The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself facts for kids
Josiah Henson
|
|
| Author | Josiah Henson |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Slavery in the United States |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Published | 1849 Arthur D. Phelps, Boston |
| Followed by | Truth Stranger Than Fiction. Father Henson's Story of His Own Life |
| Text | The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself at Project Gutenberg |
The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself is a true story written by Josiah Henson. He was once enslaved but later became famous. His life story inspired the main character, Uncle Tom, in Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous 1852 novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Henson's book was published in 1849. He told his story to Samuel A. Eliot, a former mayor of Boston who was against slavery. Even though Josiah Henson was a great speaker, he had not yet learned to read or write. His book shares many details about his life as an enslaved person in the southern United States.
Contents
About the Book's Release
Josiah Henson's autobiography was first published in Boston in early 1849. A company called Arthur D. Phelps released it. In just three years, the book sold 6,000 copies!
Later, it was printed again by the Observer Press in Dresden, Ontario. This happened for the Uncle Tom's Cabin and Museum in Dresden. When people found out that Henson's story was the inspiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin, sales of his book jumped. It sold a total of 100,000 copies!
In 1851, the book also appeared in London and Edinburgh. It was called The Life of Josiah Henson, formerly a Slave: As Narrated by Himself. Today, many different publishers still print his important story.
Josiah Henson's Story
Early Life and Hardship
Josiah Henson's story begins with his childhood. He was born on June 15, 1789, in Charles County, Maryland. He lived on a farm owned by Mr. Francis N. Josiah was the youngest of six children.
His mother was enslaved by Dr. Josiah McP. However, she was often hired out to Mr. N, who owned Josiah's father. Josiah's earliest memory was seeing his father badly beaten. He later learned that his father had been punished for defending his mother from a white man. This was against the law in Maryland. His father's ear was cut off, and he received many lashes. After this, his father was sold away.
Dr. McP stopped hiring out Josiah's mother. Josiah lived with his mother for a few years. He remembered this time on Dr. McP's farm as some of his happiest. His mother taught him about God, often reciting the Lord's Prayer.
Sadly, Dr. McP died after an accident. His enslaved people, including Josiah and his family, were then divided and sold. Josiah's mother watched her other five children sold away. Then, Mr. R (Isaac Riley) bought her. When it seemed Josiah would not be bought, his mother begged Mr. R. But Mr. R ignored her. Josiah was sold to another master. However, when Josiah became sick, that master sold him to Mr. Riley as well.
Life on Mr. Riley's Farm
Josiah was still young when he arrived at Mr. Riley's farm. At first, he did small jobs, like bringing water to the workers. As he grew "older and taller," he began working in the fields. Josiah described the daily life of an enslaved person. Meals were given twice a day. They usually had cornmeal and salted fish, or vegetables they grew themselves. Breakfast was at noon, after working since daylight. Dinner was after the workday ended.
Children received one piece of rough cloth for clothes. Older people received a pair of pants or a gown, a hat every few years, and sometimes a jacket. They slept in small log huts. These huts offered little protection from the cold and damp.
By age 15, Josiah was strong and athletic. He was full of energy. He found he could "run faster and farther, wrestle longer, and jump higher" than others. He was also very clever. Because he was obedient and useful, Mr. Riley allowed him to attend a sermon his mother suggested.
At the sermon, Josiah heard a Bible verse that changed his life: Hebrews 2:9. It said that Jesus "should taste of death for every man." Josiah was deeply moved that Jesus cared for everyone, even an enslaved person like him. This was the first time he had heard such a message. He learned that Christ died to save the whole world, including the poor and the enslaved. Josiah remembered that day as his "Awakening to a new life."
A Serious Injury
After this, Josiah shared a story about a difficult event. His master, Mr. Riley, often went to gatherings on Saturday and Sunday evenings. He and the other men would bring an enslaved person to help if a fight broke out, or to get them home if they drank too much. One night, Mr. Riley fought with his brother's overseer, Mr. L. Josiah, doing his duty, helped his master get home.
Mr. L felt Josiah had been too rough. Later, Mr. L and two other enslaved people attacked Josiah. They beat him, and Josiah struggled to fight back due to his youth and strength. In the end, Josiah was badly hurt and lost full movement in his arms. He never fully recovered. Mr. Riley tried to get justice for Josiah's injury, but Mr. L claimed self-defense.
Becoming an Overseer and a Chance for Freedom
Josiah worked as an overseer for the rest of his time on the plantation. As an overseer, the enslaved people he worked with received better food and care. Mr. Riley profited from Josiah's skills. At age 22, Josiah married a skilled and capable woman from a nearby family. He wrote that in their 40 years of marriage, they had twelve children, and he never regretted their union.
In 1825, Mr. Riley faced financial problems. He was sued by a relative. Desperate, he begged Josiah to help him. Josiah, feeling a sense of duty, agreed. Mr. Riley then asked him to take 18 enslaved people to his brother in Kentucky on foot.
During the journey, they passed through Ohio, which was a free state. People they met told Josiah that he and the others could be free if they wished. However, Josiah said he never thought of running away. He believed the only right way to gain freedom was to buy it from his master. He felt it was a matter of honor.
Life in Kentucky and Becoming a Preacher
They arrived in Daviess County, Kentucky, in April 1825, at the farm of Mr. Amos Riley. Josiah was 36 years old. This new farm was larger, with many enslaved people. There was plenty of food, and Josiah had more chances to attend religious events. From 1825 to 1828, he studied and eventually became a preacher for the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1828, his master decided to sell all the enslaved people except Josiah and his family.
Later that summer, Josiah met a Methodist preacher. The preacher believed Josiah was too capable to remain enslaved. He suggested a way for Josiah to earn money to buy his freedom. The preacher told Josiah to get permission to travel back to his master in Maryland. He promised to help Josiah find a way to buy himself.
So, in September 1828, Josiah traveled back to Maryland. Along the way, he gave talks and was paid for them. By the time he returned, he had saved $275. He also had a good horse and better clothes than his master in Maryland. He began to put his plans for freedom into action.
He met with Mr. Frank, his mistress's brother in Maryland. They had become good friends when Josiah was an overseer. Mr. Frank agreed to help Josiah negotiate for his freedom.
Almost Free
Eventually, Mr. Riley agreed to give Josiah his freedom papers for $450. Josiah had enough cash for most of it, with $100 left to pay later. On March 9, 1829, Josiah received his papers and prepared to return to Kentucky. But as he was leaving, his master stopped him.
Mr. Riley asked Josiah what he would do with the certificate if he was stopped on the road. Josiah said he would show it. Mr. Riley warned him that someone might steal the paper, destroy it, and then throw him into prison, sending him back into slavery. Instead, Mr. Riley suggested Josiah travel on a pass given by Mr. Amos. He said the freedom papers would be sent to Mr. Amos.
Josiah took the advice and traveled on his pass. When he arrived in Kentucky, he realized his mistake. Mr. Riley had tricked him. Instead of owing $100, Mr. Riley had changed the amount to $1000. Josiah was deeply saddened and angered by this betrayal.
Josiah continued to work. Later, Mr. Amos took him on a work trip. Josiah worried he might be sold or worse. During the trip, Josiah had a moment of intense despair. He thought about harming Mr. Amos. But at the last moment, he stopped himself. A thought came to him: "What! Commit murder! Are you a Christian?"
Josiah did not commit the act. Soon after, Mr. Amos became very sick. He begged Josiah for help, and Josiah cared for him. Josiah attended to all his needs. Mr. Amos was so sick that Josiah had to nurse him for twelve days until they returned home to Kentucky.
Escaping to Canada
Mr. Amos slowly recovered at home. As soon as he could speak, he told his family how well Josiah had treated him. He said that if he had sold Josiah, he would have died. The family acknowledged Josiah's help. However, Josiah still believed they might try to sell him again. So, he began to plan his escape to Canada with his family.
It took some convincing, but his wife eventually agreed to his plan. She made a large bag big enough to carry their two smallest children on his back. In the days before, Josiah practiced walking with them in the bag so they could get used to it. His wife would lead their second-oldest boy, and their oldest son, Tom, would walk and help carry food.
In mid-September, at 9 PM, they were ready. A kind enslaved person helped them cross the river to the Indiana shore. Once there, they traveled at night for two weeks until they reached Cincinnati. They were "kindly received" and stayed for several days before heading north again.
Low on supplies and in unfamiliar territory, they continued traveling by night. While walking, they met a group of Native Americans. The Native Americans ran away at first, perhaps never having seen a Black person before. They returned with their chief. After the chief realized Josiah's group was human, they were welcomed warmly. They were given food and allowed to rest in a wigwam.
With the Native Americans' help, they found their way north through the woods. Soon, they found a boat with men loading corn. The captain, a Scotsman, welcomed them and agreed to take them to Buffalo. Once in Buffalo, the captain paid for their ferry to Waterloo, which is now part of Fort Erie. Today, a small place called Freedom Park marks where they landed.
A New Life in Canada
On October 28, 1830, Josiah and his family reached Canada. When they stepped ashore, Josiah threw himself on the ground, rolling in excitement. A man nearby thought he was having a seizure and asked if he was okay. Josiah jumped up and shouted that he was Free! Soon, he began looking for a place to live and work.
Josiah was directed to Mr. Hibbard, who hired him. Mr. Hibbard leased him a small, run-down two-story place where pigs had been living. After getting rid of the pigs, Josiah spent the day cleaning it. At the end of the day, he brought his family to the house. "Though there was nothing but walls and floors," Josiah wrote, "we were all in a state of great delight." His wife laughed and agreed it was worth the effort.
Over the next three years, they settled into a comfortable life. Mr. Hibbard was happy with Josiah's work, and Mrs. Hibbard and Mrs. Henson became friends.
Mr. Hibbard sent Tom, Josiah's oldest son, to school. The schoolmaster kindly gave Tom extra lessons, so Tom learned to read and write very well. Once Josiah started preaching again, he would ask Tom to read Bible verses to him privately and during sermons. One day, Tom asked Josiah a question his father couldn't answer. Tom realized his father couldn't read. So, Tom decided to teach him.
Building a Black Colony
Over time, Josiah Henson began the important work he became known for. He and some friends decided they wanted to create a community where they could grow their own crops and food. They found a piece of government land near Lake Erie. The land was owned by a Mr. McCormick, who had not followed the rules for his land grant. They decided to buy it from him and the government. Over the next six years, many Black people continued to move from the United States to this new community in Canada.
