ABSTRACT
William Healy was a slave in Virginia. When about eighteen years old, his master placed him with a carpenter, in the neighborhood, to learn the trade. He was an active, industrious fellow, and soon became a good workman. After he had got his trade, his master took him home, and hired him out, to work at his trade. At the end of each week, he paid his master the amount he had earned. William became uneasy, and concluded that it would be no more than just that he should be allowed to enjoy the fruits of his own labor. To effect this object, he determined to go to Philadelphia. He was now about twenty-five years old. He was tall, athletic, and intelligent, considering the opportunities within his reach. In pursuance of his plan, he started one moonlight night, and without much difficulty arrived at Philadelphia. For the first few days, after leaving home, he suffered for the want of food; being afraid to apply for it, until he had been several days on his journey. Upon arriving in that city he got employment. After being there a few years, he married a free woman; who, like himself, was industrious and frugal. William took a lot on ground rent, in Moyamensing, near Passyunk road and Fitzwater street, and commenced erecting a frame house on it. He proceeded with his house so far as to get it under roof. Though not plastered, the floors were laid, and he anticipated finishing it in a few weeks. He appeared to enjoy life in a high degree; and there seemed nothing to interrupt their comfort, when some unprincipled, mercenary wretch, informed his master where he might be found. About the year 1810, he went to Philadelphia, and having obtained a warrant, had him arrested, and taken before Richard Palmer, a magistrate, in the district of Southwark. Palmer was not favorable to the colored people. Upon proof, to his satisfaction, he surrendered the poor, afflicted fugitive, as a slave, 322to be returned to Virginia. He was committed to prison in the evening, and the next morning was carried off, and never heard from afterwards, by his wife, or his friends in Philadelphia.
