In reading of the journey of the former Randolph Slaves, those freed by John Randolph of Roanoke, in 1846, just under 400 in total. I wonder, could "runaways" have joined in procession along the way?

Of course there would probably be no "formal" documentation of any such action, but from Charlotte VA, across the mountains, up the Kanawha to Wheeling, down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, up the Miami Canal to Mercer County, Ohio, then back down to Miami County.....who would question the composition of such a lagre number? Did they carry individual freedom papers? Family papers? A listing/roster for the entire group?

I know there was a listing of those freed, which was filed in Charlotte County, VA, I have a copy of that list. And also the registration papers of those on that list filed in Miami County, Ohio. Since some of the former slaves "dropped off" in counties other than Miami County...was there ever a reconciliation between those leaving VA and those arriving in OH?

Just a thought.....but it follows...ESCAPE, by any means necessary.

Art Thomas