would
torment him, even if it earned me
a thrashing every day.”
Spartan lawgiver Lycurgus that
“slavery is no more bad than
good, and freedom no more good
than bad,” he proclaims proudly:
“If I were a slave and one of these
men was my master, I would
torment him, even if it earned me
a thrashing every day.”
We have previously reflected on my favorite sayings
of Epictetus, we are planning a future reflection on
how Epictetus and Diogenes of Sinope, who was also
enslaved in the latter part of his life, reflect on true
freedom from slavery, tyranny, and fear.
of Epictetus, we are planning a future reflection on
how Epictetus and Diogenes of Sinope, who was also
enslaved in the latter part of his life, reflect on true
freedom from slavery, tyranny, and fear.
https://youtu.be/Dhd543kov-E https://youtu.be/zAAal5p8AX8
https://youtu.be/rq3oRftjM4chttps://youtu.be/E0qQgqGkoOE
https://youtu.be/rq3oRftjM4chttps://youtu.be/E0qQgqGkoOE
We can also draw inspiration from Viktor Frankl’s Man’s
Search for Meaning, where he also describes how man can
find meaning in life even in the hopelessness of the
Auschwitz Nazi work camps, which was the most cruel
form of slavery devised by man.
Search for Meaning, where he also describes how man can
find meaning in life even in the hopelessness of the
Auschwitz Nazi work camps, which was the most cruel
form of slavery devised by man.
https://youtu.be/O-YtC9qGWPI
Margaret’s account continues: “As soon
as she heard her infant’s feeble, wailing
cry, she vowed to deliver her boy from
the cruel power of slavery or die in the
attempt, and falling prostrate, she
prayed for strength to perform her vow,
and for grace and patience to sustain her
in her suffering, toil and hunger. Pressing
her child to her bosom, she fled with all
the speed of which she was capable
towards the North Star.”
Margaret’s Family Quickly Flees to Freedom
as she heard her infant’s feeble, wailing
cry, she vowed to deliver her boy from
the cruel power of slavery or die in the
attempt, and falling prostrate, she
prayed for strength to perform her vow,
and for grace and patience to sustain her
in her suffering, toil and hunger. Pressing
her child to her bosom, she fled with all
the speed of which she was capable
towards the North Star.”
Margaret’s Family Quickly Flees to Freedom
Having gone a mile or two, she heard
something pursuing her; on looking
round she saw Watch, the old house
dog. Watch was a large mastiff,
somewhat old, and with him Margaret
had ever been a favorite, and since she
had been driven to the field, Watch
often visited her at her cabin in the
evening.” “At the break of day, she hid
herself on the border of a plantation
and soon fell asleep.” A mastiff, by Bernard te Gempt, 1857
something pursuing her; on looking
round she saw Watch, the old house
dog. Watch was a large mastiff,
somewhat old, and with him Margaret
had ever been a favorite, and since she
had been driven to the field, Watch
often visited her at her cabin in the
evening.” “At the break of day, she hid
herself on the border of a plantation
and soon fell asleep.” A mastiff, by Bernard te Gempt, 1857
“Towards evening she was aroused by
the noise made by the slaves
returning to their quarters, and
seeing an old woman lingering behind
all the others, she called her, told her
her troubles, and asked for food. The
old woman returned about midnight
with a pretty good supply of food,
which Margaret divided with Watch,
and then started on taking the North
Star for her guide.”
the noise made by the slaves
returning to their quarters, and
seeing an old woman lingering behind
all the others, she called her, told her
her troubles, and asked for food. The
old woman returned about midnight
with a pretty good supply of food,
which Margaret divided with Watch,
and then started on taking the North
Star for her guide.”
When Margaret was not present at the morning roll
call, the Overseer first thought she was hiding nearby
and thought that hunger would force her return.
When she did not return, he let loose the
bloodhounds, following them at a distance as they
traced her tracks.
call, the Overseer first thought she was hiding nearby
and thought that hunger would force her return.
When she did not return, he let loose the
bloodhounds, following them at a distance as they
traced her tracks.
A cotton plantation on the Mississippi, 1884
“Margaret had been lying in the woods
on the bank of a river, intending to start
again as soon as it was dark, when she
was startled by the whining and nervous
motions of old Watch, and listening, she
heard the hoarse ringing bay of a
bloodhound. Although she had expected
that she would be hunted with dogs, and
recalled over and over again the shocking
accounts related by Overseers to the
slaves, of fugitives overtaken and torn in
pieces by the savage Spanish
bloodhounds, she had not, until now,
realized the horrors of her situation.”
Mastiff Lion, by John Trivett Nettleship, around 1900 /
Alpine Mastiff, anonymous, 1815
on the bank of a river, intending to start
again as soon as it was dark, when she
was startled by the whining and nervous
motions of old Watch, and listening, she
heard the hoarse ringing bay of a
bloodhound. Although she had expected
that she would be hunted with dogs, and
recalled over and over again the shocking
accounts related by Overseers to the
slaves, of fugitives overtaken and torn in
pieces by the savage Spanish
bloodhounds, she had not, until now,
realized the horrors of her situation.”
Mastiff Lion, by John Trivett Nettleship, around 1900 /
Alpine Mastiff, anonymous, 1815
“Margaret expected to have to witness the
destruction of her child by the savage brute, and
then be torn into pieces herself. She did not,
however, lose her presence of mind.” She waded
into the river, fastening her child to her shoulders,
“taking a club to defend herself. Meanwhile, old
Watch lay with his nose between his feet, facing
the coming foe. The hound, rendered fiercer by
the freshness of the track, came rushing headlong
with nose to the ground, scenting her prey, and
seemed not to see old Watch, until, leaping to
pass over him, she found her windpipe suddenly
collapsed in the massive jaws of the old mastiff.”
Animal cards series, Mastiff, 1930
destruction of her child by the savage brute, and
then be torn into pieces herself. She did not,
however, lose her presence of mind.” She waded
into the river, fastening her child to her shoulders,
“taking a club to defend herself. Meanwhile, old
Watch lay with his nose between his feet, facing
the coming foe. The hound, rendered fiercer by
the freshness of the track, came rushing headlong
with nose to the ground, scenting her prey, and
seemed not to see old Watch, until, leaping to
pass over him, she found her windpipe suddenly
collapsed in the massive jaws of the old mastiff.”
Animal cards series, Mastiff, 1930
“The struggle was not very noisy,
for Watch would not even growl,
and the hound could not, but it
was terribly energetic.” “This was
of no use, as the jaws of old
Watch did not relax until all signs
of life in his enemy had ceased.
Margaret came back from the
river, and would have embraced
her faithful friend, but fearing
that a stronger pack was
following, she hastily threw the
dead hound into the river and
pursued her journey.” Dead Boar with a Mastiff and Other Dogs, by Jacob Hackert, 1795
for Watch would not even growl,
and the hound could not, but it
was terribly energetic.” “This was
of no use, as the jaws of old
Watch did not relax until all signs
of life in his enemy had ceased.
Margaret came back from the
river, and would have embraced
her faithful friend, but fearing
that a stronger pack was
following, she hastily threw the
dead hound into the river and
pursued her journey.” Dead Boar with a Mastiff and Other Dogs, by Jacob Hackert, 1795
Margaret had many more “adventures
before she reached New York City,
where she lived for many years.
Within a few hours” of their escape
from the hounds, “she fell into the
hands of friends, who hid her until she
could be sent into a free State. While
there, she learned about the pursuit
by the hunter, and that he never knew
what became of his best hound.” In
later years, “she became a celebrated
nurse, and always befriended the
poor of all colors and all nationalities.”
Study of a bloodhound, by Holman Hunt, 1848
before she reached New York City,
where she lived for many years.
Within a few hours” of their escape
from the hounds, “she fell into the
hands of friends, who hid her until she
could be sent into a free State. While
there, she learned about the pursuit
by the hunter, and that he never knew
what became of his best hound.” In
later years, “she became a celebrated
nurse, and always befriended the
poor of all colors and all nationalities.”
Study of a bloodhound, by Holman Hunt, 1848
Margaret rented a good house for
herself and her boy, and also for old
Watch.” When he grew up, her son
was educated and became a minister
in the Congregational Church. Our
author remembered that her son
“Samuel was a fine-looking man,
though he was so black it was
sometimes said that it grew dark
when he entered a room; but it grew
light when he began to speak.”
herself and her boy, and also for old
Watch.” When he grew up, her son
was educated and became a minister
in the Congregational Church. Our
author remembered that her son
“Samuel was a fine-looking man,
though he was so black it was
sometimes said that it grew dark
when he entered a room; but it grew
light when he began to speak.”
Discussing the Sources
We find the many stories on how slaves escaped to freedom in
the Underground Railroad fascinating, they give us insight into
the Deep South Antebellum world.
In our reflections on the Stoic philosophers, we previously read
the inexpensive Stoic Six-Pack on Amazon, but have since
discovered the excellent translations and histories of the scholar
Robin Waterfield. He also has translated Marcus Aurelius’
Meditations. In addition to the excellent forward and footnotes,
Robin Waterfield retains the Book, Chapter, and Verse numbers,
which the Six-Pack omits.
the Underground Railroad fascinating, they give us insight into
the Deep South Antebellum world.
In our reflections on the Stoic philosophers, we previously read
the inexpensive Stoic Six-Pack on Amazon, but have since
discovered the excellent translations and histories of the scholar
Robin Waterfield. He also has translated Marcus Aurelius’
Meditations. In addition to the excellent forward and footnotes,
Robin Waterfield retains the Book, Chapter, and Verse numbers,
which the Six-Pack omits.
We have many other stories on how slaves escaped bondage, such as
Harriet Jacob, who hid for several years on the plantation before escaped
to freedom.
Eliza Harris inspired the scene in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s
Cabin when she escaped slavery with her infant daughter crawling from
one block of ice to another to cross a frozen river.
Harriet Tubman was perhaps the most famous conductor on the
Underground Railroad, she returned to Maryland nineteen times to lead
family members and other slaves to freedom.
Henry Box Brown escaped from slavery by having himself boxed and
shipped to freedom in Philadelphia.
Harriet Jacob, who hid for several years on the plantation before escaped
to freedom.
Eliza Harris inspired the scene in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s
Cabin when she escaped slavery with her infant daughter crawling from
one block of ice to another to cross a frozen river.
Harriet Tubman was perhaps the most famous conductor on the
Underground Railroad, she returned to Maryland nineteen times to lead
family members and other slaves to freedom.
Henry Box Brown escaped from slavery by having himself boxed and
shipped to freedom in Philadelphia.
-
https://youtu.be/kRSzNZP73og https://youtu.be/kRSzNZP73og
https://youtu.be/Lkk30_zIDI0 https://youtu.be/q3AWLDo4e6I
https://youtu.be/kRSzNZP73og https://youtu.be/kRSzNZP73og
https://youtu.be/Lkk30_zIDI0 https://youtu.be/q3AWLDo4e6I
William and Ellen Craft escaped to freedom by disguising Ellen, who had
a pale complexion, as a young planter to travel by rail to freedom, with
her husband disguised as the helpful attending slave.
We reflect on the unusual story of Arnold Gragston, a slave conductor on
the Underground Railroad, helping other slaves escape bondage.
And we have the tragic story of Margaret Garner, who inspired the main
character for the novel Beloved, who killed two of her children to free
them from a lifetime of bondage and sexual molestation.
a pale complexion, as a young planter to travel by rail to freedom, with
her husband disguised as the helpful attending slave.
We reflect on the unusual story of Arnold Gragston, a slave conductor on
the Underground Railroad, helping other slaves escape bondage.
And we have the tragic story of Margaret Garner, who inspired the main
character for the novel Beloved, who killed two of her children to free
them from a lifetime of bondage and sexual molestation.
https://youtu.be/GuVlVqCYJZQhttps://youtu.be/VEggppALPLE
https://youtu.be/gd6SRd7T20I
https://youtu.be/gd6SRd7T20I
We have previously reflected on other fascinating
slave narratives. Frederick Douglass escaped from
slavery when the abolition movement began.
Augustine Tolton and his mother escaped from
slavery during the Civil War, he was the first black
priest ordained after the Civil War. And Booker T
Washington, founder of Tuskegee Institute, was
emancipated as a young teenager at the end of the
Civil War.
slave narratives. Frederick Douglass escaped from
slavery when the abolition movement began.
Augustine Tolton and his mother escaped from
slavery during the Civil War, he was the first black
priest ordained after the Civil War. And Booker T
Washington, founder of Tuskegee Institute, was
emancipated as a young teenager at the end of the
Civil War.
https://youtu.be/yxDnJ6sBoJc
https://youtu.be/7VkzhyNnuQk
https://youtu.be/dZbzWJkAf5k
https://youtu.be/M0sx85oMRQA
https://youtu.be/7VkzhyNnuQk
https://youtu.be/dZbzWJkAf5k
https://youtu.be/M0sx85oMRQA
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© Copyright 2024
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include links for Amazon books
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