23 Facts About Josiah Henson

Josiah Henson was an author, abolitionist, and minister.

Josiah Henson was born on a farm near Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland, on a plantation owned by Francis Newman, where Henson experienced slave atrocities.

Josiah Henson experienced hardships and sufferings at the hands of his masters as well, including having his arms broken and an injury to his back.

Josiah Henson's mother was bought by Issac Riley of Montgomery County and when she pleaded to her new owner to purchase Josiah Henson, Riley responded by hitting and kicking her.

Josiah Henson was sold to Adam Robb of Rockville, Montgomery County.

Adam Robb encountered Issac Riley and struck a deal which resulted in Josiah Henson being sold to Riley and reunited with his mother.

Josiah Henson's mother pleaded with her owner, Isaac Riley, and Riley agreed to buy back Henson so she could at least have her youngest child with her, on the condition that he would work in the fields.

Riley would not regret his decision, for Josiah Henson rose in his owners' esteem, and was eventually entrusted as the supervisor of his master's farm, located in Montgomery County, Maryland.

In September 1828, Josiah Henson returned to Maryland and attempted to buy his freedom from Riley.

The Josiah Henson family left Kentucky, travelling through the night, and sleeping in the woods throughout the day.

On October 28,1830, Josiah Henson became a liberated man.

Josiah Henson first worked on farms near Fort Erie, then Waterloo Ontario, moving with friends to Colchester in 1834 to set up a Black settlement on rented land.

Josiah Henson became literate and was able to lead the growing community of fugitive slaves in Canada.

Josiah Henson purchased an additional 200 acres next to the Settlement, where his family lived.

Josiah Henson became an active Methodist preacher and spoke as an abolitionist on routes between Tennessee and Ontario.

Josiah Henson served in the Canadian Militia as a military officer, having led a Black militia unit in the Canadian Rebellion of 1837.

Josiah Henson became the spiritual leader within the community and embarked on several trips to the United States and Great Britain where he met with Queen Victoria.

Josiah Henson conducted several trips back to Kentucky to guide other slaves to freedom.

In 1878, Rev Josiah Henson was described as "a jovial old man", who "considering his age is pretty active".

Josiah Henson was a Prince Hall Freemason, belonging to Mount Moriah Lodge No 11 under the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ontario and Jurisdiction.

Josiah Henson is the first black man to be featured on a Canadian stamp.

Josiah Henson was recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 1999 as a National Historic Person.

In 1991, a playwright was hired to create a drama based on Henson's Daviess County years; in the summer of 1993, Josiah was staged at the RiverPark Center in Owensboro and its six-night run drew more than 4,000 people.