Assignment #6:Josiah Henson (1789-1883)

Josiah Henson was a born slave from a plantation in Charles County, Maryland,who was born on June 15th 1789. Josiah had worked all his life and early on in his life he was was shown the cruelty and brutality of slavery, as well as he was traded three times before he was even was even at the age of 18 years old. Josiah Henson had saved up $350.00 to purchase his freedom when his master (Amos Riley) told him that the price was changed to $1000.00.

Knowing that he was cheated for his money he and his wife then escaped to north Canada with their four children in 1830. When they arrived Josiah Henson formed a community and taught ex-slaves how to be good farmers. Josiah Henson was an active person until his death, which was in the year 1883 at the age of 94. In the end Josiah Henson was called "the most controversial former slave ever to make his way to freedom and safety in Upper Canada."

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