The Dark History of Solomon Northup’s Kidnapping in New Orleans

News Summary

Solomon Northup, a free Black man, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in New Orleans during the 19th century. His memoir, ‘Twelve Years a Slave’, recounts his traumatic journey from freedom to captivity, outlining the brutal realities of the domestic slave trade and its emotional toll on families. This article explores Northup’s story and the implications of New Orleans’ role in the slavery history, highlighting efforts to acknowledge this dark past.

New Orleans – Solomon Northup, a free Black man born in Saratoga Springs, New York, was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 19th century, marking the beginning of a harrowing journey that would see him transported from freedom to the depths of inhumanity in New Orleans. His story, chronicled in the memoir Twelve Years a Slave, provides a firsthand account of the brutal realities of the slave trade and the human cost of systemic oppression.

After being lured to Washington, D.C., Northup was drugged and subsequently transported to New Orleans aboard the brig Orleans. The ship set sail from Richmond, Virginia, on April 27, 1841, and arrived in New Orleans on May 23, 1841. During the journey, Northup was referred to as “Plat Hamilton” on the ship’s manifest, a name that concealed his true identity and freedom. He vividly describes the horrifying conditions faced by captives during the interstate slave trade, which surged in popularity after Congress banned trans-Atlantic trafficking in 1808.

Throughout the 1840s, New Orleans emerged as a central hub for the domestic slave trade, with estimates suggesting that around 135,000 people were bought and sold in the city during that decade. This grim fact earned it the title of the “slave market of the South.” The use of steamships and railroads during this period greatly facilitated the movement of enslaved individuals, enabling rapid transport over long distances.

Upon arrival in New Orleans, slave traders conducted sales in various locations, including auction houses, docks, slave pens, and private residences. Northup and fellow captives were temporarily held in a slave pen operated by Theophilus Freeman, a well-known slave trader notorious for his brutal practices. Captives lived in dark confines, shackled and deprived of basic necessities, with meals consisting of inadequate portions of fried cornmeal and bacon served only twice daily.

In the slave pen, Northup witnessed the emotional trauma inflicted upon families during the buying and selling process. In particular, a fellow captive named Eliza faced the devastating separation from her children when her son, Randall, was sold to a planter. The heart-wrenching scene underscored the inhuman nature of slavery, where familial bonds were systematically severed.

Captives like Northup and Eliza were subjected to rigorous grooming and forced displays to enhance their marketability, highlighting the dehumanization inherent in the trade. Additionally, Northup experienced severe health setbacks, including temporary blindness due to smallpox, yet he ultimately made a recovery. Tragically, Eliza, unable to cope with her forced labor under a new owner in Louisiana, died shortly after her separation from Randall.

Northup’s narrative reflects not only personal suffering but also contributes significantly to the broader understanding of New Orleans’ historical role in the slave trade. Although remnants of this dark past persist in the city’s infrastructure and architecture, the historical acknowledgment has not been adequately integrated into popular narratives or tourism. Currently, while a few markers exist to recognize the legacy of slavery, there remains a considerable reluctance within public consciousness to confront the reality of New Orleans’ involvement in the trade.

Efforts are underway to address this gap in historical recognition. An upcoming series by Verite News aims to educate residents and tourists about the complexities of New Orleans’ history with slavery and its long-lasting implications. Understanding this history is essential for comprehending the cultural and social fabric of contemporary New Orleans, as the legacy of slavery continues to shape life in the city.

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HERE Resources

New Orleans Confronts Its Dark History of Slavery

Additional Resources

• La Illuminator: New Orleans Slave
• Wikipedia: New Orleans
• Arkansas Advocate: The Devil’s Bargain
• Google Search: New Orleans slave trade
• The New York Times: White Women in American Slave Trade
• Google Scholar: New Orleans slave trade
• The Economist: Women’s Role in Slave Trade
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Slavery
• Voice of America: Slave Market Tour App
• Google News: New Orleans slavery