In this way I spent seven months with J.K., and should have continued
longer, agreeably to his urgent solicitation, but I felt that life was
fast wearing, and that as I was now free, I must adventure in search of
knowledge. On leaving J.K., he kindly gave me the following certificate,--

"East Nautmeal, Chester County, Pennsylvania, _Tenth Month 5th, 1828._

"I hereby certify, that the bearer, J.W.C. Pennington, has been in my
employ seven months, during most of which time I have been from home,
leaving my entire business in his trust, and that he has proved a highly
trustworthy and industrious young man. He leaves with the sincere regret
of myself and family; but as he feels it to be his duty to go where he
can obtain education, so as to fit him to be more useful, I cordially
commend him to the warm sympathy of the friends of humanity wherever a
wise providence may appoint him a home.

Signed,

"J.K."

Passing through Philadelphia, I went to New York, and in a short time
found employ on Long Island, near the city. At this time, the state of
things was extremely critical in New York. It was just two years after the
general emancipation in that state. In the city it was a daily occurrence
for slaveholders from the southern states to catch their slaves, and by
certificate from Recorder Riker take them back. I often felt serious
apprehensions of danger, and yet I felt also that I must begin the world
somewhere.

I was earning respectable wages, and by means of evening schools and