Solomon Northup was a freeborn black man living in New York. His father had been born a slave, but was manumitted upon the death of his owner. Solomon’s father taught him to be a farmer, and upon the marriage of Solomon to Anne Hampton, farming became Solomon’s occupation. However, the industrious Solomon would also engage himself in other industries, including repairs on the Champlain Canal, river transportation, rail road construction, and, especially during the winter season, Solomon would play his beloved violin for compensation.
His violin also became the root of his imprisonment. While walking along the streets of Saratoga Springs, New York, Solomon was approached by two men. The men, Brown and Hamilton, enticed Solomon to join their circus and play the violin. Solomon was offered high wages and eagerly accepted. The trio eventually ventured south to Washington, D.C., where after consuming alcohol with the two men, Solomon became ill. When he woke up in chains, Solomon realized he had been poisoned and kidnapped into slavery.
While in a slave pen in the shadows of our nation’s capital, Solomon declared the fact of his freedom and the injustice at his imprisonment. He was then beaten nearly to death. Throughout his almost twelve years of slavery, he rarely again mentioned that he had been born free in the state of New York.
After transportation on a ship south to New Orleans, Louisiana, Solomon Northup was bought by slave owner William Ford. Ford’s plantation was located on the bank of Bayou Boeuf in Avoyelles Parish (I have crossed this same Bayou many times, as my husband was born and raised in a small town in Northeastern Louisiana, also called Epps.). Ford employed a brutal overseer, Mr. Tibeats. Tibeats was especially cruel towards Solomon. Later, because of financial hardships for Ford, Solomon was mortgaged to Tibeats. One day Tibeats and Solomon were in the process of construction of a weaving house, when Tibeats attempted to whip Solomon for a trivial reason. Solomon fought back against Tibeats, thus committing a crime punishable by death. On this occasion, Solomon was saved from a brutal beating by Ford. Several weeks later, Solomon again could not please Tibeats and his unreasonable nature, but instead of fighting back against Tibeats, Solomon took refuge in a great swamp. This refuge took place in the middle of summer, with snakes, alligators, and other unknown dangers also taking refuge within the swamp. After several days, Solomon made his way back to Ford’s plantation. There he was reunited again with Tibeats. This reunion was short-lived, however, and Solomon was promptly sold to Edwin Epps.
Solomon would live in slavery for nearly ten years with Epps. Epps was a slave owner in the same general area of William Ford. Epps was especially known to his slaves for his cruelty and drunken belligerence. Slaves belonging to Epps were only given three days off work on the plantation the entire year. They were expected to work without ceasing the entire day, and many times into the night. No time off would be given for illness. It was frequent, while in a drunken state, Epps would have his slaves, to dance into the wee hours of the morning. This dancing would come after the slaves worked a full day in the fields and at their chores. Of course, the slaves would be expected to be at work the next morning and labor the entire day on very little rest.
Finally, in 1852, Solomon Northup met the man who would set into motion his freedom. A Canadian, Samuel Bass, came to work on Epps’ plantation in the carpentry business. After hearing Bass and Epps debate the issue of slavery, Solomon soon realized that Bass had antislavery beliefs. With great trepidation, Solomon approached Bass and confided the great secret he had held for eleven years. Bass assured Solomon that he would endeavor to help him regain the freedom that was stolen. Solomon dictated a letter that Bass mailed, with the letter reaching acquaintances of Solomon.
With bewilderment, I read the description Solomon gives of the day Henry B. Northup rode onto Epps’ plantation. The percentage of slaves released from slavery in this manner, or anything even close to this manner, is without a doubt minute. These were my favorite pages to read in the Northup narrative. With the arrival of Henry B. Northup, Solomon left the Epps plantation again a free man.
When Solomon Northup was kidnapped, his wife was left a single mother of three children. She was a renown cook in the area of New York they resided, so she was able to provide some income. Her life and that of her children after the kidnapping of Solomon, was probably very hard. Solomon’s children were not dumb to their father’s circumstances. After seeing a picture in one of their school books of slaves being whipped, they became very upset because they knew that in all likelihood, their father was facing the same circumstances. In his absence, Solomon’s children kept his memory alive. Solomon even came home to a grandson named in his honor.
Having very little intelligence as to Solomon’s whereabouts, I think Anne’s devotion to her husband is evident. What stopped her from taking another spouse to help provide for her and her three children? Solomon writes of his unabated love and devotion for Anne; she must have had the same for him.
Solomon Northup gave a short version of the reunion with his family after his twelve years of slavery. When I first read this narrative several months ago, I was disappointed that Solomon had not left more details of his reunion with family members. I wanted to know how he spent his first moments with his wife, his son who was away upon Solomon’s return, etc. What was the first thing Solomon ate? How did his first night at home feel? However, after reading 12 Years a Slave for the second time, I am glad Solomon did not divulge all the details. The pages of a book are not adequate to capture those beautiful sacred moments Solomon had with his family.
At the time of Solomon’s kidnapping, New York was a “free” state. From the description Solomon gives of his acquaintance and kidnapping by Brown and Hamilton, I am of the opinion that the two men intended, from the outset, to kidnap a black man. Even in the free state of New York, black men and women were not safe from the clutches of slavery.
Solomon Northup was able to survive twelve years as a slave in part because of his violin. Tibeats informed Edwin Epps that Solomon could play the violin, and at the request of Mrs. Epps, a violin was provided to Solomon. He would frequently turn to his violin to comfort his weary heart while in the clutches of slavery. Towards the close of his narrative, Solomon admits that he was indebted to his violin, who was his constant companion, and soother of his sorrows throughout his years of servitude. I am sure, the thought of one day being reunited with his family was another reason Solomon was able to survive.
I imagine most mothers are able to most identify with poor Eliza. While Solomon describes the circumstances of her imprisonment with her children, eventual separation from her children, and subsequent demise, I imagined myself in Eliza’s position. My heart broke for Eliza when she kissed her sleeping children, crying for them as they slept peacefully in her lap, even though they were now slaves. When Eliza and her children were eventually physically separated, her heart break becomes real to me. I know how I would feel if my three children were ripped from my arms, especially knowing the prospect of the life that lay before them. It is hard for me to write deeply on this issue without tears forming on my face. Poor Eliza! No, I would not have been able to survive slavery without my children. I, too, would have died of a broken heart, burdened by the heavy loss of my children. Also, if I were fortunate enough to have my children with me and not be separated while in slavery, I could not have stood seeing them whipped unmercifully.
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