Summary

Chapter 1

Born a free black man, Solomon Northup explains that the twelve years after he was kidnapped in which he was held as a slave has been of interest to many. It has been recommended that he set down his experiences in writing, which he now does. He wishes not only to give an account of his life, but of his experiences with slavery.

Solomon is born in July of 1808, in Minerva, Essex County, New York, the son of a slave freed in the will of his master. Solomon’s father teaches Solomon and Solomon's older brother Joseph about morality and to trust in God. Solomon spends his childhood working on the family’s farm and playing the violin, which is his passion. Solomon marries a black girl named Anne Hampton on Christmas Day in 1829. They take up residence in a house near...