Slave Life in Georgia

'Slave Life in Georgia: A Narrative of the Life, Sufferings, and Escape of John Brown' unveils the gripping odyssey of a man known as Fed, whose escape from the clutches of slavery leads him on a transformative journey to England. Sold into bondage at the tender age of ten, Fed's narrative paints a vivid picture of the perils faced by a young slave thrust into the rapidly developing landscape of Georgia. The narrative begins with Fed's acquisition by a slave trader, destined for the burgeoning state of Georgia. There, he becomes the property of Thomas Stevens, a Welsh-descendant planter with a cotton plantation and whiskey still near Milledgeville. Over the course of more than 15 years, Fed toils under Stevens, providing a firsthand account of the planter's brutal and savage treatment. The narrative lays bare the relentless physical abuse inflicted not only upon Fed but also upon his fellow enslaved individuals. As fate takes a turn, Fed finds himself under the ownership of Dr. Thomas Hamilton in Clinton, Georgia, where cruel experimentation, including heat remedies, becomes part of his daily existence. The narrative vividly details the harsh conditions and inhumane practices endured by Fed and his fellow captives under Dr. Hamilton's care. Fed's escape, marked by several attempts and fueled by the desire for freedom, culminates in a new identity-John Brown. The narrative follows Brown's arduous journey northward, where he finds work in various places. In a bold move to secure his freedom, Brown sets sail for England in 1850. This strategic decision proves crucial, as the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law in the United States heightens the risk for escaped slaves even in ostensibly free states. 'Slave Life in Georgia' stands as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the quest for freedom in the face of oppressive circumstances.

John Brown (c. 1810-1876), also known by his slave name, 'Fed', was born into slavery on a plantation in Southampton County, Virginia. He is known for his memoir published in London, England in 1855, Slave Life in Georgia: A Narrative of the Life, Sufferings, and Escape of John Brown, a Fugitive Slave, Now in England. This slave narrative, dictated to a helper who wrote it, recounted his life and later escape from slavery in Georgia. He lived in London from 1850 to the end of his life, marrying an English woman.