Twelve Years a Slave

by Solomon Northup

—Cowper.

  Poem from original 1853 publication

  Table of Contents

  EDITOR’S PREFACE

  CHAPTER I.

  Introductory—Ancestry—The Northup Family—Birth and Parentage—Mintus Northup—Marriage with Anne Hampton—Good Resolutions—Champlain Canal—Rafting Excursion to Canada—Farming—The Violin—Cooking—Removal to Saratoga —Parker and Perry—Slaves and Slavery—The Children—The Beginning of Sorrow,

  CHAPTER II.

  The Two Strangers—The Circus Company—Departure from Saratoga—Ventriloquism and Legerdemain—Journey to New-York—Free Papers—Brown and Hamilton—The Haste to Reach the Circus—Arrival in Washington—Funeral of Harrison—The Sudden Sickness—The Torment of Thirst—The Receding Light—Insensibility—Chains and Darkness,

  CHAPTER III.

  Painful Meditations—James H. Burch—Williams’ Slave Pen in Washington—The Lackey, Radburn—Assert my Freedom—The Anger of the Trader—The Paddle and Cat-o’-nine-tails—The Whipping—New Acquaintances—Ray, Williams, and Randall—Arrival of Little Emily and her Mother in the Pen—Maternal Sorrows—The Story of Eliza,

  CHAPTER IV.

  Eliza’s Sorrows—Preparation to Embark—Driven through the Streets of Washington—Hail, Columbia—The Tomb of Washington—Clem Ray—The Breakfast on the Steamer—The Happy Birds—Aquia Creek—Fredericksburgh—Arrival in Richmond —Goodin and his Slave Pen—Robert, of Cincinnati—David and his Wife—Mary And Lethe—Clem’s Return—His Subsequent Escape to Canada—The Brig Orleans—James H. Burch,

  CHAPTER V.

  Arrival at Norfolk—Frederick and Maria—Arthur, the Freeman—Appointed Steward —Jim, Cuffee, and Jenny—The Storm—Bahama Banks—The Calm—The Conspiracy—The Long Boat—The Small-Pox—Death of Robert—Manning, the Sailor—The Meeting in the Forecastle—The Letter—Arrival at New-Orleans—Arthur’s Rescue—Theophilus Freeman, the Consignee—Platt—First Night in the New-Orleans Slave Pen,

  CHAPTER VI.

  Freeman’s Industry—Cleanliness and Clothes—Exercising in the Show Room—The Dance—Bob, the Fiddler—Arrival of Customers—Slaves Examined—The Old Gentleman of New-Orleans—Sale of David, Caroline, and Lethe—Parting of Randall and Eliza—Small-Pox—The Hospital—Recovery and Return To Freeman’s Slave Pen—The Purchaser of Eliza, Harry, and Platt—Eliza’s Agony On Parting from Little Emily,

  CHAPTER VII.

  The Steamboat Rodolph—Departure from New-Orleans—William Ford—Arrival at Alexandria, on Red River—Resolutions—The Great Pine Woods—Wild Cattle—Martin’s Summer Residence—The Texas Road—Arrival at Master Ford’s—Rose—Mistress Ford—Sally and Her Children—John, the Cook—Walter, Sam, and Antony—The Mills on Indian Creek—Sabbath Days—Sam’s Conversion—The Profit of Kindness—Rafting—Adam Taydem, the Little White Man—Cascalla and his Tribe—The Indian Ball—John M. Tibeats—The Storm approaching,

  CHAPTER VIII.

  Ford’s Embarrassments—The Sale to Tibeats—The Chattel Mortgage—Mistress Ford’s Plantation on Bayou Boeuf—Description of the Latter—Ford’s Brother-in-Law, Peter Tanner—Meeting with Eliza—She Still Mourns for her Children—Ford’s Overseer, Chapin—Tibeats’ Abuse—The Keg of Nails—The First Fight with Tibeats —His Discomfiture and Castigation—The Attempt to Hang Me—Chapin’s Interference and Speech—Unhappy Reflections—Abrupt Departure of Tibeats, Cook, and Ramsey—Lawson and the Brown Mule—Message to the Pine Woods,

  CHAPTER IX.

  The Hot Sun—Yet Bound—The Cords Sink into My Flesh—Chapin’s Uneasiness—Speculation—Rachel, and her Cup of Water—Suffering Increases—The Happiness of Slavery—Arrival of Ford—He Cuts the Cords which Bind Me, and takes the Rope from My Neck—Misery—The Gathering of the Slaves in Eliza’s Cabin—Their Kindness—Rachel Repeats the Occurrences of the Day—Lawson Entertains his Companions with an Account of his Ride—Chapin’s Apprehensions of Tibeats—Hired to Peter Tanner—Peter Expounds the Scriptures—Description of the Stocks,

  CHAPTER X.

  Return to Tibeats—Impossibility of pleasing him—He attacks me with a Hatchet—The Struggle over the Broad Axe—The Temptation to Murder Him—Escape across the Plantation—Observations from the Fence—Tibeats Approaches, followed by the Hounds—They take my Track—Their Loud Yells—They Almost Overtake Me—I Reach the Water—The Hounds Confused—Moccasin Snakes—Alligators—Night in the “Great Pacoudrie Swamp”—The Sounds of Life —North-West Course—Emerge into the Pine Woods—Slave and His Young Master—Arrival at Ford’s—Food and Rest,

  CHAPTER XI.

  The Mistress’ Garden—The Crimson and Golden Fruit—Orange and Pomegranate Trees—Return to Bayou Boeuf—Master Ford’s Remarks on the Way—The Meeting with Tibeats—His Account of the Chase—Ford Censures his Brutality—Arrival at the Plantation—Astonishment of the Slaves on Seeing Me—The Anticipated Flogging—Kentucky John—Mr. Eldret, the Planter—Eldret’s Sam—Trip to the “Big Cane Brake”—The Tradition of Sutton’s Field—Forest Trees—Gnats and Mosquitoes—The Arrival of Black Women in the Big Cane—Lumber Women—Sudden Appearance of Tibeats—His Provoking Treatment—Visit to Bayou Boeuf—The Slave Pass—Southern Hospitality—The Last of Eliza—Sale to Edwin Epps,

  CHAPTER XII.

  Personal Appearance of Epps—Epps, Drunk and Sober—A Glimpse of his History—Cotton Growing—The Mode of Ploughing and Preparing Ground—Of Planting—Of Hoeing, of Picking, of Treating Raw Hands—The Difference in Cotton Pickers—Patsey a Remarkable One—Tasked According to Ability—Beauty of a Cotton Field—The Slave’s Labors—Fear of Approaching the Gin-House—Weighing—“Chores”—Cabin Life—The Corn Mill—The Uses of the Gourd—Fear of Oversleeping—Fear Continually—Mode of Cultivating Corn—Sweet Potatoes—Fertility of the Soil—Fattening Hogs—Preserving Bacon—Raising Cattle—Shooting-Matches—Garden Products—Flowers and Verdure,

  CHAPTER XIII.

  The Curious Axe-Helve—Symptoms of Approaching Illness—Continue to Decline—The Whip Ineffectual—Confined to the Cabin—Visit by Dr. Wines—Partial Recovery—Failure at Cotton Picking—What May Be Heard on Epps’ Plantation—Lashes Graduated—Epps in a Whipping Mood—Epps in a Dancing Mood—Description of the Dance—Loss of Rest No Excuse—Epps’ Characteristics—Jim Burns—Removal from Huff Power to Bayou Boeuf—Description of Uncle Abram; of Wiley; of Aunt Phebe; of Bob, Henry, and Edward; of Patsey; with a Genealogical Account of Each—Something of their Past History, and Peculiar Characteristics—Jealousy and Lust—Patsey, the Victim,

  CHAPTER XIV.

  Destruction of the Cotton Crop in 1845—Demand for Laborers in St. Mary’s Parish—Sent Thither in a Drove—The Order of the March—The Grand Coteau—Hired to Judge Turner on Bayou Salle—Appointed Driver in his Sugar House—Sunday Services—Slave Furniture; How Obtained—The Party at Yarney’s, in Centreville—Good Fortune—The Captain of the Steamer—His Refusal to Secrete Me—Return to Bayou Boeuf— Sight of Tibeats—Patsey’s Sorrows—Tumult and Contention—Hunting the Coon and the Opossum—The Cunning of the Latter—The Lean Condition of the Slave—Description of the Fish Trap—The Murder of the Man from Natchez—Epps Challenged by Marshall—The Influence of Slavery—The Love of Freedom,

  CHAPTER XV.

  Labors on Sugar Plantations—The Mode of Planting Cane—of Hoeing Cane—Cane Ricks—Cutting Cane—Description of the Cane Knife—Winrowing—Preparing for Succeeding Crops—Description of Hawkins’ Sugar Mill on Bayou Boeuf—The Christmas Holidays—The Carnival Season of the Children of Bondage—The Christmas Supper—Red, the Favorite Color—The Violin, and the Consolation It Afforded—The Christmas Dance—Lively, the Coquette—Sam Roberts, and his Rivals—Slave Songs—Southern Life As It Is—Three Days in the Year—The System of Marriage—Uncle Abram’s Contempt of Matrimony,

  CHAPTER XVI.

  Overseers —How They are Armed and Accompanied—The Homicide—His Execution at Marksville—Slave-Drivers—Appointed Driver on Removing to Bayou Boeuf—Practic
e Makes Perfect—Epps’s Attempt to Cut Platt’s Throat—The Escape from Him—Protected by the Mistress—Forbids Reading and Writing—Obtain a Sheet of Paper After Nine Years’ Effort—The Letter—Armsby, the Mean White—Partially Confide in Him—His Treachery—Epps’ Suspicions—How They Were Quieted—Burning the Letter—Armsby Leaves the Bayou—Disappointment and Despair,

  CHAPTER XVII.

  Wiley Disregards the Counsels of Aunt Phebe and Uncle Abram, and Is Caught By the Patrollers—The Organization and Duties of the Latter—Wiley Runs Away—Speculations in Regard to Him—His Unexpected Return—His Capture on the Red River, and Confinement in Alexandria Jail—Discovered by Joseph B. Roberts—Subduing Dogs in Anticipation of Escape—The Fugitives in the Great Pine Woods—Captured by Adam Taydem and the Indians—Augustus Killed By Dogs—Nelly, Eldret’s Slave Woman—The Story of Celeste—The Concerted Movement—Lew Cheney, the Traitor—The Idea of Insurrection,

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  O’Niel, the Tanner—Conversation with Aunt Phebe Overheard—Epps in the Tanning Business—Stabbing of Uncle Abram—The Ugly Wound—Epps is Jealous—Patsey is Missing—Her Return from Shaw’s—Harriet, Shaw’s Black Wife—Epps Enraged—Patsey Denies His Charges—She is Tied Down Naked to Four Stakes—The Inhuman Flogging—Flaying of Patsey—The Beauty of the Day—The Bucket of Salt Water—The Dress Stiff with Blood—Patsey Grows Melancholy—Her Idea of God and Eternity—Of Heaven and Freedom—The Effect of Slave-Whipping—Epps’ Oldest Son—“The Child is Father to the Man,”

  CHAPTER XIX.

  Avery, on Bayou Rouge—Peculiarity of Dwellings—Epps Builds a New House—Bass, the Carpenter—His Noble Qualities—His Personal Appearance and Eccentricities—Bass and Epps Discuss the Question of Slavery—Epps’ Opinion of Bass—I Make Myself Known to Him—Our Conversation—His Surprise—The Midnight Meeting on the Bayou Bank—Bass’ Assurances—Declares War Against Slavery—Why I Did Not Disclose My History—Bass Writes Letters—Copy of His Letter to Messrs. Parker and Perry—The Fever of Suspense—Disappointments—Bass Endeavors to Cheer Me—My Faith in Him,

  CHAPTER XX.

  Bass Faithful to His Word—His Arrival on Christmas Eve—The Difficulty of Obtaining an Interview—The Meeting in the Cabin—Non-Arrival of the Letter—Bass Announces His Intention to Proceed North—Christmas—Conversation Between Epps and Bass—Young Mistress McCoy, the Beauty of Bayou Boeuf—The “Ne Plus Ultra” of Dinners—Music and Dancing—Presence of the Mistress—Her Exceeding Beauty—The Last Slave Dance—William Pierce—Oversleep Myself—The Last Whipping—Despondency—The Cold Morning—Epps’ Threats—The Passing Carriage—Strangers Approaching Through the Cotton-Field—Last Hour on Bayou Boeuf,

  CHAPTER XXI.

  The Letter Reaches Saratoga—Is Forwarded to Anne—Is Laid Before Henry B. Northup—The Statute of May 14, 1840—Its Provisions—Anne’s Memorial to the Governor—The Affadavits Accompanying It—Senator Soule’s Letter—Departure of the Agent Appointed by the Governor—Arrival at Marksville—The Hon. John P. Waddill—The Conversation on New-York Politics—It Suggests a Fortunate Idea—The Meeting with Bass—The Secret Out—Legal Proceedings Instituted—Departure of Northup and the Sheriff from Marksville for Bayou Boeuf—Arrangements on the Way—Reach Epps’ Plantation—Discover his Slaves in the Cotton-Field—The Meeting—The Farewell,

  CHAPTER XXII.

  Arrival in New-Orleans—Glimpse of Freeman—Genois, the Recorder—His Description of Solomon—Reach Charleston—Interrupted by Custom House Officials—Pass Through Richmond—Arrival in Washington—Burch Arrested—Shekels and Thorn—Their Testimony—Burch Acquitted—Arrest of Solomon—Burch Withdraws the Complaint—The Higher Tribunal—Departure from Washington—Arrival at Sandy Hill—Old Friends and Familiar Scenes—Proceed to Glens Falls—Meeting with Anne, Margaret, and Elizabeth—Solomon Northup Staunton—Incidents—Conclusion,

  AFTER FREEDOM: WHAT HAPPENED?

  ORIGINAL APPENDICES

  ORIGINAL SONG

  IMAGE AND MAP GALLERY

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  BIBLIOGRAPHY

  NOTES TO INTRODUCTION

  CHAPTER NOTES AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

  EDITOR’S PREFACE

  When the editor commenced the preparation of the following narrative, he did not suppose it would reach the size of this volume. In order, however, to present all the facts which have been communicated to him, it has seemed necessary to extend it to its present length.

  Many of the statements contained in the following pages are corroborated by abundant evidence—others rest entirely upon Solomon’s assertion. That he has adhered strictly to the truth, the editor, at least, who has had an opportunity of detecting any contradiction or discrepancy in his statements, is well satisfied. He has invariably repeated the same story without deviating in the slightest particular, and has also carefully perused the manuscript, dictating an alteration wherever the most trivial inaccuracy has appeared.

  It was Solomon’s fortune, during his captivity, to be owned by several masters. The treatment he received while at the “Pine Woods” shows that among slaveholders there are men of humanity as well as of cruelty. Some of them are spoken of with emotions of gratitude—others in a spirit of bitterness. It is believed that the following account of his experience on Bayou Boeuf presents a correct picture of Slavery, in all its lights and shadows, as it now exists in that locality. Unbiased, as he conceives, by any prepossessions or prejudices, the only object of the editor has been to give a faithful history of Solomon Northup’s life, as he received it from his lips.

  In the accomplishment of that object, he trusts he has succeeded, notwithstanding the numerous faults of style and of expression it may be found to contain.

  DAVID WILSON

  Whitehall, N.Y., May, 1853

  Chapter I.

  INTRODUCTORY—ANCESTRY—THE NORTHUP FAMILY—BIRTH AND PARENTAGE—MINTUS NORTHUP—MARRIAGE WITH ANNE HAMPTON—GOOD RESOLUTIONS—CHAMPLAIN CANAL—RAFTING EXCURSION TO CANADA—FARMING—THE VIOLIN—COOKING—REMOVAL TO SARATOGA—PARKER AND PERRY—SLAVES AND SLAVERY—THE CHILDREN—THE BEGINNING OF SORROW.

  Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoyed the blessings of liberty in a free State—and having at the end of that time been kidnapped and sold into Slavery, where I remained, until happily rescued in the month of January, 1853, after a bondage of twelve years—it has been suggested that an account of my life and fortunes would not be uninteresting to the public.1

  Since my return to liberty, I have not failed to perceive the increasing interest throughout the Northern States, in regard to the subject of Slavery. Works of fiction, professing to portray its features in their more pleasing as well as more repugnant aspects, have been circulated to an extent unprecedented, and, as I understand, have created a fruitful topic of comment and discussion.2

  I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under my own observation—only so far as I have known and experienced it in my own person.3 My object is, to give a candid and truthful statement of facts: to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration, leaving it for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction present a picture of more cruel wrong or a severer bondage.4

  As far back as I have been able to ascertain, my ancestors on the paternal side were slaves in Rhode Island. They belonged to a family by the name of Northup, one of whom, removing to the State of New-York, settled at Hoosic, in Rensselaer county. He brought with him Mintus Northup, my father.5 On the death of this gentleman, which must have occurred some fifty years ago, my father became free, having been emancipated by a direction in his will.

  Henry B. Northup, Esq., of Sandy Hill, a distinguished counselor at law, and the man to whom, under Providence, I am indebted for my present liberty, and my return to the society of my wife and children, is a relative of the family in which my forefathers were thus held to service, and from which they took the name I bear.6 To this fact may be attributed the persevering interest he has ta
ken in my behalf.

  Sometime after my father’s liberation, he removed to the town of Minerva, Essex county, N.Y., where I was born, in the month of July, 1808.7 How long he remained in the latter place I have not the means of definitely ascertaining. From thence he removed to Granville, Washington county, near a place known as Slyborough, where, for some years, he labored on the farm of Clark Northup8, also a relative of his old master; from thence he removed to the Alden farm, at Moss Street, a short distance north of the village of Sandy Hill;9 and from thence to the farm now owned by Russel Pratt, situated on the road leading from Fort Edward to Argyle, where he continued to reside until his death, which took place on the 22d day of November, 1829. He left a widow and two children—myself and Joseph, an elder brother. The latter is still living in the county of Oswego, near the city of that name; my mother died during the period of my captivity.

  Though born a slave, and laboring under the disadvantages of which my unfortunate race is subjected, my father was a man respected for his industry and integrity, as many now living, who well remember him, are ready to testify. His whole life was passed in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, never seeking employment in those more menial positions, which seem to be especially allotted to the children of Africa. Besides giving us an education surpassing that ordinarily bestowed upon children of our condition, he acquired, by his diligence and economy, a sufficient property qualification to entitle him to the right of suffrage.10 He was accustomed to speak to us of his early life; and although at all times cherishing the warmest emotions of kindness, and even of affection towards the family, in whose house he had been a bondsman, he nevertheless comprehended the system of Slavery, and dwelt with sorrow on the degradation of his race. He endeavored to imbue our minds with sentiments of morality, and to teach us to place our trust and confidence in Him who regards the humblest as well as the highest of his creatures. How often since that time has the recollection of his paternal counsels occurred to me, while lying in a slave hut in the distant and sickly regions of Louisiana,11 smarting with the undeserved wounds which an inhuman master had inflicted, and longing only for the grave which had covered him, to shield me also from the lash of the oppressor. In the churchyard at Sandy Hill, an humble stone marks the spot where he reposes, after having worthily performed the duties appertaining to the lowly sphere wherein God had appointed him to walk.