Henry Brown-slave-did not know how old he was because slaves
were not allowed to know their birthdays. Henry and his brothers and sister
worked in a big house for their master-master was good to him and his family.
Henry’s mom knew things would change one day. The master called for henry and
his mother-he was in his bed very ill-master was giving henry to his son. Henry
saw a bird fly freely in the sky. Henry went to his new master’s factory-he was
good at his job. Henry was lonely-he met Nancy who was shopping with her
mistress. Months later Henry asked Nancy to be his wife their master agreed and
they soon had children they lived together-Nancy was worried-her master had
lost money she was worried their masters would seel their children. Henry’s
friend James had just informed him that his wife and children were sold at the
slave market.He went back to work-at lunch he rushed into town-he looked for
his family and saw them disappear down the road. Henry was very sad and
lonely-he knew he would never see his family again. He heard singing one
morning and saw a bird he wondered if he would ever be free. He met Dr. Smith
who did not believe in slavery. Henry wanted to mail himself in a box to the
land where the slaves were free. Dr. Smith wrote on the box: William h. Johnson
Arch Street Philadelphia Pa this side up with care. He needed an excuse to stay
home so he could escape in his box. He poured oil vitriol (acid) on it which
burned his skin to the bone which Dr. Smith bandaged .The sun wasn’t even up
when Henry climbed into the box Dr. Smith and James took the box to the
station. Dr. Smith begged the clerks to be careful but they didn’t listen.
Hours passed he heard water and he was upside down-steam boat. Men moved his
box and sat on it-he was finally right side up. He awoke to a loud
knocking-four men smiled at him and said welcome to Philadelphia. At last Henry
had a birthday-March 30 1849-first day of freedom. He also had a middle name
now-Henry Box Brown
No comments:
Post a Comment