News Articles on the Patty Cannon Gang

Slavery to freedom
		Harrisburg on the eve of Civil War
Study Areas Enslavement Anti-Slavery Free Persons of Color Underground Railroad The Violent Decade US Colored Troops Civil War Year of Jubilee (1863) 20th Century History	The Joe Johnson and Patty Cannon Gang Full Text of Original News Articles The kidnapping of free Blacks to feed the burgeoning domestic slave trade plagued nearly all towns and cities that had African American communities. While some kidnappings were perpetrated by one or two immoral men who saw an opportunity, it became clear as early as the 1810s that organized bands were preying on northern free Black communities. Most of the young boys taken from Philadelphia in the 1820s were abducted by a man named Joe Johnson and his gang, working near the city wharves. Testimony from three boys who were recovered, Samuel Scomp, Peter Hook, and Cornelius St. Clair, all of Philadelphia, described the method of operations and identified Joe Johnson and members of his family. The boys gave depositions at different times, and the details provided by each corroborated the stories of the others. The news articles below chronicle the disappearances of Philadelphia area children and the resulting investigation that led authorities first to Joe Johnson and ultimately to Patty Cannon, uncovering the horrific operation that sent an untold number of children, women and men to slavery in the deep South, most of whom were never heard from again. News Articles, 1826-1829 Items Southern Planters Write to Alert Mayor Joseph Watson, 1826 Description of Mary Fisher, the Kidnapped Woman Details Emerge and Some Kidnapped Boys are Returned More Details of the Kidnapped Boys Returned The Detailed Narrative of Peter Hook High Contstable Garrigues Captures Gang Member John Purnel Advertisement for Missing Boy Jacob Day Contstable Garrigues Begins Rescuing Kidnapped Children More Returned Children Implicate Joe Johnson and His Gang Mayor Watson Delivers a Detailed Report of the Investigation Constable Garrigues Captures Another Gang Member Port of Philadelphia Report of More Returned Children Chance Discovery Links the Patty Cannon Farm Details Emerge of the Scope of the Kidnappings and Murders Grand Jury Indicts Patty Cannon, Joe Johnson and Ebenezer Johnson Death in Prison of Patty Cannon Southern Planters Write to Alert Mayor Joseph Watson, 1826 Kidnapping. -- The Mayor of Philadelphia has recently received a letter from Mississippi, stating the arrival of a Kidnapper, by the name of Ebenezer F. Johnson, with three negro boys, and one negro woman, for sale -- the three former having been kidnapped and stolen from Philadelphia. The woman was a slave taken from Virginia. The boys have fallen into the hands of a humane protector, and will probably be reclaimed. The mode by which they were entrapped was this. A mulatto man engaged them singly, to help bring melons on shore from a sloop; and when they went on board, they were taken below -- seized, confined, and carried off. The National Gazette (Philadelphia), 17 February 1826 Description of Mary Fisher, the Kidnapped Woman Extract of a letter from J. W. Hamilton, of Rocky Spring, Mississippi, giving a description of Mary Fisher, the Kidnapped Woman -- heretofore mentioned in the Letter of Mr. Henderson, and published about two weeks since in the United States Gazette. MARY FISHER, aged from 40 to 50 years, says she was set free by William Berry in Dover -- who afterwards removed to Frederica, in Delaware. -- Berry had two sons residing at Dover, to wit, Charles and David. She is known to John Dill, Frederica -- John Lape, Esq Smyrna -- Isaac Wright, North West Fork. She has lived with Widow Anderson, Elkton. Her father's name Benjamin Davis -- freed by Benjamin Tow -- was taken from Delaware by said Johnson, fall past was a year. -- Her height about 5 feet 5 inches, stout made. The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 3 March 1826 Details Emerge and Some Kidnapped Boys are Returned In the month of August last, five colored boys were kidnapped in this city; to wit, Enos Tilghman; Alexander Manlove; Samuel ____; Joe, a sweep, and Cornelius Sinclair. They were carried first to the line of Delaware and Maryland, and thence transported by land and water to Alabama and Mississippi. Joe died at Rocky Spring, in consequence of the cruel beating he received from Abraham F. Johnson, one of the kidnappers. Sinclair was sold at Tuscaloosa; but has since been found; and, it is hoped , will eventually be restored. Together with these unfortunate boys, was a black woman by the name of Mary Fisher, who was kidnapped near Elkton. Tilghman and Manlove, who belong to Philadelphia, and Samuel, who is a servant of David Hill, of New Jersey, living near Trenton, have just arrived at this port from New Orleans, in the brig Catherine, having been sent thus, to our respectable Mayor, by the humane individuals who most generously interfered in their behalf. The woman, Mary Fisher, has been restored to freedom, and is under the protection of J. W. Hamilton, of Mississippi, where she chose to remain rather than encounter the sufferings of a sea voyage home. The rescue of these poor creatures is a subject of rejoicing for all benevolent persons, and is chiefly due to the indefatigable and charitable zeal of Mr. Watson, the Mayor. Too much credit cannot be given to the excellent dispositions, and intelligent vigilance, with which he pursued that interesting object. It is but justice to add that he was earnestly seconded by many exemplary citizens in Mississippi, Alabama and other places. The atrocity and hardihood of the crime, of which all the colored persons mentioned above, were near becoming most miserable victims, are such, that its frequent occurrence at least is apt to be doubted. But it is certain that there are gangs of kidnappers, incessantly prowling for prey, and against whom constant watchfulness should be practised and recommended. The National Gazette (Philadelphia), 30 June 1826 More Details of the Kidnapped Boys Returned Alexander Raymon, alias Manlove, Enos Tilghman, and Samuel Scamps, three of the black boys who were kidnapped some months ago, and who have been restored to liberty through the exertions of the Mayors of Natchez and Philadelphia, returned home this morning in the brig Catharine from New Orleans. Cornelius Sinclair, another of the boys, is now on his passage. The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 4 July 1826 The Detailed Narrative of Peter Hook KIDNAPPING. Natchez, Dec. 23, 1826 Dear Sir, The enclosed statement of a most cruel and complicated piece of villainy, was accidentally discovered by the servant of Mr. Holmes, (late Governor of this State,) and afterwards taken down by D. S. Walker, Esq. a gentleman of the bar, whose professional services we have thought it advisable to engage, and whose note we herewith send you. Public justice requires that prompt measures be taken, to release these unfortunate persons, and if possible to punish the aggressors. Aware of the benevolent feelings of the Philadelphians, and the readiness with which the public authorities would be exerted in the cause of humanity, we have not hesitated to institute an inquiry for their relief.-- Some creditable person or persons will have to be sent out for the purpose of identifying these people, and to prove their condition. The residence of many of these persons is unknown to us, but it is believed that they may be all found upon research. Since this statement was made out, the woman, Lydia Smith, has been brought to this city, and sold as a slave; measures are now taking to have her secured against further removal. We are, respectfully, your obedient servants, DAVID HOLMES, J. E. DAVIS. The Hon. Joseph Watson, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. THE NARRATIVE Of Peter Hook, a black boy, now in the possession of Mr. Perryman, of Holmesville, Pike county, Mississippi, says, that he is free. That he was born in Philadelphia. That his father's name is Peter Hook, and his mother's, Betsey. That they formerly lived in Currant Alley, between Walnut and Locust-streets. That his father once lived with Mr. Hartman Kuhn, as a coachman, and his brother James, with Judge Hemphill. He seems, from his statement, to have been kidnapped a year ago last spring -- June, 1825. That he was induced one evening by a black man whom they called John, to go down to a schooner near Arch-street wharf to get a dram. That a white man, whom they called Joe Johnson, drew a long knife across his throat and said "if you halloo g-d da--n you, I'll kill you," and then took him down, tied his hands across and chained him to the pump. Two boys, William Miller, (black,) who lived in South-street, and Milton Trusty, (mulatto,) a sweep, who lived corner of Eighth and Spruce-streets, opposite the Hospital, were brought down the same night and chained alongside of Peter. Next evening two black boys, Clement Cox and William Chase, were brought down and chained with the rest. Peter describes Milton Trusty, as a good sized mulatto boy, thick set; Bill Miller about Peter's own size, but thicker; Clem and Bill Chase as larger. Peter says they were three days and nights before they sailed. That they sailed out of the capes and saw the light house. That in about a day's sail afterwards, they landed, and he and the other four boys were chained together in a small oyster house for three days. The five boys were then taken by night in a carryall and gig, passed Lewistown about day light, and stopped at Joe Johnson's house, a tavern, on the road six miles from Lewistown, saw Abraham F. Johnson, Joe's Brother, and his wife, there, where all five were chained to a staple in the floor of the garret. Soon after, a black boy, John Jacobs, a cart driver, from Philadelphia, was brought there. About three or four days after the 4th of July, a black boy, James Bayard, (a sweep,) a mulatto, Benjamin Baxter, who lived in Philadelphia, in South street, and Little Jack, a small black boy, (a sweep,) were brought together to the garret. And soon after, Ephraim Lawrence, a black boy, and little (hopping) John, a mulatto, (who had both lived with a Mr. Hurst, in Philadelphia,) were brought to the garret, and then a black Henry, a young man grown, was brought there. The 12 were all chained to the same staple. Two girls were brought there some time before this, (Lydia Smith and Sally,) both black. Lydia lived with Mr. Mason, in Prospect alley, about a square from the house of Peter Hook, (the father). Mason kept an Oyster Celler, in Market street -- Sally was blind, or nearly sok, and he does not know where she lived, but was told in South street. These girls were chained in a different parts of the same garret. Peter never knew Henry before -- but Henry said he was kidnapped by Johnson, on the road, as he was going to see his mother. Peter thinks they were kept in this garret about 6 months. One night, the twelve boys and two girls were taken down, walked six or seven miles, and were put on board a ship by Joe Johnson, and set sail. In about six days after, they were landed -- don't know where -- heard them talking about the Chesapeake Bay, and that they were near Baltimore. We then travelled by land for one month, until we came to Rockingham. Joe Johnson with them. He chained the large boys two and two, but not the small ones. They travelled generallyl on bye roads. Were not permitted to talk to any one they met; always encamped out. Were severely whipped by Johnson, for saying we were free; though he never whipped me. Little John and himself were taken to a Mr. Owen's, 13 miles from Rockingham, and staid there a month. Then Johnson sold them all to a Mr. Miller and Josias Sutler, near Rockingham. Staten and Constant, two black men, who said they were taken from Philadelphia, joined them. Bill knew one and Sally the other, and said they were corn carriers. The whole 16, all unchained, then started under Miller and Sutler, and after travelling some time, stopped at a Mr. Low's, six miles from Clinton, in Georgia, about two weeks, where a Mr. Walker came to see, and brought ten boys, and kept us a week or two, when he found out that we were free, and refused to keep us. Sutler sent Tom Low for us, and he, (Sutler and Miller met us on the road) with the others, in all the sixteen free, and four slaves, Lawdy, Fanny, Maria and Martha. They brought us all to this country, but Staten and Constant, who were sold on the way. Mr. Miller got sick on the road, and returned. Sutler sold four Clem, Ephraim, Henry, and Lydia, in Monticello, (Mississippi,) Lydia in Monticello, and the other three twelve miles across the river, with one of the slaves, (Maria). The rest were taken to Holmesville, and four of us, William Miller, John Jacobs, James Bayard and myself, were sold to Mr. Perryman, for $450 a piece, last winter. The other six free ones, were taken on by Sutler. National Gazette (Philadelphia), 27 January 1827 High Contstable Garrigues Captures Gang Member John Purnel Kidnapping. -- The Office of the Mayor was, on Wednesday last, crowded to excess, in consequence of the examination of a small light coloured negro man, named John Smith, alias James Morris, alias John Purnel, of Snowhill, Maryland, the latter being his true name. He was charged with being a principal agent of the Johnsons, in the atrocious kidnappings of 1825. A number of witnesses, including several of the coloured children who had been kidnapped by Johnson's gang, and restored by Messrs. Hamilton and Henderson, of Mississippi, testified to the identity of Purnel, and to his direct agency in the matter. We were particularly struck with the intelligence manifested by a little black boy, named St. Clair, whose return has recently been effected, after great trouble and expense, from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In his particular case, it was testified that Smith fell in with the boy in Second or Front st. and held out the usual bait of a quarter of dollar, to help bring up peaches, mellons, &c. from a boat. The boy refused, but accompanied Smith to the end of the New-Market, at South & Second street, where a covered dearborn waggon was standing, and a white man in it -- when in the open street, and at 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Smith putting his hand over the boy's mouth and covering it with some kind of sticking plaster, snatched him in and stepped into the waggon with him, undiscovered, and prevented him from crying out -- the waggon was then driven off very fast, down below the Rope Walks, and he was immediately put on board of a little sloop at anchor in the Delaware. After a long investigation, he was committed to answer on several distinct charges of kidnapping. True bills of indictment were said to have been already found against the defendant, under different names in the Mayor's Court and Quarter Sessions -- but we understood the Mayor to say, that he was as yet undetermined whether he should not feel bound to return the prisoner for trial before the Circuit Court of the United States -- that is appeared to him that the 5th section of the act of Congress of 1820, seemed to embrace the offence of which the prisoner stood so repeatedly charged. High Constable Garrigues had arrived the preceding day, from Boston, with this prisoner in his custody. He had there been arrested in consequence of information forwarded by the Police of this city, who have been indefatigably engaged for a long while past, in bringing these offenders to trial.-- Garrigues has travelled in pursuit more than 2000 miles. It is said there is another black man now in Arch-street Prison, charged as an accomplice, waiting his trial, before the Mayor's Court. There was a white man, of Nanticoke River, who recentlyl died in Arch street Prison before trial, who was identified as the Captain that commanded Joe Johnson's sloop Little John, in two of her voyages to this city, in the summer of 1825, and who had voluntarily confessed the fact of his guilt. -- Daily Adv. The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 19 June 1827 Advertisement for Missing Boy Jacob Day Missing -- Supposed to be Kidnapped. ON Sunday, the 16th inst. JACOB DAY, a coloured lad, between 9 and 10 years old, was sent by his brother, with whom he resided, to a brick-kiln in the skirts of the city, to turn bricks; he was seen about dusk in the neighborhood of Beck's Shot Tower, returning home. Since then his relations have had no account of him, though much inquiry and search has been made. Some circumstances lead to the belief that he has been kidnapped. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his brother, WM. STANSBURRY, in South near Eleventh street. He is stout of his age, has a scar over his left eye, two large upper teeth in front, talks fast and stutters -- had on white linen pantaloons and striped roundabout. Editors of newspapers will in all probability aid the cause of justice, and befriend the distressed, by giving the above an insertion. sep 20 The National Gazette (Philadelphia), 20 September 1827 Contstable Garrigues Begins Rescuing Kidnapped Children It is, we believe, generally known that one of the high constables, Mr. Garrigues, of this city, was despatched, some time since, to Mississippi, to take charge of several black children who had been kidnapped from this city, and "sold into slavery," in that state. We now learn that Mr. G. has returned with the three children for whom he was sent. He has also discovered TWELVE other children, abducted in a similar manner, whom he has caused to be placed in security until he can obtain proper vouchers and formal orders for their redemption. U.S. Gazette Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), 23 January 1828 More Returned Children Implicate Joe Johnson and His Gang PHILADELPHIA, May 7. High Constable Garrigues, returned to this city on Tuesday, after an absence of nearly three months, on his second journey to Mississippi and Louisiana in pursuit of the coloured children carried off from Philadelphia in the summer of 1825. Notwithstanding the indefatigable and praiseworthy exertions of this excellent officer, he has, on this occasion, only been enabled to procure the final discharge and safe return of two of these unfortunate beings -- Clem. Coxe and E. Laurence, and they too, we learn, after great trouble, risk, and expense. The boys were examined on Wednesday in the Police Office, and their story, as to the abductions from this city, is the same as that of all the others who have been returned and examined before the Mayor. The examination results in the disclosure of the following facts: -- They were all stolen by Joseph Johnson, or his agents, gagged, tied, and transported to his house on the line between Delaware and Maryland -- treated like the meanest animals, and subsequently sold by Johnson to traders in human flesh, who again disposed of them to planters in the Southern States. The strongest documentary evidence has been furnished to teh present holders, of their identity and undoubted right of freedom, with a hope and expectation that feelings of common justice and humanity would induce their liberation. Strictly legal proof, however, is demanded, -- this consists in the evidence of white persons, to be given in open court in the state of Mississippi or Louisiana. In consequence of inability to procure such testimony, it is feared eight or ten of these poor victims are doomed to irremediable slavery. They are as notoriously entitled to freedom as any citizen of this Commonwealth. Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, PA), 28 May 1828 Mayor Watson Delivers a Detailed Report of the Investigation CITY AFFAIRS. Councils met on Thursday evening, July 10. The following letter was received from the Mayor: -- To the President and Members of the Select and Common Councils. Gentlemen: -- By a resolution of Councils of the 8th February, 1827, it was made the duty of the Mayor to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the apprehension and prosecution to conviction of each and every person concerned in the kidnapping or forcible abduction of certain coloured people from this city and its suburbs. Three of the offenders have since been arrested, two of whom died in prison before trial, & the third has been condemned to a long sentence of imprisonment at hard labour. One reward only has been paid. Johnson the well known head of the conspiracy, has not yet been apprehended. By another resolution of Councils of the same date, the sum of five hundred dollars was placed at the disposal of the Mayor for the purpose of procuring information on the subject of this outrage upon the rights of our free citizens. Pursuant to the spirit and object of these resolutions, and of my own anxious feelings in relation thereto; unceasing exertions have been made by the police of this city to bring the offenders to justice, and procure the restoration of their victims; but in these efforts we have but partially succeeded, and I regret to say that the greater number of these poor sufferers now appear to be doomed to irreclaimable bondage.-- Some few of them are dead -- four of them only remain to whom I have been able to gain access, to wit: Peter Hook, John Jacobs, james Bayard and Jacob Miller. They are now held as the property of Anthony M. Perryman, a planter in the State of Mississippi, who has been compelled to give bond for their appearance before the Circuit Court of the County of Pike, on the 4th Monday of Septembe next, as the only chance that will be afforded them of regaining their freedom, by the evidence of white persons, if such can be found to testify in their behalf. Strong intreaty has been made, and voluminous documentary proofs completely establishing their identity and right to freedom, have been already unavailingly exhibited to thier holder -- all of the boys being the sons of respectable coloured persons resident amongst us. The following named of those stolen away were found in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, and have been brought back and restored to their friends and home, viz: Enos Tilghman, Samuel Schamp, Clement Coxe, Ephraim Lawrence, Alexander Manlove, Mary Fisher, James Dailley, and Cornelius Sinclair, (Isaac Wiltbank, and Sarah Nicholson, have been given up by their holders, but have not yet returned to this City.) The missing persons are Lydia Smith, Milton Trusty, Benjamin Baxter, John Waters, John Lewis, John Dorsey, William Chase, John Carr, Levin Stevins, Daniel Stevens, Matilda McGee, Isaiah Thomas; Joseph Johnston, John D. Tindle, Isaiah Sadler, John Williams, Washington Brown, Benjamin Gray, John Dunbar, (Staten and Constant, two Corn Carriers) Peter Hook, John Jacobs, James Bayard, Jacob Willer and John Richardson. In procuring the freedom and restoration of those individuals who have been brought back, I have been greatly indebted to the zeal and exertions of high Constable Garrigues who at great risk has travelled many thousand miles by sea and land to carry into effect my orders under the resolutions of Councils, and consequently at very considerable expense, which has not only absorbed the $500 voted by Councils for the special purpose, but also the 500 annually voted to the Mayor for the police purposes, leaving a deficiency at debit of appropriation No. 12, of $643 50, for which ballance I hold myself responsible if such be the pleasure of Councils, But I do with much confidence and anticipate that the same feelings of humanity and justice that dictated the original appropriations, will place at the discretion of the Mayor such further reasonable sum as will cover this deficiency, and afford me the means of procuring the attendance of wittnesses before the Court in Mississippi in the case before mentioned. I have felt it my duty to go into detail in order that the council of the City may be fully possessed of the extent of the outrage commmitted, and of the result of the means and operations I have instituted for its redress. And in conclusion have deeply to regret that the hopes I at one time strongly entertained of the restoration of most of the unfortunate victims, are now entirely prostrate, and there is the strongest probabililty that they are doomed to slavery for life. With great respect, I am your obedient servant. JOSEPH WATSON, Mayor. Mayor's Office, June 17, 1828. In Select Council. It was resolved that the sum of fifteen hundred dollars be placed at the discretion of the Mayor, to be used in furthering the release of certain negroes, said to have been feloneously abducted from this city, and that the amound be charged to appropriation No. 11. The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 15 July 1828 Constable Garrigues Captures Another Gang Member Police Office. -- High Constable Garrigues returned yesterday, having in custody Captain John Smith, alias Thomas Collins, charged as one of the kidnappers of Johnson's gang who committed such savage inroads upon our free black children in the summer of 1825. He was arrested in the lower part of Maryland, and brought up for trial, by permission of the Executive of Maryland, on the requisition of Governor Shulze, claiming him as a fugitive from justice of this state; he was committed by the Mayor, for further hearing. We believe there are now a number of true bills of indictment for kidnapping found against this man in the Mayor's Court and Quarter Sessions. It is said that he has for the last three years been skulking between the lower part of Delaware and Maryland, in constant dread of arrest from the persevering efforts used by the police of this city. We are informed, too, by good authority, that four more of the kidnapped boys may be expected here with much certainty, in about two months, having been reclaimed from Slavery in Pike County, Mississippi. The National Gazette (Philadelphia), 4 October 1828 Port of Philadelphia Report of More Returned Children PORT OF PHILADELPHIA. ARRIVED, Brig Swan, Harding, New Orleans, 15, sugar, molasses, lead and cotton, C. Price & Morgan The Swan has brought home five coloured boys who were kidnapped from this city more than four years since. Their names are William Miller, James Miller, John Richardson, John Jacobs, and Peter Hook. The Philadelphia Inquirer, 23 January 1829 Chance Discovery Links the Patty Cannon Farm From the Wilmington (Del.) Watchman, April 10. Shocking Depravity. -- We have just received a letter from a friend in Sussex county, which furnishes a detail of a shocking course of murderous deeds which has been carried on near the Delaware and Maryland line, for some years past. A person residing on a farm belonging to one Patty Cannon, having cleared off some brush from a low piece of ground, was engaged in ploughing it, when his horse sunk into a grave, and upon removing the earth, a chest was found, in which was discovered the bones of a human body. The news soon spread abroad, and some of those who heard of the affair recollected than an individual who was in the neighborhood some years ago, had suddenly disappeared in a mysterious manner; it was immediately suspected that he had been murdered, and that the bones now discovered were his. a suspicious individual, who had formerly been an inmate in the family of Patty Cannon, and who for some time past has been residing in Maryland, was soon after apprehended in our state, and underwent an examination before a magistrate at Seaford, when he acknowledged that while he resided with Patty Cannon, she and the famous Jo. Johnson and his brother Ebenezer, murdered the individual in question, and buried the body in the chest where the late discovery had been made. He stated, moreover, that the same individuals had committed various other murders, and accompanied the officers to the place where he said the bodies had been interred, and upon removing the earth, human bodies were found buried in the manner he had described the bodies to have been deposited. Patty Cannon has been apprehended, and is now confined in the jail at Georgetown, but Jo. Johnson is said to be, at this time, residing in the state of Alabama, and his brother in Mississippi. The individual whose bones have been discovered, is said to have stated a few days before he was missed, that he had with him $35,000, with which he designed to purchase negroes; and it is supposed that the murder was committed for the purpose of obtaining the money. Further particulars will be given in our next. The National Gazette (Philadelphia), 14 April 1829 Details Emerge of the Scope of the Kidnappings and Murders Wilmington, (Del.) April 17. The murders in Sussex. -- We stated briefly in our paper of Friday last, some circumstances respecting a most diabolical course of conduct which, for some years past, has been carried on in Sussex County, in this state, the evidences of which have just been brought to light; & promised, in our next number, to give further particulars. This promise we failed to perform; one reason for which was that a family affliction called our attention to the consideration of other things, and another was that as the Court was then about commencing its session, at which the examination into the circumstances was to be made, it would be better to omit saying anything further upon the subject until after the trial would be likely to be ended. This we presume is now the case, and although we are ignorant of the result of the trial, we proceed to redeem our promise so far as we have it in our power. From our correspondent's account we gather the following particulars: About ten days previous to his writing, a tenant, who lives on the farm where Patty Cannon and her son-in-law, the celebrated Joseph Johnson, negro trader, lived for many years, in North West Fork Hundred, near the Maryland line, was ploughing in the field, in a place generally covered with water, and where a heap of brush has been laying for years, when hsi horse sunk in a grave, and on digging, he found a blue painted chest, about three feet long, and in it the bones of a man. -- The news flew like wild fire, and people from many miles around, visited the place; among whom it was universally agreed that a negro trader from Georgia, named Bell or Miller, or perhaps both, had been murdered, by Johnson and his gang, about 10 or 12 years ago, and that the bones now discovered were those of one of them; as the man or men had been missed about that time, and the horse on which one of them rode was found at Patty Cannon's, who laid claim to the animal, until a person from Maryland, who had lent the horse, came forward and claimed his property; and she alleged, at the time, that Bell or Miller had sailed a short time previous, with a cargo of negroes for the South. Since that time he has not been heard of, and it is said that a few days before he was missed, he was heard to say that he had with him fifteen thousand dollars with which he proposed to purchase negroes. The supposition now is that the knowledge of his having this money in his possession, formed the inducement to take his life, and that to conceal the body it had been deposited in the place where the bones have been found. The excitement produced by this discovery, as may naturally be supposed, was very great in the neighborhood; and on the 2d instant, one of Johnson's gang, named Cyrus James, who has resided in Maryland, was caught in this state, and brought before a justice of the Peace at Seaford, and on examination stated that Joseph Johnson, Ebenezer F. Johnson and old Patty Cannon had shot the man while at supper in her house, and that he saw them all engaged in carrying him in the chest and burying him; and stated, moreover, that many others also had been killed, and that he could show where they had been buried. The officers and citizens accordingly accompanied him to the places which he pointed out, and made the necessary search. In one place in a garden they dug and found the body of a young child, the mother of which, he stated, was a negro woman belonging to Patty Cannon, which, being a mulatto, she had killed for the reason that she supposed its father to be one of her own family. Another place, a few feet distant, was then pointed out, when upon digging a few feet, two oak boxes were found, each of which contained human bones. Those in one of them had been those of a person about seven years of age, which James said he saw Patty Cannon knock in the head with a billet of wood, and the other contained those of one whom he said they considered had property, by which, it is supposed was meant, that he was free. As there was at the time much stir about the children, and there was no convenient opportunity to send them away, they were murdered to prevent discovery. On examining the scull bone of the largest child, it was discovered to have been broken as described by James. This fellow, James, was raised by Patty Cannon, having been bound to her at the age of seven years, and is said to have done much mischief in his time for her and Johnson. Another witness by the name of Butler had already been secured; and it is thought that some others will be brought forward who are acquainted with the bloody deeds of Patty and Joe. -- This woman is now between 60 and 70 years of age, and looks more like a man than a woman; but old as she is, she is believed to be as heedless and heartless as the most abandoned wretch that breathes. As stated by us on Friday last, Patty Cannon had been lodged in the jail at Georgetown. -- James and Butler were also placed there at the same time; and it is highly probable that ere this the trial has taken place, and the result of it will soon be known. James stated that he had not shown all the places where murdered bodies had been buried, and at the time of writing, oru correspondent informs us the people were still digging. Joe Johnson, who is said to be residing, at this time, in Alabama, is stated to have been seen in this state in December or January last; and the probability is that his business here was to do something at his old business of kidnapping. He was convicted of this crime some years since at Georgetown, and suffered the punishment of the lash and the pillory on account of it. He is a man of some celebrity, having, for many years, carried on the traffic of stealing and selling negroes, in which he was aided and instructed by teh old hag, Patty Cannon, whose daughter he married, after she had lost a former husband on the gallows. He continued to reside near his tutoress until within a few years ago when a reward of $500 was offered by Mr. Watson, Mayor, of Philadelphia, when having obtained information of the fact before any others in his neighborhood he suddenly decamped, and has since been very cautious in suffering himself to be seen in that part of the country. The former husband of Joe's wife was hung for the murder of a negro trader, the plan for which is said to have been arranged at her mother's house. From the circumstances which have already taken place, it would appear probable that such developments may be expected to take place as will present the wretched actors in the scenes of blood which have taken place on the border of our state in Sussex county, as successful rivals in depravity of the infamous Burke, whose bloody deeds and recent execution in Scotland have occupied so large a portion of the public prints. -- Del Gaz. The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 21 April 1829 Grand Jury Indicts Patty Cannon, Joe Johnson and Ebenezer Johnson At the Court of Quarter Sessions recently sitting in Sussex County, the Grand Jury found three indictment against Patty Cannon for murder, and one against each of the brothers, Joe Johnson and Ebenezer Johnson, for the same crime; Patty Cannon is in custody, and will be tried, we presume, at the Court of Oyer and Terminer, in October -- the others reside out of the State. -- Journal. The Delaware Register and Farmers Manufacturers and Mechanics Advocate, 16 May 1829 Death in Prison of Patty Cannon Patty Cannon recently apprehended in Delaware, upon a charge of murdering some black persons, has escaped a trial by law, which awaited her in August next. She died in prison on the 11th instant. The editor of the Wilmington Gazette, gives the following anecdote of the miserable old woman and her co-partners in infamy. "Several black men were employed by the concern, in the business of inveigling negroes into the meshes of their net, and among the rest was one who was exceedingly expert in the business. This individual, upon one occasion, prevailed upon a man who was a slave to a person residing in Worcester county, Md. and had a free wife and seven male children, between the ages of 6 and 18 years, to accompany him to Camden, in that state, with the assurance that he would be able to procure a pass from the members of the Friends Society in that place, with which he would be enabled to pass into the state of New Jersey, and escape from the service of his master. He accordingly conducted him to the house of Patty Cannon, where he was furnished with a document with a large seal to it, and amused with the idea of being furnished with a conveyance to the place of his supposed destination. His conductor then left him, and going immediately back to his wife and children, and telling them a fine tale of the favourable situation their husband and father had procured, induced them to follow him, who were also conveyed into the same trap, and the next morning after their arrival they were all shipped off, never more to be heard of by their relations or friends. This account was furnished to our informer by another black who had been employed in the same business by the despicable concern." The United States Gazette (Philadelphia), 22 May 1829 Notes Additional Sources Smith, Eric Ledell, "Rescuing African American Kidnapping Victims in Philadelphia as Documented in the Joseph Watson Papers at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 129, No. 3 (July 2005), pp 317-345.
	The Year of Jubilee Vol. 1: Men of God and Vol. 2: Men of Muscle by George F. Nagle Both volumes of the Afrolumens book are now available to read directly from this site. Read it here

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