Northup was enslaved for the next twelve years. Northup was transported on the Brig Orleans with approximately forty other slaves to New Orleans where he was later sold to Edwin Epps, who owned a cotton plantation in the Louisiana Red River area. Just like that, Solomon Northup the free man of color ceased to exist. When the ship docked in New Orleans on May 24, 1841, the inspector matched Solomon Northup’s description to the name Plat Hamilton. When slaves were forced into the hull of the Brig Orleans on April 27, 1841, the Port of Richmond collector Thomas Nelson approved the slave manifest.

Slave Manifest for the Brig Orleans, including Solomon Northup, listed as Plat Hamilton (#33). They were meant to ensure that slave traders transporting slaves by ship among U.S. The manifests were checked and signed by customs officials at the port of debarkation and again at the port of destination. Slave manifests that documented each slave’s name, sex, age, and color were then required. A MaAct of Congress-effective in 1808-outlawed foreign importation of slaves. Constitution that Congress would not be able to ban the importation of slaves before 1808. In 1787 the nation’s founding fathers had written into the U.S. Next, have students analyze the most interesting and compelling document, the slave manifest for the Brig Orleans, which proves Northup was sold into slavery. You can also find it on DocsTeach, our online tool for teaching with documents.

Census page from Saratoga Springs, including Solomon Northup, a free man of color, and his family (line 12). Part of Northup’s amazing story can be authenticated by documents found in the National Archives.įirst, have students check the 1840 federal census to find Northup living in upstate New York as a free person of color. Northup, a free man of color, was kidnapped and sold into slavery.

The new movie, Twelve Years a Slave, released nationwide last Friday, November 1st, is based on Solomon Northup’s 1853 autobiography. Today’s post comes from Kris McIntosh, volunteer at the National Archives at Fort Worth, and retired Fort Worth I.S.D.

Northup 12 years a slave