James Smith, who was enslaved as a field hand in Virginia, in his 1852 interview by Henry Bibb states he, a refugee from slavery, has met with the unspeakable joy of finding his wife in Canada, after an absence of 17 years. About sixteen years ago, Mr. Smith was held in the State of Virginia, by one Wm. Wright, who was a hard master.  While he was the slave of this man, he became a convert to the Christian religion, and made application to the Baptist Church one Sabbath-day to be admitted into the church and the ordinances of baptism” but the minister refused to have anything to do with him until he could see Br. Wright (his master), who was a member of the same church, about it. Hired out–Religious experience, conversion–Work as an exhorter– A slave prayer meeting–Over worked–A ludicrous accident–Love of dress–Love of freedom–Death of my master–Religious exercises forbidden–A stealthy meeting–The surprise–Fairfield Church–Quarterly meeting– Nancy Merrill–A religious meeting and a deliverance–Sleeping at my post.