Abolitionist, author, businessman. Born a slave in Virginia but transported to Canandaigua, New York by his master who got in to financial difficulties. His master also hired his slaves out to local farmers. Some of these men treated him horrifically, which defined his reason to escape. He was freed in 1813 and was a friend of abolitionist groups who helped him go to school in Victor, New York. He reached Canada in 1815 where he joined the Wilberforce Colony that had been established by the Society of Friends. In 1817 he moved to Rochesterville (now Rochester) and opened a meat market. Signs of the business was destroyed by whites, but soon the business became popular among all citizens. With the proceeds of his business, he helped slaves to escape and helped support the small ex-slave community of Wilberforce Colony in Canada. He was respected both within Rochester and among free Black people all over the country. He helped establish The Sabbath School for Coloreds and he wrote and lectured on economical, political, and social equality. His book Twenty-Two Years A Slave, Forty Years A Freeman published in 1857 is considered one of the best slave narratives published.

Abolitionist, author, businessman. Born a slave in Virginia but transported to Canandaigua, New York by his master who got in to financial difficulties. His master also hired his slaves out to local farmers. Some of these men treated him horrifically, which defined his reason to escape. He was freed in 1813 and was a friend of abolitionist groups who helped him go to school in Victor, New York. He reached Canada in 1815 where he joined the Wilberforce Colony that had been established by the Society of Friends. In 1817 he moved to Rochesterville (now Rochester) and opened a meat market. Signs of the business was destroyed by whites, but soon the business became popular among all citizens. With the proceeds of his business, he helped slaves to escape and helped support the small ex-slave community of Wilberforce Colony in Canada. He was respected both within Rochester and among free Black people all over the country. He helped establish The Sabbath School for Coloreds and he wrote and lectured on economical, political, and social equality. His book Twenty-Two Years A Slave, Forty Years A Freeman published in 1857 is considered one of the best slave narratives published.