Twelve Years a Slave
...uld inform Solomon that he no longer had the papers that told of his freedom but that he was now a slave owned by Burch. Burch had close ties with a man in New Orleans named Theophilus Freeman who sold slaves to plantation owners. Solomon began his journey to the Big Easy in Washington where he was held captive with other slaves that he would befriend. Some of those slaves would come and go and Northup would begin to meet more and more of his kind that had been taken captive. Burch took them down to Goodin’s pen in Richmond and then on to New Orleans where Northup would be sold. Northup, along with slave friends, Eliza and Harry, would be sold to a man named William Ford. If ever a slave could say he/she was blessed, it was under the ownership of this man. Ford simply wanted assistance on his land and nothing more. He did not care to whip or beat his slaves but rather encourage and evangelize to them. “Were all men such as he, slavery would be deprived of more than half of its bitterness” (Northup, 62). However, that relationship would soon be strained, Ford ran low on money. Ford’s helper, John Tibeats, would take over as a master to Solomon and help him come to the reality of slavery. The relationship between Northup and Tibeats was quarrelsome. Tibeats had atemper about him and often felt it necessary to take his anger out on Northup. However, Solomon would not let it be that easy and escaped twice. When Solomon would return, he always could rely on the help of the plantation owner, Mr. Chapin. Chapin never let Tibeats follow through with the action of killing Northup. Instead, he would contact Ford for help and eventually, after deliberations with Ford, Solomon would be handed over to another master. Mr. Eldret, whom was much like Ford, would have Solomon come work for him at his home. For a short period, it seemed Tibeats somewhat got along with Solomon during his time here but soon after he learned, Tibeats sold him. Edwin Epps would be Solomon Northup’s master for the next ten years of his bondage. Epps was not a kind man nor was he lenient. No matter how well Solomon did his jobs, Epps rarely showed him favoritism. Northup’s time here was intermingled with beatings, illness, dances, and drunken rages. It took great pleasure in the Sabbath days and the three days during Christmas where he tasted a bit of liberty. While with Epps, Solomon came to know many people around him, including the man who would eventually help him to freedom. This man, Bass, fought for Northup’s cause silently but importantly by writing a letter to Henry Northup, Parker, and Perry. Men whom Solomon thought may save him. After waiting longer than anticipated, Solomon slowly began to give up hope but Bass reassured him not to give up every time they encountered each other. Finally, in 1853, after struggle and strife to find “Platt”, Henry Northup and the sheriff arrived at the home of Edwin Epps. Much to everyone’s surprise, the secret was revealed that Platt, the slave, was really Solomon Northup, a free colored man. After the trials and interrogations and twelve years of oppression, Solomon Northup finally returned home to his wife and children. This story makes a common person like me reflect on the battles I fight everyday....