ABSTRACT
Benjamin Clark was born in Virginia, and was held as a slave till he was about thirty years old, when he escaped from his oppressor, and, about the year 1808, went to Philadelphia. After he had been there about a year, he married, and resided in Middle Alley, mostly inhabited by colored people. He sawed wood, and his wife was employed as a washerwoman. They were industrious, sober people, and being without children, found no difficulty in supporting themselves comfortably. I often employed him, and always found him industrious and obliging. Their house was well furnished, and was remarkably clean and neat. Few white people, in their sphere, exceeded them in this respect. There seemed nothing to mar their comfort.
