The life of Josiah Henson
Subtitle: formerly a slave, now an inhabitant of Canada
By: as narrated by himself
Contributors: Eliot, Samuel Atkins, 1798-1862, transcriber, editor; Bullard, Mary L., former owner
Published: 1849
Language: eng
Format: [manuscript] :
Number of pages: 106
Subjects: Fugitive slaves; Slaves; Biography
Description: One manuscript, in the hand of Samuel Atkins Eliot, dictated from the words of Josiah Henson in 1849. This narrative was first published the same year, to significant fanfare, and was subsquetly issued in numerous editions, both domestically and internationally. In the years following the first published edition of this narrative, Henson was said to have been Harriet Beecher Stowe's inspiration for the character of Uncle Tom. This manuscript contains a number of corrections and insertions, presumably in the hand of Eliot himself.
Notes: Title copied from title page.

Given to the Library by Mrs. Mary L. Bullard, of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and her sister.

First published under the same title in 1849 by Arthur D. Phelps in Boston.

At the bottom of the manuscript title page, the would-be imprint -- presumably intended to be the first -- reads: Boston: Published for the author, Charles C. Little & James Brown, 1849.

Written on blue, unlined note paper watermarked with the name "Jessups." This manuscript has been disbound, conserved, and is now housed, unbound, in a cloth preservation box.

Accompanied by a manuscript ascription of provenance and gift plate.