Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life · Chapter
Closing Chapter explained
Josiah Henson provides an account of the fugitive slaves in Canada, describing their growth from a few hundred in 1830 to thirty-five thousand, their improved economic conditions with farms, schools, churches, and trades, and their peaceful
What happens
Josiah Henson provides an account of the fugitive slaves in Canada, describing their growth from a few hundred in 1830 to thirty-five thousand, their improved economic conditions with farms, schools, churches, and trades, and their peaceful coexistence with white neighbors, while encouraging free people of color in the Northern States to join them for a better life.
Themes in this chapter
Quest for Freedom
The chapter details the successful establishment of free communities in Canada, highlighting the fulfillment of the quest for freedom.
Resilience and Survival
From poverty and subsistence on roots and herbs, fugitive slaves built prosperous farms, schools, and churches, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Community and Leadership
Henson describes the growth of organized settlements, schools, and churches, reflecting strong community bonds and leadership among fugitive slaves.
Characters to notice
- Josiah Henson
Narrator reflecting on the progress and prospects of fugitive slaves in Canada.
Key passages
“At the time of my first visit to Canada, in the year 1830, there were but a few hundred fugitive slaves in both Canadas; there are now not less than thirty-five thousand.”
When Henson first visited Canada in 1830, only a few hundred escaped slaves lived there; now there are at least 35,000.
Highlights the dramatic increase in the fugitive slave population in Canada over decades.
“We have now numerous churches, and they are well filled from Sabbath to Sabbath with attentive listeners; our children attend the Sabbath School, and are being trained as we trust for Heaven.”
The community now has many churches that are full every Sunday, and children attend Sabbath school for religious education.
Shows the establishment of religious and educational institutions among fugitive slaves.
“Even now, the condition and prospects of a majority of the fugitive slaves in Canada is vastly superior to that of most of the free people of color in the Northern States.”
Most fugitive slaves in Canada are better off than free Black people in the Northern United States.
Contrasts the relative prosperity and legal protection in Canada with the difficulties faced by free Black people in the North.