Amos Fortune, Free Man facts for kids
Original cover illustration
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| Author | Elizabeth Yates |
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| Illustrator | Nora Spicer Unwin |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | E. P. Dutton, New York |
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Publication date
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1950 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 181 |
| ISBN | 0-14-034158-7 |
| OCLC | 19265732 |
| 974.4/00496073024 B 92 19 | |
| LC Class | E185.97.F73 Y3 1989 |
Amos Fortune, Free Man is a biographical novel written by Elizabeth Yates. This book won the Newbery Medal in 1951. The Newbery Medal is a very important award for excellent American children's literature. The story is about a young African prince. He was captured and brought to America as a slave. He learned a skill, bought his freedom, and lived as a free man. He died in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, in 1801.
Contents
The Story of Amos Fortune
Amos Fortune was born free in Africa around 1710. He was a young prince of a tribe called the At-mun-shi. His life was peaceful until slave traders attacked his village. His father, the chief, was killed. Young At-mun was kidnapped and forced onto a slave ship called the White Falcon. He was taken to America and sold in New England.
Life as a Slave
Once in America, At-mun was given the name 'Amos'. He was sold to a man named Caleb Copeland. The Copeland family did not treat him badly. However, Amos hated being a slave. He was determined to earn his freedom. He made a deal with Copeland to buy his freedom. But when Caleb Copeland died, his family did not honor the agreement.
So, Amos Fortune was sold again. His new owner was Ichabod Richardson. Richardson taught Amos about tanning, which is the process of making leather from animal skins. Amos became a very skilled tanner. By this time, he was about thirty years old.
Earning Freedom
Amos worked for Richardson for four years. Then, he finally saved enough money to buy his own freedom. This was a huge step for him.
After gaining his freedom, Amos married a woman named Lily. He also bought her freedom. Sadly, Lily died just one year later. Amos was very sad, but he was happy that she had died a free woman.
Later, he married another African woman named Lydia. It took him three more years to save enough money to buy her freedom. Lydia also died a year later. Again, Amos felt sad, but he was glad she had died free.
Amos then married a younger woman named Violet. He also bought freedom for Violet's daughter.
New Beginnings in Jaffrey
Amos decided to move to Jaffrey, New Hampshire. He wanted to start his own tanning business there. He faced some challenges, but he succeeded. Eventually, Amos saved enough money to buy his own land. He built a house and a barn for his business.
At one point, Amos felt very upset with his wife. He climbed Mt. Monadnock to think and find answers. He stayed there until he felt he had found peace. When he came back down, he forgave his wife. They then focused on their future. Amos bought the land he had always wanted. They built their new home and a place for Amos to work as a tanner before winter arrived. By this time, Amos was 80 years old.
The Real Amos Fortune
Amos Fortune (around 1710–1801) was a real person. He was born in Africa and sold into slavery. He finally gained his freedom when he was about 60 years old. Fortune worked very hard to build his tannery business in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. He became a respected and important member of his community. Peter Lambert's book, Amos Fortune: The Man and His Legacy, helps us understand the true historical facts. It also shows how the novel added dramatic events to tell his story.
