Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-06
WILLIAM HANSON.
Died November IA. 1888.
Aged 1l2 wears.

This simple inscription was marked upon
the silver plate on the lid OF the coffin that in
closed the remains OF venerable negro whose
cyentful life terminated only after he had lived
nearly twice the number Of wears usually al
lotted 10 mankind His history Is obscure, and
the slight glimp>cs Of his early years. given
by himself. seem TO connect him closely with
the era OF the Revolution. He was = man Of a
past generation. William Hanson wa. proba-
bly, born before the breaking out Of the Revo-
lutionary War. This fact Is not established by
any other confrmatory evidence than his own
memory. But his description Of event, which
occurred a century ago j. too accurate 10 adj
nit Of any other belief. He was born OF slave
parents and spent the greater portion Of hi.
life in bondage OF his parent. nothing i,
known. They were probably among the
thousands Of human beings who were rcent-
lessly torn from their homes and frcighted like
merchandise from one section ~ the country
10 another until every trace was lost. At his
earliest recollection he was owned by a man
whose cruelty made him feared by al his slaves.
Right here II might be stated that hi> real name
was not Hanson. The latter was only adopted
by him after his escape from slavery lie
could never be moved 10 disclose hi. identity.
His lip Were sealed and hi, true name wa.
buried with him. While yet boy he wa. sold
but after few wears 81 -er,itude with thi,
master he escaped 10 another plantation only
10 be treated even worse than ever before He
seemed fatcd 10 endure the lash and anger of
cruel tyrani At this last place he married
and settled down 10 work A. field hand. toll
ing faithfully for many wears But after See
ing his children pass one by one under the auc-
tionccr's hammer, he, in frenzy Of despair.
for>ook hi> wife, and under the mantle OF
the night pushed forward for the land Of ILL
erty.
Father Hanson. a. he was Familiarity known.
did not know hi. own age. and il i, only by
comparison that one can approximate the wears
Of hi, life. During his twenty wears residence
IN HYDE Park he has been intimately ASSOCIATE
ed with few persons who have befrien,!ed
him in his weakness and poverty. and il was
TO them only that he disclosed the few Incl
dents that establish the proof Of his longevity.
Mrs. VI. Sunderland. beneath whose roof he
was first given shelter when he reached HYDE
Park. relates the story Of his life As told bv
himself at different times during the last twen.
~ years. The few facts We're only CLEANED bv
close questioning, for the old man was extreme
~ reticent. and would only talk 10 known
friends. The story is substantially as follows:
When very Young lad he was in Baltimore.
and remembered the visit OF a ..n,reat French
soldier as he expressed il. to that citv. He
small In a;
ca the enthusiasm with which he followed
the bands about the streets. and his horror
when finding himself lost in the crowd La
fayette's first visit TO America W AS in October
l..I. and although history is silent on that
point It Is probable that he stopped at Balti-
more while en- route for PHILADELPHIA. Han
son would have been between seven and eight
wears OF age at that time. A few wears after
that he was deemed old enough to make him
self useful. and was ordered TO carry wood and
water for an old lady, probably relative Of
his master. These few years were the happi-
est of his slave life. The aged woman took
particular liking for the little lad under her
charge and, noticing the peculiar sweetness of
his voice, taught him many hymns. This ac-
complshment cung TO him throughout his
life. and though he could neither read nor
write yet up to the time Of his death his voice
retained IFS strength and clearness. He re-
ceived his first severe whipping while working
for her. He was obliged to get up quite early
and make the fires, but having oversight one
morning was terribly punished by his master
and then thrown into dark cellar for two or
three days. He was released BY his friends
intercession in his behalf. With the lady,s
death his real troubles commenced. He was
sold to another man, and after few wears Of
privation and suffering he ran away. OF his
life under this master he had but the faintest
recollection. From the fact that he remember
ed working in rice field it may be inferred
that he was then in South Carolina. His life
here was one of intolerable suffering, and it
was not many years before he seized an oppor-
tunify to escape. He found his way North
az far rs Maryland, and the next incident es-