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This is an annotated version of the book1.contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2.This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errors 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.Having been born a freeman, and for more than thirty years enjoyedthe blessings of liberty in a free State--and having at the end ofthat time been kidnapped and sold into Slavery, where I remained, until happily rescued in the month of January, 1853, after a bondageof twelve years--it has been suggested that an account of my life andfortunes would not be uninteresting to the public.Since my return to liberty, I have not failed to perceive theincreasing interest throughout the Northern States, in regard tothe subject of Slavery. Works of fiction, professing to portrayits features in their more pleasing as well as more repugnantaspects, have been circulated to an extent unprecedented, and, as Iunderstand, have created a fruitful topic of comment and discussion.I can speak of Slavery only so far as it came under my ownobservation--only so far as I have known and experienced it in myown person. My object is, to give a candid and truthful statement offacts: to repeat the story of my life, without exaggeration, leavingit for others to determine, whether even the pages of fiction presenta picture of more cruel wrong or a severer bondage.As far back as I have been able to ascertain, my ancestors on thepaternal side were slaves in Rhode Island. They belonged to a familyby the name of Northup, one of whom, removing to the State ofNew-York, settled at Hoosic, in Rensselaer county. He brought with himMintus Northup, my father. On the death of this gentleman, which musthave occurred some fifty years ago, my father became free, having beenemancipated by a direction in his will.Henry B. Northup, Esq., of Sandy Hill, a distinguished counselor atlaw, and the man to whom, under Providence, I am indebted for mypresent liberty, and my return to the society of my wife and children, is a relative of the family in which my forefathers were thus held toservice, and from which they took the name I bear. To this fact may beattributed the persevering interest he has taken in my behalf.Sometime after my father's liberation, he removed to the town ofMinerva, Essex county, N. Y., where I was born, in the month of July,1808. How long he remained in the latter place I have not the meansof definitely ascertaining. From thence he removed to Granville, Washington county, near a place known as Slyborough, where, for someyears, he labored on the farm of Clark Northup, also a relative of hisold master; from thence he removed to the Alden farm, at Moss Street, a short distance north of the village of Sandy Hill; and from thenceto the farm now owned by Russel Pratt, situated on the road leadingfrom Fort Edward to Argyle, where he continued to reside until hisdeath, which took place on the 22d day of November, 1829. He left awidow and two children--myself, and Joseph, an elder brother. Thelatter is still living in the county of Oswego, near the city of thatname; my mother died during the period of my captivity.

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