Podcast
Questions and Answers
In what year was Solomon Northup rescued from bondage?
In what year was Solomon Northup rescued from bondage?
January 1853
What was the name of Solomon Northup's father?
What was the name of Solomon Northup's father?
Mintus Northup
How did Northup's father become a free man?
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?
When was Solomon Northup born?
On what date did Solomon Northup's father die?
On what date did Solomon Northup's father die?
What was Solomon's older brother's name?
What was Solomon's older brother's name?
What was the 'ruling passion' of Solomon's youth?
What was the 'ruling passion' of Solomon's youth?
Who did Solomon marry on Christmas Day, 1829?
Who did Solomon marry on Christmas Day, 1829?
In what city did Solomon Northup reside until spring of 1841?
In what city did Solomon Northup reside until spring of 1841?
What are the names of Northup's three children?
What are the names of Northup's three children?
How does Solomon describe the appearance of Merill Brown?
How does Solomon describe the appearance of Merill Brown?
How does Solomon describe the appearance of Abram Hamilton?
How does Solomon describe the appearance of Abram Hamilton?
What metropolis did Solomon hope to visit when he accepted the offer to work for Brown and Hamilton?
What metropolis did Solomon hope to visit when he accepted the offer to work for Brown and Hamilton?
Why does Solomon write his wife to tell her that he was leaving Saratoga?
Why does Solomon write his wife to tell her that he was leaving Saratoga?
In what city does Solomon witness one of Brown and Hamilton's performances?
In what city does Solomon witness one of Brown and Hamilton's performances?
Why did Brown and Hamilton tell Solomon that he should procure free papers before leaving New York?
Why did Brown and Hamilton tell Solomon that he should procure free papers before leaving New York?
How long did Solomon stay while in Philadelphia?
How long did Solomon stay while in Philadelphia?
At what hotel did Solomon stay while in Washington?
At what hotel did Solomon stay while in Washington?
How much money did Brown and Hamilton pay Solomon in Washington?
How much money did Brown and Hamilton pay Solomon in Washington?
What caused Solomon to start feeling ill?
What caused Solomon to start feeling ill?
What happens after Solomon is told that it was necessary to go to a physician and procure some medicine?
What happens after Solomon is told that it was necessary to go to a physician and procure some medicine?
What is the meaning of 'fettered'?
What is the meaning of 'fettered'?
How does Solomon describe James H. Bush?
How does Solomon describe James H. Bush?
Who was Theophilus Freeman?
Who was Theophilus Freeman?
What is a 'lackey'?
What is a 'lackey'?
Williams' slave pen where Northup was held was within the very shadow of the Capitol?
Williams' slave pen where Northup was held was within the very shadow of the Capitol?
To what city did Burch tell Solomon he was going to send him?
To what city did Burch tell Solomon he was going to send him?
Burch claimed that Northup was a runaway from which state?
Burch claimed that Northup was a runaway from which state?
What was (Ebenezer) Radburn's job (business)?
What was (Ebenezer) Radburn's job (business)?
How does Northup describe 'the paddle'?
How does Northup describe 'the paddle'?
What is the cat-o'-nine-tails?
What is the cat-o'-nine-tails?
According to Northup, which was more painful, the paddle or the rope?
According to Northup, which was more painful, the paddle or the rope?
Describe the meal that Radburn brings to Northup.
Describe the meal that Radburn brings to Northup.
What advice does Clemens Ray offer to Northup?
What advice does Clemens Ray offer to Northup?
How did Burch come to own John Williams?
How did Burch come to own John Williams?
Who was Randall?
Who was Randall?
What types of questions did Ray and Williams ask about New York?
What types of questions did Ray and Williams ask about New York?
How long did Northup remain in Williams' slave pen?
How long did Northup remain in Williams' slave pen?
Who was Emily?
Who was Emily?
Who was Eliza?
Who was Eliza?
What was the name of Emily's father?
What was the name of Emily's father?
Who delivered Eliza to Burch? Why was she shocked by this?
Who delivered Eliza to Burch? Why was she shocked by this?
Who was absent from the plantation when Jacob Brooks betrayed Eliza?
Who was absent from the plantation when Jacob Brooks betrayed Eliza?
Before boarding the tile boat, who is Northup handcuffed to?
Before boarding the tile boat, who is Northup handcuffed to?
Why had John Williams been removed from the cell?
Why had John Williams been removed from the cell?
How does the steamboat, upon which Northup is loaded, pay tribute to the tomb of Washington? What is the irony of this gesture?
How does the steamboat, upon which Northup is loaded, pay tribute to the tomb of Washington? What is the irony of this gesture?
Why does Northup say that he envies the birds he sees along the river?
Why does Northup say that he envies the birds he sees along the river?
What is the first stop the steamer makes after leaving Washington?
What is the first stop the steamer makes after leaving Washington?
What was the chief city of Virginia (in 1841)?
What was the chief city of Virginia (in 1841)?
How does Northup describe Mr. Goodin?
How does Northup describe Mr. Goodin?
Who was Robert? Where was he born?
Who was Robert? Where was he born?
Why does Burch get upset when Northup tells Goodin that he has come from New York?
Why does Burch get upset when Northup tells Goodin that he has come from New York?
To where does Clem Ray eventually escape? How does Northup learn about this?
To where does Clem Ray eventually escape? How does Northup learn about this?
Onto what brig is Northup loaded in Richmond?
Onto what brig is Northup loaded in Richmond?
What is Northup's impression of Maria?
What is Northup's impression of Maria?
What was Arthur's occupation before he was kidnapped and enslaved?
What was Arthur's occupation before he was kidnapped and enslaved?
After leaving Norfolk, what appointment was given to Northup?
After leaving Norfolk, what appointment was given to Northup?
How many times are slaves fed a day? At what times?
How many times are slaves fed a day? At what times?
What is the cause of Robert's death?
What is the cause of Robert's death?
To whom does Northup write a letter, stating he had been kidnapped?
To whom does Northup write a letter, stating he had been kidnapped?
Who mailed Northup's letter?
Who mailed Northup's letter?
What good fortune does Arthur experience when they reach the levee?
What good fortune does Arthur experience when they reach the levee?
How does Northup describe the appearance of Theosophist Freeman?
How does Northup describe the appearance of Theosophist Freeman?
Why doesn't Northup answer when Freeman calls 'Platt' to come forward?
Why doesn't Northup answer when Freeman calls 'Platt' to come forward?
According to Northup, at least how many slaves were being held in Freeman's slave pen?
According to Northup, at least how many slaves were being held in Freeman's slave pen?
According to Northup, how did Mr. Theophilus Freeman prepare his slaves for the sales-room?
According to Northup, how did Mr. Theophilus Freeman prepare his slaves for the sales-room?
What do Bob and Northup have in common?
What do Bob and Northup have in common?
Why did scars on a slave's back hurt their sale values?
Why did scars on a slave's back hurt their sale values?
What price does Freeman place on Northup?
What price does Freeman place on Northup?
Why were David and Caroline pleased when they were sold?
Why were David and Caroline pleased when they were sold?
Why was Eliza so upset when Randell was sold?
Why was Eliza so upset when Randell was sold?
Who tells Northup that he has contracted small pox?
Who tells Northup that he has contracted small pox?
Why did Northup believe that he was going to die?
Why did Northup believe that he was going to die?
How much is Northup eventually sold for?
How much is Northup eventually sold for?
What was Eliza sold for?
What was Eliza sold for?
Why won't Freeman sell Emily?
Why won't Freeman sell Emily?
What was the name of the steamboat that Northup boarded when leaving New Orleans?
What was the name of the steamboat that Northup boarded when leaving New Orleans?
Who is Northup's new master?
Who is Northup's new master?
How does Northup describe his master?
How does Northup describe his master?
What slave name was given to Eliza?
What slave name was given to Eliza?
How far was Ford's plantation from Lamourie?
How far was Ford's plantation from Lamourie?
Name at least three types of trees that can be found in the 'pine woods'.
Name at least three types of trees that can be found in the 'pine woods'.
Describe the appearance of William Ford's residence.
Describe the appearance of William Ford's residence.
What type of work does Northup perform for most of the summer?
What type of work does Northup perform for most of the summer?
Master Ford allowed his slaves to have Bibles?
Master Ford allowed his slaves to have Bibles?
Why was 'Ford's Platt' pronounced the 'smarter n' in the Pine Woods?
Why was 'Ford's Platt' pronounced the 'smarter n' in the Pine Woods?
Who was Cascalla?
Who was Cascalla?
Why was William Ford forced to dispose of 18 of his slaves?
Why was William Ford forced to dispose of 18 of his slaves?
To whom was Northup sold?
To whom was Northup sold?
How much was the chattel mortgage that Ford took out on Northup?
How much was the chattel mortgage that Ford took out on Northup?
How far was Bayou Boeuf from the Pine Woods?
How far was Bayou Boeuf from the Pine Woods?
Upon arriving at Bayou Boeuf, who does Northup meet?
Upon arriving at Bayou Boeuf, who does Northup meet?
Why was Eliza sent to work in the fields?
Why was Eliza sent to work in the fields?
Who was Mr. Chapin?
Who was Mr. Chapin?
What name was given to the residence of Chapin?
What name was given to the residence of Chapin?
Why does Tibets want to whip Northup?
Why does Tibets want to whip Northup?
What happens when Tibets tries to whip Northup?
What happens when Tibets tries to whip Northup?
What instructions does Chapin give to Northup after Tibets departs on the road for Cheneyville?
What instructions does Chapin give to Northup after Tibets departs on the road for Cheneyville?
What do Tibets and his two men intend to do with Northup?
What do Tibets and his two men intend to do with Northup?
How does Chapin prevent Northup from being killed?
How does Chapin prevent Northup from being killed?
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.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
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.
