Narrative of the Life of J.D. Green, a Runaway Slave, from Kentucky

Narrative of the Life of J.D. Green, a Runaway Slave, from Kentucky

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Title: Narrative of the Life of J.D. Green, a Runaway Slave, from Kentucky Containing an Account of His Three Escapes, in 1839, 1846, and 1848
Author: Jacob D. Green
Release Date: February 21, 2005 [EBook #15128]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
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NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF J.D. GREEN, A RUNAWAY SLAVE, FROM KENTUCKY,
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF HIS THREE ESCAPES, In 1839, 1846, and 1848.
EIGHTH THOUSAND.
HUDDERSFIELD: PRINTED BY HENRY FIELDING, PACK HORSE YARD. 1864
[_Transcriber's Note: This project was transcribed from a contemporary printing of the work, not from the 1864 edition. Certain spellings may have been modernized and typographic and printer's errors changed from the original._]
TESTIMONIALS.
Jacob Green, a coloured man and an escaped slave, has lectured in my hearing, on American Slavery, in Springfield School-room, and I was much pleased with the propriety with which he was able to express himself, and with the capabilities which he seemed to possess to interest an audience.
GILBERT Mc.CALLUM. Minister of Springfield Independent Chapel, Dewsbury. Sept 2, 1863.
* * * * *
Hopton House, Sept. 10, 1863.
I have much pleasure in bearing my testimony in favour of Mr. Jacob Green, as a lecturer on the subject of American Slavery, having been present when he gave an able and efficient lecture here about a month ago. Having himself witnessed and experienced the fearful effects of that accursed "institution," he is well fitted to describe its horrors, and I have no doubt that amongst certain classes, his labours in the anti-slavery cause may be more telling and efficient than those of more highly educated lecturers who do not profess his peculiar advantages. I shall be well pleased to hear of him being employed by any anti-slavery society.
JAMES CAMERON, Minister of Hopton Chapel.
* * * * *
Eccleshill, Sept. 11, 1863.
Mr. Jacob Green gave a lecture on Slavery, in our School-room here, about two months ago, which I considered a very able one; and it was so considered by my people.
JOHN ASTON.
* * * * *
I certify that Mr. Jacob Green has delivered two lectures in the Foresters' Hall, Denholm, to a very numerous audience; and on each occasion has given great satisfaction. The subjects were, first--Slavery,--second, the American War. He lectures remarkably well, and has a powerful voice; and I have not the least doubt would give satisfaction in lecturing elsewhere. The chair on each occasion was taken--first, by myself as incumbent--second, by the Rev. T. Roberts, Independent Minister.
J.F.N. EYRE. Incumbent of Denholm. Oct. 18th, 1863.
* * * * *
I can thoroughly endorse the sentiments of the Rev. J.F.N. Eyre, herein recorded.
T. ROBERTS.
* * * * *
Mr. J.D. Green has lectured four times in our Schoolrooms, and each time he has given very great satisfaction to a large assembly. From what I have seen of him, I believe him to be worthy of public sympathy and support.
WILLIAM INMAN, Minister. Ovenden, Nov. 14, 1863.

NARRATIVE, &c.
My father and mother were owned by Judge Charles Earle, of Queen Anne's County, Maryland, and I was born on the 24th of August, 1813.
From eight to eleven years of age I was employed as an errand boy, carrying water principally for domestic purposes, for 113 slaves and the family. As I grew older, in the mornings I was employed looking after the cows, and waiting in the house, and at twelve years I remember being in great danger of losing my life in a singular way. I had seen the relish with which master and friends took drink from a bottle, and seeing a similar bottle in the closet, I thought what was good for them would be good for me, and I laid hold of the bottle and took a good draught of (Oh, horror of horrors) oxalic acid, and the doctor said my safety was occasioned by a habit I had of putting my head in the milk pail and drinking milk, as by doing so the milk caused me to vomit and saved my life. About this time my mother was sold to a trader named Woodfork, and where she was conveyed I have not heard up to the present time. This circumstance caused serious reflections in my mind, as to the situation of slaves, and caused me to contrast the condition of a white