TORONTO Sept 14th 1854
MY DEAR FRIEND STILL: — this are the first oppertunity that
I have had to write you since I Recd your letter of the 20th July. there have
been sickness and Death in my family since your letter was Recd. our dear
little Child have been taken from us one whom we loved so very Dear. but the
almighty God knows what are best for us all.
Louis Henry Hill, was born in Petersburg Va May 7th 1852.
and Died Toronto August 19th 1854 at
five o'clock P. M.
Dear Still I could say much about the times and insidince
that have taken place since the coming of that dear little angle jest spoken
of. it was 12 months and 3 days from the time that I took departure of my wife
and child to proceed to Richmond to awaits a conveyance up to the day of his
death.
it was thursday the 13th that I lift Richmond. it was
saturday the 15th that I land to my great joy in the city of Phila. then I put
out for Canada. I arrived in this city on Friday the 30th and to my great satisfaction.
I found myself upon Briton's free land. not only free for the white man bot for
all.
this day 12 months I was not out of the reach the slaveholders,
but this 14th day of Sept. I am as Free as your President Pearce. only I have
not been free so long However the 30th of the month I will have been free only
12 months.
It is true that I have to work very hard for comfort but I
would not exchange with ten thousand slave thet are equal with their masters. I
am Happy, Happy.
Give love to Mrs. Still. My wife laments her child's death
too much. wil you be so kind as to see Mr. Brown and ask him to write to me,
and if he have heard from Petersburg Va.
Yours truly
J. H. HILL.
SOURCES: William Still, The Underground
Railroad: A Record of Facts, Authentic Narratives, Letters &c., p. 197
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