NJ Pine Barrens Maritime-Culture-Landscape 1 1 2024

In boats marked by a yellow light hung below a blue light
William Still
During his 14 year service providing aid and
comfort as a “station master” to Southern
slaves on a journey to freedom William Still
recorded hundreds of interviews.
One narrative “Crossing the Delaware Bay in
a Skiff” tells of 4 escaping slaves over the
Delaware Bay. Crossing took more then 15
hours. They had no knowledge of Delaware
Bay and were bewildered and in a state of
despair when discovered by an Delaware Bay
Oyster Boat. Oyster Boat Captain took them
on board and ferried them to the Port of
Philadelphia
William Still Underground Rail Road Narratives
crossing the Delaware Bay and Coastwise
- Captain F. and the Mayor of Norfolk TWENTY-
ONE PASSENGERS SECRETED IN A BOAT.
NOVEMBER, 1855
- Crossing the Bay in a Batteau - Delaware to
Cape May
- Arrival of Five from the Eastern Shore of
Maryland SEPTEMBER 28, 1856.
- Captain F. Arrives with Fourteen “Prime
Articles” on Board WILMINGTON, 3d mo.,
23d, 1856.
- Arrival from Fifteen from Norfolk, Virginia PER
SCHOONER—TWICE SEARCHED—LANDED AT
LEAGUE ISLAND
Harriet Tubman
Tubman came from the Eastern
Shore of Maryland, very close to
the western side of Delaware Bay.
Her knowledge of New Jersey may
have come from historic ties
between blacks of the Eastern
Shore and the Delaware Bayshore.
She escorted groups of slaves
from the Eastern Shore of
Maryland to Philadelphia and as
far north as St. Catharines,
Canada (now Ontario).
It is believed that Tubman’s
spent the summers between 1849
and 1852 in Cape May, and
winters in St. Catharines.
Rancocas Pathways 159