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FATHER HENSON'S STORY
OF HIS OWN LIFE.


[Illustration: Josiah Henson]




TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.

FATHER HENSON'S STORY
OF
HIS OWN LIFE.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION
BY MRS. H. B. STOWE.

BOSTON:
JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY.

CLEVELAND, OHIO:
HENRY P. B. JEWETT.

1858.




Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1858, by
JOHN P. JEWETT AND COMPANY,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court
for the District of Massachusetts


LITHOTYPED BY COWLES AND COMPANY,
17 WASHINGTON STREET,
BOSTON.

Press of Geo. C. Rand & Avery.




PREFACE.


The numerous friends of the author of this little work will need no
greater recommendation than his name to make it welcome. Among all
the singular and interesting records to which the institution of
American slavery has given rise, we know of none more striking, more
characteristic and instructive, than that of JOSIAH HENSON.

Born a slave--a slave in effect in a heathen land--and under a heathen
master, he grew up without Christian light or knowledge, and like
the Gentiles spoken of by St. Paul, "without the law did by nature
the things that are written in the law." One sermon, one offer of
salvation by Christ, was sufficient for him, as for the Ethiopian
eunuch, to make him at once a believer from the heart and a preacher
of Jesus.

To the great Christian doctrine of forgiveness of enemies and the
returning of good for evil, he was by God's grace made a faithful
witness, under circumstances that try men's souls and make us all
who read it say, "lead us not into such temptation." We earnestly
commend this portion of his narrative to those who, under much smaller
temptations, think themselves entitled to render evil for evil.

The African race appear as yet to have been companions only of the
sufferings of Christ. In the melancholy scene of his death--while
Europe in the person of the Roman delivered him unto death, and Asia
in the person of the Jew clamored for his execution--Africa was
represented in the person of Simon the Cyrenean, who came patiently
bearing after him the load of the cross; and ever since then poor
Africa has been toiling on, bearing the weary cross of contempt and
oppression after Jesus. But they who suffer with him shall also reign;
and when the unwritten annals of slavery shall appear in the judgment,
many Simons who have gone meekly bearing their cross after Jesus to
unknown graves, shall rise to thrones and crowns! Verily a day shall
come when he shall appear for these his hidden ones, and then "many
that are last shall be first, and the first shall be last."

Our excellent friend has prepared this edition of his works for the
purpose of redeeming from slavery a beloved brother, who has groaned
for many years under the yoke of a hard master. Whoever would help
Jesus, were he sick or in prison, may help him now in the person of
these his little ones, his afflicted and suffering children. The work
is commended to the kind offices of all who love our Lord Jesus Christ
in sincerity.

          H. B. STOWE.

    ANDOVER, MASS., April 5, 1858.




CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I.

MY BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD.

Earliest memories.--Born in Maryland.--My father's
first appearance.--Attempted outrage on my mother.--My
father's fight with an overseer.--One hundred
stripes and his ear cut off.--Throws away his banjo
and becomes morose.--Sold South,                                 1


CHAPTER II.

MY FIRST GREAT TRIAL.

Origin of my name.--A kind master.--He is drowned.--My
mother's prayers.--A slave auction.--Torn
from my mother.--Severe sickness.--A cruel master.--Sold
again and restored to my mother,                                 8


CHAPTER III.

MY BOYHOOD AND YOUTH.

Early employment.--Slave-life.--Food, lodging,
clothing.--Amusements.--Gleams of sunshine.--My
knight-errantry.--Become an overseer and general
superintendent,                                                 16


CHAPTER IV.

MY CONVERSION.

A good man.--Hear a sermon for the first time.--Its
effects upon me.--Prayer and communion.--Its first
fruits,                                                         25


CHAPTER V.

MAIMED FOR LIFE.

Taking care of my drunken master.--His fight with an
overseer.--Rescue him.--