Twelve Years A Slave: With an Introductory Chapter by William H. Crogman - Softcover

Douglass, Frederick; Northup, Solomon

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1409763161 ISBN 13: 9781409763161

Publisher: Read & Co. History, 2020

Synopsis

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

About this title

From the Back Cover

This story of the abduction of a free Negro adult from the North and his enslavement in the South--provides a sensational element which cannot be matched in any of the dozens of narratives written by former slaves. 'Think of it: For thirty years a man, wit all man's hopes, fears and aspirations--with a wife and children to call him by the endearing names of husband and father--with a home, humble it may be, but still a home...then for twelve years a thing, a chattel personal, classed with mules and horses....Oh! it is horrible. It chills the blood to think that such are.'

About the Author

Solomon Northup was born a free man in Saratogo Springs, New York in 1808. His father, Mintus, had been a slave in his early life in service to the Northup family. When Mintus' master, Captain Henry Northup freed him in 1797, Mintus took the surname Northup as his own. Mintus was successful as a free man, meeting New York State's property requirements for black male voters, and was one of the few African-American's eligible to vote. Also, his children received a level of education that was considered high for blacks at that time. On Christmas Day of 1829, Solomon married Anne Hampton. Solomon held many jobs to provide for his wife and three children. He owned a farm, played the violin in upscale hotels, and worked as a carpenter. In 1841, Solomon met two men who offered him employment as a fiddler for several performances in New York City. Solomon was then persuaded to travel to Washington d.c., where slavery was legal. When they arrived, Solomon was drugged, beaten, and placed on a ship to New Orleans where he was sold to William Ford. Solomon worked for two other owners, before he was sold to Edwin Epps. Here, Solomon toiled for ten years on a cotton plantation under the cruelty of Epps' whip. In 1852, a Canadian carpenter named Samuel Bass came to work for Epps. When Solomon overheard Bass talking about his abolitionist views, Solomon confided his story to him. Under great personal risk, Bass wrote letters to Solomon's friends. In cooperation with the Governor of New York, and the Senator of Louisiana, Captain Henry Northup's son secured Solomon's freedom from Epps. On January 4, 1853, Solomon returned home to his family. His attempt at taking his abductors to trial did not succeed, as he was prohibited from testifying against white men in a Washington court of law. He spent the remaining years of his life giving lectures on slavery. To this day, there is no public record of how and when Solomon Northup died.

Edition details

• Publisher: Read & Co. History
• Publication date: 2020
• ISBN 10: 1409763161
• ISBN 13: 9781409763161
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 273