[Indexed as: (Dredden case), “Kidnapping!!” Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia, Pa.), Jul. 24. 1817]

Parents! Fathers! MOTHERS You know how to feel for those who have children. Arrest the monsters in the shape of men: they have broken down my spirit with grief.. Stop the Kidnappers! For although I am black, I have a heart like you, and they have pierced it thro’ with sorrow – they have stolen my children!

Affidavit of Stephen Dredden.

Be it remembered, that on the 18th day of July, 1817, voluntarily appeared before Wattson Pepper, one of the justices of the Peace in and for Sussex County, in the State of Delaware, STEPHEN DREDDEN, a free negro, of Broad Creek hundred, in said county, and being sworn, doth depose and declare.

That on the 20th day of June last past, two of his children were stolen, kidnapped and taken from his house, and carried into the state of Maryland, and that he doth believe, from the information given to him, that they are concealed and held by one George Dashields, a negro trader, residing on Yenmica river, at the lower ferry, unless he has sent them to the southern market – That he has been informed and doth believe believe, that William Riggen, son Isaac, and William Ranning, and some others, not necessary to name, were concerned in the offence – That the circumstances are nearly as follow. Willen Riggen and William Banning each obtained warrants from a Justice of the Peace against Deponent, on pretended claim, and on the aforesaid 26th of June last, was the day for trial – That previous day, Riggen & Banning did all their power to impress the Deponent the absolute necessity of Deponent’s going to Laurel – That on Thursday before the day of trial, Sarah Moore, who lives about two hundred yards from Deponent’s house, came in and persuaded Deponent to go to Laurel, and advised Deponent’s wife also to go, and said that unless she [Italic] went the traders would attempt to steal Deponent. The next morning (Friday) She (Sarah Moore) came in, very early, and again pressed upon Deponent’s wife to go, and said she would take the children to her house to keep them. After nine o’clock, Deponent and his wife started for Laurel, and left his five children in the care of Sarah Moore. And this Deponent’s daughter, about nine year’s old, has informed Deponent, which he doth believe. That in about one hour Deponent and wife left his house, she said Sarah Moore went into the woods; and when she returned she ordered Deponent’s daughter to put down the child, fourteen months old, and leave it in the care of the next oldest, about five years old, until she, the said Sarah, Deponent’s daughter, and two sons, should go into the woods after fuel for the fire.

The Deponent’s daughter refused, and then she took Deponent’s two sons into the woods, and returned without them, and remained until Deponent returned from Laurel, without giving herself any concern about the children, only stating to Deponent’s daughter that she had left them hunting after birds nests. But Deponent believes, that his children were delivered over to Riggen, Banning and two others by the said Sarah Moore, because they (meaning Riggen, and Banning, &c.) were seen to pass the mill-dam of Mr. Quillen about that time of the day, going towards Deponent’s house, and they are all known to be negro traders. Deponent’s children were all taken to a wood, where they were concealed until night when they were seen about ten o’clock pass towards Maryland, in the possession of the parties. William Riggen and William Banning arrived at Laurel after the negroes were secured in the woods, and before they could be ready for trial, were seen privately talking with George Moore, a negro trader, at which time Deponent believes the bargain was made for the sale of his children. That after the trials were ended, which was about half an hour before sunset (and were intentionally delayed by Riggen and Banning). Deponent and his wife started for home where they arrived about dark, expecting to finf their children safe, and without any fears about them.

But with what sorrow and anguish of soul, we found our children gone, we leave to other parents to describe. All the consolation offered by Sarah Moore, was, “don’t grieve about your children, it is not worth while, for you will never see them any more.” The lamentations and cries were made, brought our neighbors, from two miles, to our house, and they were unable to resist the feelings which so much affected us. They involuntarily burst forth into lamentations and shed tears of grief. They were parents and had children, and they saw that we, though black, were parents too, and felt as such. Being such, the Deponent and his wife, appeal to all men to interest themselves to aid in the discovery of his lost children. –

One of them is named Sampson, and is about eleven years old, very dark, and had, when kidnapped, a bad cut on his fore finger on his right hand, and lately had his hair cut close. The other is named Jonathan, about seven years old, and has lost all his upper fore teeth, and is also very dark. They have been kidnapped, and are intended for the Southern States or New-Orleans. The Deponent requests all the News-paper Editors, to the south of Delaware, to publish this affidavit, and if it should be the means of giving information, so that he can obtain his said children, he will remember them in his prayers to Almighty God, so long as he lives.

His

STEPHEN + DREDDEN

Mark

Sworn to, and subscribed before me the Subscriber the 18th day of July, 1817.

WATTSON PEPPER, J. P.