New Hanover County, NC - Fanny Larrington, 1810

Wilmington, NC - Oct. 2

About eleven years ago, a white man came to the house of a free 
coloured woman named Fanny Larrington, living on the sound in the
neighborhood of this town, and requested her to lend him some
assistance to bring up some things he had landed close by. She
readily sent her eldest child Dick with him.

His long stay alarmed her; she went to look for him, and when she
called, received no answer. She had not gone far when she heard
the cry of her two young children whom she had left in the house.

In returning to their relief she suddenly came upon a Negro man 
who had under each arm one of her children, whom he instantly
dropped and made his escape into the worrds.

The mother at once knew the fate of her son, and while she embraced
her little daughters thus fortunately rescued, she cried bitterly
for the loss of her eldest child, who had been so cruelly and
treacherously stolen from her.

Of this son she had not heard any tidings until a few days since
he arrived in Wilmington, and made her, as he was himself, happy
by the recovery of his long lost freedom.

He went before a very respectable magistrate of this town and
proved by two credible witnesses, that he was the person who had
been kidnapped from his mother as above recited, and that he was
born free. 

He states that he went along with the white man to the landing but 
saw nothing to bring away; he was obliged to go into a canoe over 
to the opposite side of the creek, and when, on hearing his mother 
call for him he attempted to answer her, his mouth was gagged and 
he forced to accompany him through the woods, until, as by concert, 
they met on the road a waggon and team going into the back country.
The apparent owner of it, who called himself "Dukes" claimed him
as his property, carried him away and sold him. His last master
was a Mr. Wm. Walker of Stokes County, with whom he went by the
name of Prince. 

A subscription had been raised for the purpose of sending a person
who could identify this boy, and by regular process of law release
him from his slavery. But Dick had availed himself of a favourable
opportunity. He escaped and by the exercise of considerable ingenuity, 
made his way to Wilmington, where his claims for Freedom have been 
substantiated beyond the possibility of a doubt.

Source: Norther Whig - October 19, 1810

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Guy Potts - gpotts1@nc.rr.com
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