As soon as I became apprized of it, I bethought
myself that I would secure a certain sum of money which lay by me,
safer than to hire it out to Stanton. Accordingly I buried it in the
earth, a little distance from Thomas Stanton's, in the road over which
he passed daily. A short time after my master carried me to Hartford,
and first proposed to sell me to one William Hooker of that place.
Hooker asked whether I would go to the German Flats with him. I
answered, No. He said I should, if not by fair means I should by
foul. If you will go by no other measures, I will tie you down in my
sleigh. I replied to him, that if he carried me in that manner, no
person would purchase me, for it would be thought that he had a
murderer for sale. After this he tried no more, and said he would not
have me as a gift.
My master next offered me to Daniel Edwards, Esq. of Hartford, for
sale. But not purchasing me, my master pawned me to him for ten
pounds, and returned to Stonington. After some trial of my honesty,
Mr. Edwards placed considerable trust and confidence in me. He put me
to serve as his cup-bearer and waiter. When there was company at his
house, he would send me into his cellar and other parts of his house
to fetch wine and other articles occasionally for them. When I had
been with him for some time, he asked me why my master wished to part
with such an honest negro, and why he did not keep me himself.
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