Solomon Northup's ancestry goes back even further than his father. His father is thought to be born in 1772 and passed away on November 22, 1829. Historians claim he acquired 56 or 57 years. Northup certifies that his paternal side resided in Rhode Island and belonged to the Northup family. With his father,Mintus, the Northup's moved to Hoosic, in Rensselaer county. When his master, Capt. Henry Northup passed away, Mintus gained his freedom through his master's Will. Mintus moved to Essex county, New York where he led a prosperous life. He married a woman named Binore, who beared two children into this world, Solomon and Joseph. Solomon's father rose to success as a farmer and even owned enough land to maintain the right …show more content…
Solomon grew up to become a well educated and respectable man, even with the discrimination they faced. This is because his father stressed education and desired that his children receive as much as they could. As a young man, Northup spent a large amount of time reading and playing the violin.
Solomon's Adult Life
In 1829, on Christmas Day, Northup married Anne Hampton, a woman from several ancestral origins. Anne was well known for amazing hand in the kitchen. People loved to be served by her. They built a life together with three children in Saratoga Springs, New York. His children were named Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo. Through out his free life, Northup served as a carpenter and laborer. He lead a life filled with happiness. Until--of course-- he was drugged and enslaved by two white men promising him extensive wages. However, his story is not over yet.
Slavery in America:
Beginnings of …show more content…
His ancestry dates back to slaves in Rhode Island. Northup's early life consisted of receiving an education as well as he was allowed. In his past time, he often read and became a master of the violin. At age 21, Northup married Anne Hampton and raised a family with three children. To support his family, Northup was an industrial man, working in the trades of farming, lumber jacking, and a musician. He often played the violin of various clubs. Solomon's life would change in 1841 when he meets two white men who promise his generous wages if he performs in a circus and travels to Washington, D.C. The men drug Solomon and sell him into slavery. During the course of the next months, Solomon spends much of his time in slave pens and auctions. To hide his past his name is altered to "Platt".Around this time he discusses one of the most well known events from his memoir--the separation of Eliza from her children. Throughout his enslavement, Northup is sold to many plantation owners, most of which he had conflict with because of his resilient nature. In fact, Northup became so outraged at his master, Tibeats, that he whips him when he tries to whip Northup. Northup is then sold to Edwin Epps. He meets a young slave girl named Patsey here. She is repeatedly raped by Epps and deals with the angry wrath of his wife's jealousy. Almost broken by the experiences he encounters,Solomon begins to lose hope. Although Epps was a