12 Years a Slave Chapters 1-11 Flashcards
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Questions and Answers

In what year was Solomon Northup rescued from bondage?

January 1853

What was the name of Solomon Northup's father?

Mintus Northup

How did Northup's father become a free man?

His owner passed away and in his will he freed all of his slaves

When was Solomon Northup born?

<p>July 1808</p> Signup and view all the answers

On what date did Solomon Northup's father die?

<p>November 22, 1829</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Solomon's older brother's name?

<p>Joseph</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'ruling passion' of Solomon's youth?

<p>Playing the violin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who did Solomon marry on Christmas Day, 1829?

<p>Anne Hampton</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what city did Solomon Northup reside until spring of 1841?

<p>Alden Farm; Saratoga</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of Northup's three children?

<p>Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Solomon describe the appearance of Merill Brown?

<p>40 yr old, short, thick-set and very intelligent, wore a black hat and coat</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Solomon describe the appearance of Abram Hamilton?

<p>Little, dark brown coat and very feminine and a fancy vest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What metropolis did Solomon hope to visit when he accepted the offer to work for Brown and Hamilton?

<p>New York City</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Solomon write his wife to tell her that he was leaving Saratoga?

<p>Because she was out of town and he thought he would be back before she got back</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what city does Solomon witness one of Brown and Hamilton's performances?

<p>Albany, New York</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Brown and Hamilton tell Solomon that he should procure free papers before leaving New York?

<p>Because they were going to Washington D.C. and it was a slave state</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long did Solomon stay while in Philadelphia?

<p>2 days (1 night)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what hotel did Solomon stay while in Washington?

<p>Gadsey</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much money did Brown and Hamilton pay Solomon in Washington?

<p>$43</p> Signup and view all the answers

What caused Solomon to start feeling ill?

<p>The drinks (drugged him)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens after Solomon is told that it was necessary to go to a physician and procure some medicine?

<p>Passed out and woke up 'fettered'</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'fettered'?

<p>Handcuff/chained</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Solomon describe James H. Bush?

<p>5'10, looked mean and ugly; chestnut hair; 40 yrs old</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Theophilus Freeman?

<p>Slave trader from New Orleans</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'lackey'?

<p>Helper</p> Signup and view all the answers

Williams' slave pen where Northup was held was within the very shadow of the Capitol?

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

To what city did Burch tell Solomon he was going to send him?

<p>New Orleans</p> Signup and view all the answers

Burch claimed that Northup was a runaway from which state?

<p>Georgia</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was (Ebenezer) Radburn's job (business)?

<p>Slave overseer/trader</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Northup describe 'the paddle'?

<p>About the size of 2 open hands and had holes in it</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the cat-o'-nine-tails?

<p>A whip</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Northup, which was more painful, the paddle or the rope?

<p>Rope</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the meal that Radburn brings to Northup.

<p>Shriveled pork, bread, and water</p> Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Clemens Ray offer to Northup?

<p>Don't talk about your freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Burch come to own John Williams?

<p>By trading him for a debt</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Randall?

<p>Little boy; Eliza's son</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of questions did Ray and Williams ask about New York?

<p>How colored people were treated; how they could have families without anyone to oppress them</p> Signup and view all the answers

How long did Northup remain in Williams' slave pen?

<p>2 weeks</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Emily?

<p>8 yr old; daughter of Eliza; mixed with the old slave owner's daughter</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Eliza?

<p>Randall and Emily's mom</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Emily's father?

<p>Mr. Berry</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who delivered Eliza to Burch? Why was she shocked by this?

<p>Mr. Brooks; his son-in-law who received Eliza and kids through a divorce</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was absent from the plantation when Jacob Brooks betrayed Eliza?

<p>Mr. Berry</p> Signup and view all the answers

Before boarding the tile boat, who is Northup handcuffed to?

<p>Clem Ray</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why had John Williams been removed from the cell?

<p>Had been redeemed by his master</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the steamboat, upon which Northup is loaded, pay tribute to the tomb of Washington? What is the irony of this gesture?

<p>The bell tolled; the bell means freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Northup say that he envies the birds he sees along the river?

<p>He wishes he could fly North to see his family</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stop the steamer makes after leaving Washington?

<p>Aquia Creek</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the chief city of Virginia (in 1841)?

<p>Richmond</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Northup describe Mr. Goodin?

<p>Short, fat, dark complexion, whiskers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Robert? Where was he born?

<p>A slave who was also born free; Cincinnati</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Burch get upset when Northup tells Goodin that he has come from New York?

<p>Because he told him not to tell anyone</p> Signup and view all the answers

To where does Clem Ray eventually escape? How does Northup learn about this?

<p>Canada; he stayed with Northup's brother-in-law on his way</p> Signup and view all the answers

Onto what brig is Northup loaded in Richmond?

<p>Orleans</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is Northup's impression of Maria?

<p>Ignorant and extremely vain</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Arthur's occupation before he was kidnapped and enslaved?

<p>A mason by trade</p> Signup and view all the answers

After leaving Norfolk, what appointment was given to Northup?

<p>Superintendent of the cooking department</p> Signup and view all the answers

How many times are slaves fed a day? At what times?

<p>Twice, at 12 and 15</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of Robert's death?

<p>Small pox virus</p> Signup and view all the answers

To whom does Northup write a letter, stating he had been kidnapped?

<p>Henry B. Northup</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who mailed Northup's letter?

<p>A sailor</p> Signup and view all the answers

What good fortune does Arthur experience when they reach the levee?

<p>2 men went and rescued him</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Northup describe the appearance of Theosophist Freeman?

<p>The personification of courage</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why doesn't Northup answer when Freeman calls 'Platt' to come forward?

<p>Because he had never been called or assigned that name</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Northup, at least how many slaves were being held in Freeman's slave pen?

<p>50</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Northup, how did Mr. Theophilus Freeman prepare his slaves for the sales-room?

<p>He separated the men and women and had them separated from tallest to shortest</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do Bob and Northup have in common?

<p>Both played the violin</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did scars on a slave's back hurt their sale values?

<p>It showed they had an attitude</p> Signup and view all the answers

What price does Freeman place on Northup?

<p>$1500</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were David and Caroline pleased when they were sold?

<p>Because they were not separated</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Eliza so upset when Randell was sold?

<p>She wanted to keep her children together and not separate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who tells Northup that he has contracted small pox?

<p>Dr. Carr</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Northup believe that he was going to die?

<p>He was blind for 3 days and was told if he lived until 9 he should be fine</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much is Northup eventually sold for?

<p>$1000</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Eliza sold for?

<p>$700</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why won't Freeman sell Emily?

<p>He wanted to wait and sell her for $5000 for prostitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the steamboat that Northup boarded when leaving New Orleans?

<p>Roldolph</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is Northup's new master?

<p>William Ford</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Northup describe his master?

<p>Good Christian man; kind and gentle</p> Signup and view all the answers

What slave name was given to Eliza?

<p>Draddy</p> Signup and view all the answers

How far was Ford's plantation from Lamourie?

<p>12 miles</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name at least three types of trees that can be found in the 'pine woods'.

<p>White oak, chicapin, yellow pond</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the appearance of William Ford's residence.

<p>2 stories; with a piazza in front, a log kitchen, and slave cabins</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of work does Northup perform for most of the summer?

<p>Chopping logs and piling lumber</p> Signup and view all the answers

Master Ford allowed his slaves to have Bibles?

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was 'Ford's Platt' pronounced the 'smarter n' in the Pine Woods?

<p>Made a raft to transfer lumber</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Cascalla?

<p>Chief of a tribe</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was William Ford forced to dispose of 18 of his slaves?

<p>Because he was in debt</p> Signup and view all the answers

To whom was Northup sold?

<p>Tibets</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much was the chattel mortgage that Ford took out on Northup?

<p>$400</p> Signup and view all the answers

How far was Bayou Boeuf from the Pine Woods?

<p>27 miles</p> Signup and view all the answers

Upon arriving at Bayou Boeuf, who does Northup meet?

<p>Eliza</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was Eliza sent to work in the fields?

<p>She didn't please Mrs. Ford</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was Mr. Chapin?

<p>Ford's overseer</p> Signup and view all the answers

What name was given to the residence of Chapin?

<p>Great house</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does Tibets want to whip Northup?

<p>The nails he used were too big</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Tibets tries to whip Northup?

<p>Northup fights back</p> Signup and view all the answers

What instructions does Chapin give to Northup after Tibets departs on the road for Cheneyville?

<p>Not to run and to not be scared</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do Tibets and his two men intend to do with Northup?

<p>Hang him</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Chapin prevent Northup from being killed?

<p>Comes out with pistols</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Solomon Northup's Background

  • Solomon Northup was born in July 1808.
  • His father, Mintus Northup, was freed due to his owner's will upon the owner's death.
  • Northup's family included his wife, Anne Hampton, whom he married on Christmas Day 1829, and three children: Elizabeth, Margaret, and Alonzo.

Early Life and Career

  • Northup lived in Saratoga until Spring 1841, working as a free man and a violinist, his youthful passion.
  • His older brother was named Joseph.

Kidnapping and Enslavement

  • Northup was deceived by Brown and Hamilton, whom he worked for, into traveling to Washington, D.C., a slave state.
  • He was advised to secure free papers before leaving New York.
  • After arriving in Washington, Northup was drugged, captured, and later described as “fettered,” meaning he was handcuffed and chained.
  • He witnessed a performance in Albany, New York, before being illegally sold into slavery.

Experiences as a Slave

  • Northup described the cruelties of slavery, including the paddle and the cat-o'-nine-tails as tools of punishment.
  • He encountered fellow slaves, including Elmira, the daughter of Eliza, and Randall, Eliza's son.
  • Northup spent two weeks in Williams' slave pen before being sold for $1,000.
  • Eliza, Northup's fellow slave, was distraught when her son Randell was sold, showcasing the emotional toll of slavery.

Masters and Life on Plantations

  • Northup's first master was William Ford, described as a kind and good Christian man.
  • Work included chopping logs, and he later became the superintendent of the cooking department.
  • Ford's plantation was noted for its specific tree types, including white oaks and yellow ponds.
  • Northup was sold to Tibets due to Ford's debt and came into conflict with Tibets and his overseers.

Escape and Rescue Efforts

  • Northup put himself at risk, fighting back against abusive overseers and defying orders to not fear or run.
  • A letter written to Henry B. Northup led to a rescue effort, where two men eventually freed him.
  • Clem Ray, Northup's confidant, successfully escaped to Canada, further demonstrating the dangers faced by free blacks and enslaved individuals.

Denial of Identity and Struggles

  • Northup struggled with his identity as he was called "Platt," a name he refused to respond to because it was not his true name.
  • Over 50 slaves were held in Theophilus Freeman's slave pen, where Northup experienced the grim reality of the slave market.

Historical Context of Slavery

  • The narrative describes the emotional and physical struggles of slaves and addresses legal constraints and economic exploitation during the era.
  • The classification of slaves by value and their treatment reflected the broader systemic issues of slavery, emphasizing the lack of human rights and dignity.

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Test your knowledge of the first eleven chapters of '12 Years a Slave' with these flashcards. Explore key dates, names, and events that shaped Solomon Northup's life and experiences. Ideal for students or anyone interested in American history and literature.

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