Making Freedom: The Extraordinary Life of Venture Smith

by Chandler B. Saint, George A. Krimsky, James O. Horton (Contributor)

The inspiring story of an 18th-century New England slave who emancipated himself

Making Freedom is the first in-depth exploration of the life of Venture Smith (1728–1805), a New England slave who was sold into bondage as a boy in Africa and labored for nearly a quarter-century before purchasing his own freedom and transforming himself into a highly respected American citizen. Drawing on years of research and documentation, including Venture Smith's rare personal autobiography, Saint and Krimsky vividly recount the extraordinary challenges he overcame. They cast a rare light on what it was like to be an African American in the north during the Colonial era. This story's relevance today prompted the BBC to produce a documentary on scholars' efforts to learn more about Venture Smith, his life, and family. The book includes a wealth of illustrations, a timeline, and Smith's original 1798 narrative in facsimile form.

204 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2008

Reviews

[D.M. Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biography of Venture Smith was initially reported in during his lifetime based on an interview with him. His story is extraordinary, but more importantly it paints a very rare portrait of the slave experience in New England before the practice was ultimately outlawed. Northern slavery could be every bit as cruel as the treatment of Southern slaves, though Northern slavery had additional dimensions. For example, we learn from Venture Smith that he was allowed one day a week to work for wages and eventually raised the enormous sum of seventy pounds to buy his own freedom.

The tale of Venture Smith is a story that every American should know. It is story of amazing determination. Venture Smith came to Connecticut a slave, but died not only a freeman, but a wealthy man of some prominence. His casket was carried to its resting place by both black and white pallbearers. He owned land and boat by which to carry freight up and down the Connecticut River. He bought the freedom of his wife and children and many other slaves as well.

Venture Smith did fight the society that had shipped him from his native Africa to a new continent. He sought to take his place among the colonists and prosper along with them in the New World. This addition provides additional historical background that is not provided in the original narrative version and most readers will find this additional information to be helpful.

This is one of the most inspiring books you will ever read because it is the story of one of the most determined men who ever lived.

[Linda]

Biography of an enslaved man who bought his freedom and became very successful over the course of his life in Connecticut. Final home n Haddam.