Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America

"Narrative of the Life of Moses Grandy, Late a Slave in the United States of America" by Moses Grandy is a firsthand account of the brutal realities of slavery, written in the mid-19th century. This autobiographical narrative provides a profound insight into the life of a man who endured the trials of slavery, sought his freedom multiple times, and ultimately emerged to tell his story. The book serves as both a biography and a historical account of the struggles faced by enslaved individuals in America, and it reflects the growing abolitionist sentiments of the time. The narrative follows Moses Grandy from his early years as a slave in North Carolina, detailing the immense hardships endured by him and his family as they were subjected to separation and violence. Grandy recounts these experiences with painful clarity, sharing stories of his mother's attempts to protect their family, his own experiences of harsh treatment from various masters, and his relentless pursuit to buy his freedom. Throughout the text, he highlights the emotional toll of being torn from loved ones and the societal injustices that uphold the institution of slavery. His journey underscores not only his personal struggle but also the broader plight of enslaved individuals seeking liberty, revealing the deep-seated moral and humanitarian issues connected to slavery in America. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Moses Grandy was an African-American author, abolitionist, and, for more than the first four decades of his life, an enslaved person. At eight years of age, he became the property of his white playmate, James Grandy, and two years later, he was hired out for work. The monies Moses earned were collected and held until James Grandy turned 21. Moses helped build the Great Dismal Swamp Canal and learned how to navigate boats. It was that skill that led him to be made commander of several boats that traveled the canal and Pasquotank River, transporting merchandise from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia. The position allowed him to be better fed, shod, and dressed. Able to keep a portion of his earnings, Moses arranged to buy his freedom twice, and twice, his enslavers kept the money and held him in slavery. An arrangement was made for an honorable man to buy him, and Grandy earned the money to buy his freedom a third time, this time successfully.