Deposition of Aaron R. Levening, July 7, 1863

State of Missouri  }

County of Marion }

        Aaron R. Levening of lawful age a resident of the city of Hannibal in the County & State aforesaid being duly sworn, deposes & says, that he knows that five of the negro Slaves of Gilchrist Porter, one named one named Squire, aged about 21 years, and another named Winston, aged about 15 years of a bright black color, and a dark colored woman aged about 27 years & her two children, one a boy, Fred, by name, aged four and the other a girl Mary Ellen by name aged 2 two years owing service & labor to said Porter escaped from his possession in Hannibal and went into Illinois. The first named about the 22nd day of March 1863 and the others about    May 1863. That he was then residing with said Porter and has personal knowledge of said Porter’s ownership of said slaves. And of their escape from said owner in said state and believes they escaped into Illinois where they are now (as he believes) He knows said negroes & has known them for several years past. The general description of them is as follows, The said boy Squire is about 20 or 21 years old, of a light black (or brown) color, rather under the medium size but is intelligent [illegible] & [illegible] the said boy "Winston" is aged about 15 year of about the same complexion tolerably well grown and rather an active intelligent boy. Said woman "Bett" is sister of said boy "Squire" but darker in color and rather wider the medium size, but an active & sprightly house servant and siad children rather under the ? size in proportion to age & about the same color of their said mother. 

             A.R. Levering

   The above and within statements were sworn to and subscribed before me a justice of the peace in and for the county of Marion in the State of Missouri on the 7th day July 1863          Thos B.Band[partly illegible]

                                                                                                                   Mo