# VII: A New Home explained — Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life

> Chapter companion for Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life by Josiah Henson.

## What happens

Josiah Henson recounts his years in Kentucky under Amos Riley, where he becomes a Methodist preacher and witnesses the heart-wrenching sale of his fellow slaves. Tormented by guilt over his past loyalty to his master, he resolves to seek freedom for himself and his family. With the help of a kind Methodist preacher, he obtains permission to travel to Maryland, begins fundraising in Cincinnati, and embarks on a journey toward self-purchase and liberty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Quest for Freedom

Henson's burning desire for freedom drives his actions; he resolves to escape the system and secure liberty for his family.

### Family Separation

The sale of Henson's companions reopens old wounds and highlights the constant threat of family dissolution under slavery.

### Faith and Religion

Henson becomes a Methodist preacher, using his faith to inspire others and as a means of personal and communal uplift.

### Resilience and Survival

Despite witnessing horrific scenes, Henson channels his agony into a determined plan for freedom, showing remarkable resilience.

## Character check-ins

### Josiah Henson

Narrator and protagonist; becomes a Methodist preacher, experiences deep guilt and resolve, and begins his quest for freedom.

### Amos Riley

Brother of Isaac Riley; Henson's master in Kentucky, who grants him a pass to travel to Maryland.

### Isaac Riley

Original master; remains in Maryland and sends an agent to sell his slaves except Henson's family.

### Charlotte

Henson's wife; mentioned as part of his family he seeks to free.

### Mr. Francis Newman

Kind Methodist preacher who advises Henson on buying his freedom and provides a letter of recommendation.

## Key lines

> What else, indeed, can be the feeling of the slave, liable at every moment of his life to these frightful and unnecessary calamities, which may be caused by the caprice of the abandoned, or the supposed necessities of the better part of the slaveholders, and inflicted upon him without sympathy or redress, under the sanction of the laws which uphold the institution?

Henson reflects on the constant terror slaves face from unpredictable and unjust punishments, sanctioned by law.

_Expresses Henson's growing hatred of slavery and his realization of its inherent cruelty._

> One absorbing purpose occupied my soul⁠—freedom, self-assertion, deliverance from the cruel caprices and fortunes of dissolute tyrants.

Henson's single-minded goal becomes achieving freedom and asserting his own will against oppressive masters.

_Highlights his transformation from passive loyalty to active pursuit of liberty._

> I opened the subject one Sunday morning while shaving Mr. Amos, and adroitly managed, by bringing the shaving brush close into his mouth whenever he was disposed to interrupt me, to 'get a good say' first.

Henson cleverly uses the act of shaving to prevent Amos from interrupting while he asks for permission to travel.

_Shows Henson's strategic cunning in navigating power dynamics with his master._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/vii-a-new-home
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters