Joseph Cassey Bustill facts for kids

Joseph Cassey Bustill (born in 1822, died in 1895) was an African American leader who helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad. He mainly worked in Philadelphia, helping people find safety and freedom.

Early Life and Family

Joseph Cassey Bustill was born in Philadelphia in 1822. His parents were David Bustill and Elizabeth W. Hicks. They were part of a well-known family of people of color. Joseph's father had English, African, and Lenape ancestors.

Joseph had a brother named Charles Hicks Bustill (1816–1890). Charles also became very important in the Underground Railroad.

Joseph married Sarah Humphreys (1829-?). They had a daughter named Anna Amelia Bustill (1862-1945). Joseph worked as a school teacher. Like his brother, he strongly believed that slavery should end. He became very active in the Underground Railroad. He was known as a "shipping agent." This meant he helped arrange safe places and ways for people escaping slavery to travel.

Working for Freedom

Joseph C. Bustill was part of a group of activists in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. He supported many famous people who spoke out against slavery before the American Civil War. He also worked as a teacher in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He helped start the First Colored Presbyterian Church there.

His daughter, Anna Bustill Smith, wrote about her father. She said he was a great writer and speaker. She also mentioned he was very young, only seventeen, when he joined the Underground Railroad. She was proud that he added to the "honor and glory" of Philadelphia.

During his time with the Underground Railroad, Joseph C. Bustill helped more than 1,000 people escape slavery. He worked closely with William Still. William Still was the leader of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Joseph also worked with other Underground Railroad agents in Harrisburg, like Thomas Morris Chester and William and Mary Jones.

Secret Messages and Help

Joseph C. Bustill often wrote letters to William Still. These letters were like secret messages about the people he was helping. They show how dangerous and important their work was.

For example, in one letter from March 24, 1856, Joseph told Still about eight people he sent. He called them "packages." He asked Still for updates on their journey. He also mentioned that they had just started a "Fugitive Slave Society" in Harrisburg. He wanted to know what secret signs or symbols Still used in his messages. He explained that they sent people by a faster train route to gain time, because the slave owners were close behind.

In another letter from March 28, 1856, Joseph wrote about an owner trying to get his slaves back. The owner offered to free them later or sell them their freedom for a lot of money. Joseph wanted Still to help him get a message to the escaped people. He hoped to make the owner spend more money and give up.

On May 26, 1856, Joseph wrote about new travel plans. He said they would use a faster "Lightning Train" for future escapes. This train left Harrisburg at 1:30 AM and arrived in Philadelphia at 5:00 AM. He would send a telegraph message later in the day to let Still know. He also mentioned that the owner, John Fiery, had visited again. Fiery was very upset to learn that the people he was looking for had made it safely to Canada.

These letters show how carefully Joseph and his partners planned and communicated to help people find freedom.