Basil Dorsey facts for kids

Basil Dorsey (born around 1808 – died February 15, 1872) was a brave man who escaped slavery. He was born in Libertytown, Maryland. He ran away to Bristol, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Florence, Massachusetts. He lived there for the rest of his life.

Basil Dorsey's Early Life in Maryland

Basil Dorsey was born in 1808 in Libertytown, Maryland. When he was enslaved, his name was Ephraim Costly. He was owned by Sabrick Sollers. Basil married an enslaved woman named Louisa. They had two children in Maryland: Eliza (born 1834) and John Richard (born 1836).

Basil was promised freedom when Sabrick Sollers died. But when Sollers passed away in 1834, Basil was instead bought by Sollers' son, Thomas. Thomas Sollers offered to sell Basil his freedom for $350. When Basil found someone to help pay, Thomas raised the price to $500.

Basil was encouraged to escape. So, on May 14, 1836, he started his journey North. He traveled with his brothers, Thomas, Charles, and William. His brother Thomas later became a famous caterer in Philadelphia. Thomas's son, William Henry Dorsey, became an artist and collected important Black history documents.

Escape to Pennsylvania and a Big Trial

The four brothers traveled through Pennsylvania. They went to Gettysburg, then Harrisburg, and Reading. Finally, they reached Bristol, Pennsylvania. There, they worked on the farm of Robert Purvis, who was against slavery. Thomas preferred city life, while Charles and William lived with other farmers. Basil stayed with Purvis.

In July 1837, Basil's brother-in-law told slave-hunters where Basil was. These hunters were hired by Thomas Sollers. They found Basil at Purvis's farm and had him arrested. When Robert Purvis heard about Basil's arrest, he quickly helped William and Charles escape to New Jersey. From there, they went to Canada to be free. Thomas had also been caught and sent back to Maryland. But friends in Philadelphia quickly raised $1000 to buy his freedom. He returned to Philadelphia and lived there as a popular caterer.

Robert Purvis brought a lawyer named Thomas Ross to court. Basil's wife and children, who had recently joined him in Pennsylvania, also came. They asked the judge, Judge Fox, to delay the case. They said Basil had freedom papers with a friend. Judge Fox agreed to wait two weeks. Purvis felt the judge was sympathetic to Basil. He later wrote about Basil's wife and children in court, saying they looked very sad.

During those two weeks, Basil stayed in jail. Robert Purvis worked hard to get legal help. He found a famous lawyer named David Paul Brown, who agreed to defend Basil for free. Purvis also told local African-American people about the trial. He encouraged them to come and support Basil.

During the trial, Sollers offered to sell Basil for $500. When Purvis agreed, Sollers raised the price to $800. When Purvis agreed again, Sollers raised it to $1000. Basil then spoke up, saying, "Do not pay it. I am prepared to take my life in court, if the case goes against me, for I will never go back to slavery."

A young lawyer named Abel M. Griffith represented Thomas Sollers. He showed documents proving Sollers owned Basil. He argued that Sollers had the right to take Basil back. It looked like the court would side with Sollers. But then David Paul Brown stood up. He demanded that Griffith show proper proof that slavery was legal in Maryland. Griffith left and returned with a book called The Laws of Maryland. Brown said it was not a certified copy. Griffith asked for more time, but Judge Fox dismissed the case.

Purvis immediately took Basil to his mother's home in Philadelphia. Soon after, they traveled to New York to find a safer place.

Life in New York and Massachusetts

In New York, Basil met Joshua Leavitt, an editor, and David Ruggles. They told him to go to Northampton, Massachusetts. He stayed there for a few days. Then, Colonel Samuel Parsons took him to Charlemont, Massachusetts. Basil lived on the farm of Roger Hooker Leavitt (Joshua Leavitt's father) for about six years. During this time, he and Louisa had their third child, Charles Robert, in 1838. Sadly, Louisa died two months later and was buried in the town cemetery.

Settling in Florence, Massachusetts

In January 1844, Basil moved with his children to Florence, Massachusetts. It was called Bensonville back then. He started working at the Bensonville Manufacturing Company. This company was run by George W. Benson, who helped start the Northampton Association of Education and Industry. George Benson was also related to William Lloyd Garrison, another person who fought against slavery.

On November 12, 1849, Basil bought a piece of land in Bensonville for $35. He built a home there. This house was later bought by Mary Jones in 1852. Today, the Dorsey–Jones House is a historic site.

Basil worked as a "teamster" at the cotton mill. A teamster is someone who drives a team of animals, like horses, to pull wagons. He also did other jobs. His job meant a lot of traveling. This became very dangerous after The Fugitive Slave Act was passed in 1850. This law made it easier for slave catchers to find and return escaped slaves. Basil often visited Boston and Providence, where slave catchers were more common.

A month after the law passed, Basil and nine other escaped slaves publicly asked local people to help them resist being returned to the South. Basil and his friends strongly believed that they should not have to pay for their natural right to be free. But with the new law, Basil was in much greater danger while working. So, his friends in Northampton and Florence gathered $150. With $50 of Basil's own money, he officially bought his freedom on May 14, 1851. This was fifteen years after his escape. The bill of sale was given to George Griscom, a lawyer in Philadelphia, who then officially freed Basil.

Basil Dorsey married again to a woman named Cynthia. They had 11 children together. He passed away in Florence on February 15, 1872. He is buried with his daughter Louisa in Park Street Cemetery in Florence, Massachusetts.