CONTENTS.

Previous
CHAPTER I.
MY BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD. 1
Earliest memories.—Born in Maryland.—My father's first appearance.—Attempted outrage on my mother.—My father's fight with an overseer.—One hundred stripes and his ear cut off.—Throws away his banjo and becomes morose.—Sold South.
CHAPTER II.
MY FIRST GREAT TRIAL. 8
Origin of my name.—A kind master.—He is drowned.—My mother's prayers.—A slave auction.—Torn from my mother.—Severe sickness.—A cruel master.—Sold again and restored to my mother.
CHAPTER III.
MY BOYHOOD AND YOUTH. 16
Early employment.—Slave-life.—Food, lodging, clothing.—Amusements.—Gleams of sunshine.—My knight-errantry.—Become an overseer and general superintendent.
CHAPTER IV.
MY CONVERSION. 25
A good man.—Hear a sermon for the first time.—Its effects upon me.—Prayer and communion.—Its first fruits.
CHAPTER V.
MAIMED FOR LIFE. 31
Taking care of my drunken master.—His fight with an overseer.—Rescue him.—Am terribly beaten by the overseer.—My master seeks redress at law, but fails.—Sufferings then and since.—Retain my post as superintendent.
CHAPTER VI.
A RESPONSIBLE JOURNEY. 42
My marriage.—Marriage of my master.—His ruin.—Comes to me for aid.—A great enterprise undertaken.—Long and successful journey.—Incidents by the way.—Struggle between inclination and duty.—Duty triumphant.
CHAPTER VII.
A NEW HOME. 55
Become a Methodist preacher.—My poor companions sold.—My agony.—Sent for again.—Interview with a kind Methodist preacher.—Visit free soil and begin my struggle for freedom.
CHAPTER VIII.
RETURN TO MARYLAND. 66
Reception from my old master.—A slave again.—Appeal to an old friend.—Buy my freedom.—Cheated and betrayed.—Back to Kentucky, and a slave again.
CHAPTER IX.
TAKEN SOUTH, AWAY FROM WIFE AND CHILDREN. 79
Start for New Orleans.—Study navigation on the Mississippi.—The captain struck blind.—Find some of my old companions.—The lower depths.
CHAPTER X.
A TERRIBLE TEMPTATION. 86
Sigh for death.—A murder in my heart.—The axe raised.—Conscience speaks and I am saved.—God be praised!
CHAPTER XI.
PROVIDENTIAL DELIVERANCE. 93
Offered for sale.—Examined by purchasers.—Plead with my young master in vain.—Man's extremity, God's opportunity.—Good for evil.—Return North.—My increased value.—Resolve to be a slave no longer.
CHAPTER XII.
ESCAPE FROM BONDAGE. 102
Solitary Musings.—Preparations for flight.—A long good-night to master.—A dark night on the river.—Night journeys in Indiana.—On the brink of starvation.—A kind woman.—A new style of drinking cup.—Reach Cincinnati.
CHAPTER XIII.
JOURNEY TO CANADA. 113
Good Samaritans.—Alone in the wilderness.—Meet some Indians.—Reach Sandusky.—Another friend.—All aboard.—Buffalo.—A "free nigger."—Frenzy of joy on reaching Canada.
CHAPTER XIV.
NEW SCENES AND A NEW HOME. 128
A poor man in a strange land.—Begin to acquire property.—Resume preaching.—Boys go to school.—What gave me a desire to learn to read.—A day of prayer in the woods.
CHAPTER XV.
LIFE IN CANADA. 138
Condition of the blacks in Canada.—A tour of exploration.—Appeal to the Legislature.—Improvements.
CHAPTER XVI.
CONDUCTING SLAVES TO CANADA. 144
Sympathy for the slaves.—James Lightfoot.—My first mission to the South.—A Kentucky company of fugitives.—Safe at home.
CHAPTER XVII.
SECOND JOURNEY ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. 150
A shower of stars.—Kentuckians.—A stratagem.—A providence.—Conducted across the Miami River by a cow.—Arrival at Cincinnati.—One of the party taken ill.—We leave him to die.—Meet a "friend."—A poor white man.—A strange impression.—Once more in Canada.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HOME AT DAWN.

FATHER HENSON'S STORY

OF

HIS OWN LIFE.


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Clyx.com


Top of Page
Top of Page