The Journal of Negro History, Volume 3, 1918 | Page 8

in
it but proved to be an asset of the whole section.
In the course of time, however, the institution became heavily indebted
and some means of relief had to be found. At a meeting of the trustees
it was decided to separate the management of the mill from that of the
school. It was easy to find some one to take over the school, but few
dared to think of assuming the management of the mill, which was
indebted to the amount of seven thousand five hundred dollars. Henson
accepted the management of the latter on the condition that Peter B.
Smith would assume an equal share of the responsibility. Henson then
proceeded to England to raise funds to pay the debts of the mill. Well
supplied with letters of recommendation from some of the most
prominent men in the United States, he easily connected with men of
the same class in England. But before he could raise more than
seventeen hundred dollars, an enemy, jealous of his success, circulated

through the press the report that he was an imposter and was not
authorized to solicit funds for any such purpose.[7] This, of course,
frustrated his plans, but the English people were kind to him. They sent
an agent, John Scobell, to Canada to inquire into the matter, Henson
accompanying him. A thorough investigation of the affairs of the
institution was made and the charges were repudiated. The person who
circulated them even denied that he had done so. Upon returning to
England Mr. Scobell informed Henson that should he ever desire to
return to England, he would find in the hands of Amos Lawrence, of
Boston, a draft to cover his expenses. Henson did return in 1851 and
raised sufficient money to cancel the entire indebtedness of the
institution. He was compelled to return to Canada soon after his arrival,
however, on account of the fatal illness of his wife, who passed away in
1852.
How Father Henson claimed to be the original Uncle Tom of Mrs.
Stowe's immortal story is more than interesting. Laboring in the
anti-slavery cause, Henson traveled in Canada and New England,
where he was welcomed to the pulpits of ministers of all denominations.
Once when he was in the vicinity of Andover, Massachusetts, Mrs.
Stowe sent for him and his traveling companion, Mr. George Clarke, a
white gentleman promoting the abolition of slavery by singing at
anti-slavery meetings. Mrs. Stowe became deeply interested in
Henson's story and had him narrate in detail the many varied
experiences of his eventful life. He told her, moreover, about the life of
the slave in several sections and the peculiarities of many slaveholders.
Soon thereafter appeared "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Henson said that the
white slaves, George and Eliza Harris, were his particular friends.
Harris's real name was Lewis Clark, who traveled and lectured with
Henson in New England. Clark and his wife lived in Canada and finally
moved to Oberlin to educate their children. Furthermore, Henson says
there was on his plantation a clear-minded, sharp Negro girl, Dinah,
who was almost like Mrs. Stowe's Topsy and that a gentleman Mr. St.
Clair lived in his neighborhood. Bryce Litton, who broke Henson's
arms and so maimed him for life that he could never thereafter touch
the top of his head, he thought, would well represent Mrs. Stowe's cruel
Legree. It has been denied that he was this hero.

When Henson was in England he had the good fortune to exhibit at the
World's Fair there some of his beautifully polished walnut lumber,
which Mr. Jonas Chickering sent over for him. The only exhibitor of
color, he attracted attention from many, among whom was Queen
Victoria, who in passing by was saluted by Henson, which salutation
was returned. She inquired as to whether the exhibit he had charge of
was his work. At the close of the exhibition Henson received a large
quarto bound volume describing the exhibits and listing the exhibitors,
among whom was found Josiah Henson. In addition he was awarded a
bronze medal, a beautiful picture of the Queen and royal family of life
size and several other objects of interest.
While in England Henson had the privilege of meeting some of its most
distinguished citizens. He introduced himself to the thinkers of the
country when, upon hearing an eminent man from Pennsylvania tell the
Sabbath-School Union that all classes in the United States
indiscriminately enjoyed religious instruction. Henson demanded a
hearing and successfully refuted the misrepresentation. Having a
standing invitation, he dined alternately with Samuel Morley and
George Hitchcock, Esq., of St. Paul's Church Yard. Upon meeting Lord
Grey, Henson was asked by the gentleman to go to India to introduce
the culture of cotton, promising him an appointment to an office paying
a handsome salary. Through