Twelve Years a Slave - Enhanced Edition (2 page)

About the Ghost Writer

David Wilson of Whitehall, New York, was a talented and well-educated man who, at thirty-two years old when he wrote the Northup story, was practicing law. He was writing poetry, editing newspapers, and working on books as a sideline activity.
⁵

David Wilson, Ghost Writer

Wilson was born September 21, 1821, in Hebron, New York, to Benjamin and Margaret Flack Wilson.
⁶
An 1840 graduate of prestigious Union College in Schenectady, New York, he studied law for three years with the Honorable Orville Clark, who submitted one of the affidavits at the end of
Twelve Years a Slave
. The
Whitehall Democrat
wrote of him, “. . . Mr. Wilson is not only one of the most eloquent orators at the bar, but one of the purest and sweetest poets in northern New York. We are sorry he is a Whig.”
⁷

Clarence E. Holden, writing brief biographies of Whitehall’s most prominent citizens in his “Local History Sketches,” wrote after Wilson’s death in 1870:

David Wilson was a prominent lawyer of the midcentury period in Whitehall. He was something of an author, and a politician as well. Above all, he was a most genial and companionable man, and an all around good fellow. He used to do most of the editing of the local papers, one as well as another, and he could write a Democratic argument with quite as much facility as he could a Whig, altho [sic] he professed himself a member of the latter party . . . He came to Whitehall in early life . . . in that year [1843] he was elected secretary of Torrent Hose company. Apparently he was not much of a fireman . . .
⁸

Typographical, Spelling
And Conventions
In Writing In This Edition

Published in 1853, the original edition of Solomon Northup’s
Twelve Years a Slave
reflects the typography and language conventions used by printers of the time. For instance, in the original there are periods after every title, and there is a rather ornate typeface. We, the editors of the present edition, have elected to preserve the flavor of the work done with the 1853 edition, while changing to a more reader-friendly version if, in our opinion, a particular choice is distracting to the reader. Thus, this edition, though very similar to the original one, is not an exact copy.

Also, the spelling of proper names varies among
Twelve Years a Slave
and other primary sources written at the time. Northup, of course, would not have had the occasion to see most, if any, of these names written, and so he would have used his best guess, or, more likely, David Wilson’s best guess. There are many spellings for the same sound, and so it is not surprising that, especially with surnames, a different spelling from the one that the family used was selected. Also, if Solomon Northup mispronounced the name in any way, the mispronunciation is reflected in the spelling; that is the case with Cocodrie Bayou, which Solomon must have heard with a starting “p.”

Here is a list of alternative spellings of specific proper names used in the 1853 edition. There may be more than two spellings, because other spellings may appear in documents written in the 1800s that mention these families:

• Burch, Birch

• Buford, Burford

• Carey, Kery, Keary

• Carnal, Carnel, Carnel

• Dunwoodie, Dunwoody

• Eldret, Eldred

• Fogaman, Fogleman

• Pacoudrie in text is actually Cocodrie Bayou

• Pine Woods, Piney woods, pineywoods

• Tibeats, Tibaut

• Windes, Wines

Thank you for purchasing Dr. Eakin’s definitive edition of Twelve Years a Slave.

You may wish to refer back and forth to our website for bonus content, including additional images, maps, background information, and audio clips of scenes performed by award-winning actor Louis Gossett, Jr.

www.TwelveYearsASlave.org

Note: The endnote numbers in the narrative are hyperlinked to the Chapter Notes and Historical Context section at the back of the book, which includes fascinating details about the people, places and events, as well as the plantation system that kept so many in bondage. Readers can return to their places in the narrative by clicking on the number related to each note or by using the
Back
key on their eReader device.

Copyright © 2013 Frank Eakin and Eakin Films & Publishing
. ISBN: 978-0-9897948-0-0. Except for the original narrative itself and any photos that are in the public domain, all rights are reserved on this document, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form. Except as noted here, no part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical without the express written permission of the publisher. The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you’re reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, you should return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

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. Georgiann Gullett, Publicist.

Version 2013.09.04

TO

Harriett Beecher Stowe,

WHOSE NAME,

THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, IS IDENTIFIED WITH THE GREAT REFORM:

THIS NARRATIVE, AFFORDING ANOTHER

Key To Uncle Tom’s Cabin,

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.

—Solomon Northup’s dedication to Harriet Beecher Stowe in the second edition of his autobiography

_____________________

“So you are the little woman

who wrote the book

that started this great war.”

—President Lincoln’s comment to Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of
Uncle Tom’s Cabin

“Such dupes are men to custom, and so prone

To reverence what is ancient, and can plead

A course of long observance for its use,

That even servitude, the worst of ills,

Because delivered down from sire to son,

Is kept and guarded as a sacred thing.

But is it fit or can it bear the shock

Of rational discussion, that a man

Compounded and made up, like other men,

Of elements tumultuous, in whom lust

And folly in as ample measure meet,

As in the bosom of the slave he rules,

Should be a despot absolute, and boast

Himself the only freeman of his land?”

—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—Practice 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