Solomon Northup
“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 the time been sold into slavery, where I remained, until happily rescued in the month of January, 1953, 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.”
-Solomon Northup
Solomon Northup was a black man born free in Minerva, New York during the year 1808. His father, Mintus, was born a slave and was luckily set free by his master. Mintus’ master had the surname of Northup, and once Mintus was set free, he took the name Northup as his own, and married. After his wife gave birth to their two sons, one being Solomon, Mintus died in late 1829. At a young age, Solomon enjoyed playing the violin, which later on in his life he began playing on a recreational, as well as professional basis. On December 25th, 1829, Solomon wed Anne Hampton, a multiracial woman with African, European and Native American ancestry. Together, Solomon and Anne went on to have three children: Alonzo, Elizabeth, and Margaret.
To provide for this family, Solomon and Anne took on many jobs to ensure that the lives of their children were very prosperous. The family moved to Saratoga Springs, New York in 1834. When Solomon became desperate for work, he accompanied 2 men with his violin for their circus act in 1841, and was convinced to travel to Washington D.C. (which was considered the south). While in D.C., he was drugged by the men, beaten, and sold into slavery. Solomon was sent to Louisiana, where he was bought by a man named Freeman, and sold again for a higher price. Solomon suffered barbaric conditions and beatings, and witnessed the same things happen to fellow slaves of his, such as Patsey. In 1853, Solomon befriended Samuel Bass, a man from Canada who did not believe in slavery; Samuel subsequently contacted Solomon’s friends and family in the North and assisted in his freedom. In the same year, Solomon published the book 12 Years a Slave which described the brutal conditions and harsh tasks that he was forced to endure while enslaved.
The publication of 12 Years a Slave was a major accomplishment achieved by any African American during this time, as it provided the world with a first person narrative regarding slavery. We see from his novel a true account of a slave; and all of the pain, physical and emotional, that went along with it. After he published his novel, Solomon was a big success; he was so highly-regarded that he traveled around his neighborhood to deliver speeches and lectures to others against slavery. He also went on to become a minor force in the underground railroad, helping people to escape slavery in the south. Towards the end of his life, Solomon exited his public life and passed away, although the exact date and location of his death is unknown. Solomon Northup died a hero to the African American community, and an even greater role model to all people.
To provide for this family, Solomon and Anne took on many jobs to ensure that the lives of their children were very prosperous. The family moved to Saratoga Springs, New York in 1834. When Solomon became desperate for work, he accompanied 2 men with his violin for their circus act in 1841, and was convinced to travel to Washington D.C. (which was considered the south). While in D.C., he was drugged by the men, beaten, and sold into slavery. Solomon was sent to Louisiana, where he was bought by a man named Freeman, and sold again for a higher price. Solomon suffered barbaric conditions and beatings, and witnessed the same things happen to fellow slaves of his, such as Patsey. In 1853, Solomon befriended Samuel Bass, a man from Canada who did not believe in slavery; Samuel subsequently contacted Solomon’s friends and family in the North and assisted in his freedom. In the same year, Solomon published the book 12 Years a Slave which described the brutal conditions and harsh tasks that he was forced to endure while enslaved.
The publication of 12 Years a Slave was a major accomplishment achieved by any African American during this time, as it provided the world with a first person narrative regarding slavery. We see from his novel a true account of a slave; and all of the pain, physical and emotional, that went along with it. After he published his novel, Solomon was a big success; he was so highly-regarded that he traveled around his neighborhood to deliver speeches and lectures to others against slavery. He also went on to become a minor force in the underground railroad, helping people to escape slavery in the south. Towards the end of his life, Solomon exited his public life and passed away, although the exact date and location of his death is unknown. Solomon Northup died a hero to the African American community, and an even greater role model to all people.
Solomon showed moral courage because he decided to live. Throughout his long ordeal, spanning twelve years, he was motivated to make the right decisions by one core value: freedom. He felt that if he made the right decisions, that would someday lead to his release. He just needed to wait until the time was right. Solomon also thought that one day, if released, he would be able to work to outlaw slavery, which he ended up capitalizing on.
Even though he was enslaved for twelve years (profoundly), he decided to offer up services to his masters. Since he was an expert player of the violin, he often would play during different events for his masters, and would not do it against his will. During his time as a slave, he would often prevent different incidents from occurring between other slaves and their masters, as in the case with Patsey. Patsey was a younger, female slave of the same owner as Solomon who was often raped by their master, and Solomon tried to outwit his master to prevent him from doing this; only some of the time would this work, however. All in all, Solomon was the only person in the plantation, slaves and white folks included, that kept some sanity and moral compass with him at all times. He would never forget his family, and took to the unfortunate yet true realization that he would never see them again if he did anything foolish, such as try to run away and /or attempt to harm his masters. This, of course, would only dilute the opportunity of him regaining his freedom at some point in his life.
When the perfect opportunity presented itself that would likely help him to escape slavery, he dared to ask a white man (an anti-slavery white man, but nevertheless) to message his colleagues and friends in the north and tell them of his enslavement. After this attempt was successful, he returned to his free life as he had lived it before, now with his wife remarried and his children fully grown. He bravely decided to document his gruesome experiences and formulate them into a book, entitled Twelve Years a Slave. This book was an instant success and still remains a bestseller to this day. Later in his life, Solomon decided to assist in the running of the underground railroad, helping people to escape slavery.
Solomon’s book became a bestseller, as it still is today, and has stayed in the hearts and minds of all people since its publication. The novel prompted people to have a great deal of respect for Solomon, as they respected his bravery and the fact that he dedicated his life to one major cause: freedom. The moral courage shown by Solomon Northup also gave other people a reason to fight for equal rights, and because of his actions as well as others, a new age of equal rights activism began.
Even though he was enslaved for twelve years (profoundly), he decided to offer up services to his masters. Since he was an expert player of the violin, he often would play during different events for his masters, and would not do it against his will. During his time as a slave, he would often prevent different incidents from occurring between other slaves and their masters, as in the case with Patsey. Patsey was a younger, female slave of the same owner as Solomon who was often raped by their master, and Solomon tried to outwit his master to prevent him from doing this; only some of the time would this work, however. All in all, Solomon was the only person in the plantation, slaves and white folks included, that kept some sanity and moral compass with him at all times. He would never forget his family, and took to the unfortunate yet true realization that he would never see them again if he did anything foolish, such as try to run away and /or attempt to harm his masters. This, of course, would only dilute the opportunity of him regaining his freedom at some point in his life.
When the perfect opportunity presented itself that would likely help him to escape slavery, he dared to ask a white man (an anti-slavery white man, but nevertheless) to message his colleagues and friends in the north and tell them of his enslavement. After this attempt was successful, he returned to his free life as he had lived it before, now with his wife remarried and his children fully grown. He bravely decided to document his gruesome experiences and formulate them into a book, entitled Twelve Years a Slave. This book was an instant success and still remains a bestseller to this day. Later in his life, Solomon decided to assist in the running of the underground railroad, helping people to escape slavery.
Solomon’s book became a bestseller, as it still is today, and has stayed in the hearts and minds of all people since its publication. The novel prompted people to have a great deal of respect for Solomon, as they respected his bravery and the fact that he dedicated his life to one major cause: freedom. The moral courage shown by Solomon Northup also gave other people a reason to fight for equal rights, and because of his actions as well as others, a new age of equal rights activism began.
Timeline of Important Events
1808: Solomon Northup is born in Minerva, New York
1829: Mintus Northup, the father of Solomon, dies
Northup weds Anne Hampton
Northup's daughter Elizabeth is born prior to Alonzo and Margaret
1834: The Northups move to Saratoga Springs, New York
1841: Northup accompanies two men on their circus act in Washington D.C.
Northup gets sold into slavery by the men and taken to Louisiana
1853: Northup befriends Samuel Bass, who aids in his release
Northup is reunited with his family after 12 years
Northup publishes his novel, "12 Years a Slave"
1808: Solomon Northup is born in Minerva, New York
1829: Mintus Northup, the father of Solomon, dies
Northup weds Anne Hampton
Northup's daughter Elizabeth is born prior to Alonzo and Margaret
1834: The Northups move to Saratoga Springs, New York
1841: Northup accompanies two men on their circus act in Washington D.C.
Northup gets sold into slavery by the men and taken to Louisiana
1853: Northup befriends Samuel Bass, who aids in his release
Northup is reunited with his family after 12 years
Northup publishes his novel, "12 Years a Slave"