This eBook edition of "Twenty-Two Years a Slave and Forty Years a Freeman" has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. "Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman" is a slave narrative, detailing Austin Steward's early life of enslavement and escape, as well as his years of freedom and work at Wilber force Colony. Austin Steward (1793 – 1869) was an African-American abolitionist and author. He was born a slave and escaped from Virginia at about age 21, settling in Rochester, New York, and then Canada. Contents: Slave Life on the Plantation At the Great House Horse-racing and Its Consequences Journey to Our New Home in New York Incidents at Sodus Bay Removal From Sodus to Bath Dueling Horse-racing and General Training Death Bed and Bridal Scenes Hired Out to a New Master Thoughts on Freedom Capt. Helm — Divorce — Kidnapping Locate in the Village of Rochester Incidents in Rochester and Vicinity Sad Reverses of Capt. Helm British Emancipation of Slavery Oration — Termination of Slavery Condition of Free Colored People Persecution of the Colored People Removal to Canada Roughing It in the Wilds of Canada Narrow Escape of a Smuggler Narrative of Two Fugitives From Virginia Pleasant Re-union of Old and Tried Friends Private Losses and Private Difficulties Incidents and Peculiarities of the Indians Our Difficulties With Israel Lewis Desperation of a Fugitive Slave A Narrow Escape From My Enemies Death of B. Paul, and Return of His Brother My Family Return to Rochester The Land Agent and the Squatter Character and Death of I. Lewis My Return to Rochester Bishop Brown — Death of My Daughter Celebration of the First of August Correspondence Letter From A. Steward to Wm. L. Garrison

The author does not think that any apology is necessary for this issue of his Life and History. He believes that American Slavery is now the great question before the American People: that it is not merely a political question, coming up before the country as the grand element in the making of a President, and then to be laid aside for four years; but that its moral bearings are of such a nature that the Patriot, the Philanthropist, and all good men agree that it is an evil of so much magnitude, that longer to permit it, is to wink at sin, and to incur the righteous judgments of God. The late outrages and aggressions of the slave power to possess itself of new soil, and extend the influence of the hateful and God-provoking "Institution," is a practical commentary upon its benefits and the moral qualities of those who seek to sustain and extend it. The author is therefore the more willing - nay, anxious, to lay alongside of such arguments the history of his own life and experiences as a slave, that those who read may know what are some of the characteristics of that highly favored intitution, which is sought to be preserved and perpetuated. "Facts are stubborn things,"--And this is the reason why all systems, religious, moral, or social, which are founded in injustice, and supported by fraud and robbery, suffer so much by faithful exposition. he author has endeavored to present a true statement of the practical workings of the system of Slavery, as he has seen and felt it himself. He has intended "nothing to extenuate, nor aught set down in malice;" indeed, so far from believing that he has misrepresented Slavery as an institution, he does not feel that he has the power to give anything like a true picture of it in all its deformity and wickedness; especially that Slavery which is an institution among an enlightened and Christian people, who profess to believe that all men are born free and equal, and who have certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Austin Steward (1793–1869) was an African-American author and abolitionist. Born into slavery, he managed to escape from Virginia aged 21 and moved to Rochester, New York before settling in Canada. “Twenty-Two Years a Slave - And Forty Years a Freeman” is Steward's astonishing 1856 autobiography within which he recounts the travails of his harrowing life as a slave in America, as well as his experiences as a free man. A compelling and heart-breaking slave narrative that will appeal to those with an interest in this dark chapter of American history. Contents include: “Slave Life on the Plantation”, “At the Great House”, “Horse-Racing and its Consequences”, “Journey to our New Home in New York”, “Incidents at Sodus Bay”, “Removal from Sodus to Bath”, “Dueling”, “Horse-Racing and General Training”, “Death Bed and Bridal Scenes”, “Hired out to a New Master”, etc. Read & Co. History is proud to be republishing this classic memoir now in a new edition with an introductory poem by Phillis Wheatley.

Experience the incredible story of Austin Steward, a former slave who became a respected member of his community. This gripping memoir provides a firsthand account of Steward's journey from slavery to freedom, and his vital contributions to the Wilberforce Colony. With fascinating stories and inspiring insights, this book is an essential resource for anyone interested in the history of slavery and abolition. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.