My cousins Orilla and Joseph Thompson (siblings) are the children of Zebedee Thompson who is listed as the property of Gov. Robert F.W. Allston in the Inve ntory and Appraisement of the Personal Estate of the Late Hon. R.F.W. Allston (SC Historical Society, Charleston, SC). Orilla & Joseph live in Philadelphia, PA. However, I can contact them for you via telephone or regular mail. They might say that Zebedee was never a slave, because of his dignified, stylish, gentleman-like, upper class appearance in a photograph. Also, since Zebedee was born in 1863, he probably did not experience much of the harshness of slavery. In addition, Zebedee's parents -- Nelson & Nellie Thompson -- were mulattos who were "privileged slaves" as stated in Them Dark Days: Slavery in the American Rice Swamps by William Dusinberre (Oxford Univ. Press, 1996). The main reason they say Zeb was not a slave is because they, like many people look down upon slaves when they should scorn plantation owners and their evil, criminal actions. Sincerely, Diana R. Thompson PO Box 7137 NY, NY 10116-7137 (212) 368-8293 DianaPoet@aol.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOW AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE A REASON TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY On July 4, 1864, Stephen Gallant, his wife Lizzie, and their children Cotta, Morris, Stephen Jr., Mary Anne, and Cecil, escaped from slavery to freedom. This is the only recorded escape by an intact family on this date. Stephen had worked as the valet for SC Gov. Robert F.W. Allston, who owned several plantations in Georgetown County, SC. Stephen traveled widely with the Governor. He was a trusted and "privileged slave." However, he apparently experienced a higher calling. The family's escape involved staying overnight in an alligator-infested swamp. In the morning, they ran, hid, and rowed along the Great Pee Dee River into the Atlantic Ocean. A Union ship rescued their small boat. Gov. Allston built a chapel on one of his plantations, because he noticed that religion pacified the slaves (Read Down By the Riverside: A South Carolina Slave Community by Charles Joyner, published by Urbana, 1984). However, the sermons and Bible lessons apparently infused Stephen and his kin with faith, strength, and courage. The escape is mentioned in Them Dark Days: Slavery in the American Rice Swamps by William Dusinberre (Oxford University Press, 1996), Chronicles of Chicora Wood by Elizabeth Allston Pringle (pp. 170-173), and the Inventory and Appraisement of the Personal Estate of the Late Hon. R.F.W. Allston (SC Historical Society, Charleston, SC). Diana R. Thompson, a cousin of Stephen, is writing a book for children and a screenplay about this great escape. # # #