"I was born in Africa, about the year 1789; the country of the Iboes
was my home. My father's name was Durl, and mine, Ancass. My mother was
my father's only wife, and she was the daughter of a great chieftain.
Of four children I was the only son, and therefore my father's pet. He
always liked to have me near him, and even when he went out to work
he would take me along with him. In the midst of our ignorance we
had a vague idea of the existence of a Supreme Being, which we know
that every heathen can see from the works of creation. We called him
'Thunderer,' and appealed to him for aid in case of illness.
"A young man began to pay us frequent visits, under pretence of wishing
to marry one of my sisters, but in reality, doubtless, with a view to
getting possession of me, a growing, healthy boy, about twelve years
old. One day my father had gone out, leaving me with my sisters, and
the young man made use of the opportunity to persuade me to accompany
him to a market in the vicinity, which he described to me in glowing
colors. We walked all that day, and never reached the place; the night
was spent with an acquaintance of my guide, and our journey continued
all the next day. I was struck by the circumstance that persons who
met us often asked the man what he was going to do with the boy he had
with him, whether he was intending to sell him, etc. He invariably gave
an assurance of the contrary, but I was soon to learn what his scheme
really was.
"The end of the journey was reached at last, and proved to be a trading
place on the coast. I lay down under a large tree, and gazed on the
scene with delight.
"Suddenly a stranger appeared, and proposed that I should try a sail
in his boat. I was frightened and refused: but found myself seized by
the man's strong hand, and rapidly dragged away. Then I knew that I was
being taken as a slave. The man who had brought me from home and sold
me to the traders, looked on unmoved as I was hurried to the water's
edge, and I could only implore him to take a last message to my dear
father, letting him know what had become of me.
"There were several negroes already in the boat, bound with ropes,
and others were added. When the boat put off for the ship I was so
exhausted with crying, that the gentle rocking motion lulled me into
a sound sleep, from which I awoke to find that we were being lifted
into the vessel. The white color of the captain's face filled me with
no less astonishment than his black, shining feet without toes, as I
regarded his polished boots, which I now saw for the first time. The
next morning I was horrified to see great numbers of people brought up
from the hold on deck, to be fed with yams and rum. As for myself, I
was heartily glad to be spared this confinement. I was at liberty to
remain on deck with some other boys, slept in the captain's cabin, and
was soon very happy.
"On reaching Kingston, in Jamaica, the slaves went ashore, and I looked
with intense longing at the beautiful land, visible from the ship. I
was kept on board for several weeks, and the captain told me I was
destined to be his servant, and should not be allowed to go ashore. On
my declaring, however, that I was resolved, at all hazards, to leave
the vessel, and would leap overboard if he should try to prevent me,
he changed his mind, and I was sent to a white man, who took me, with
eleven others, into the yard adjoining his house. We were purchased
for the owner of the estate Krepp, and thither we were taken without
further delay. My companions were sent to work in the fields; I was
retained as servant in the overseer's family, and called Toby. After
the lapse of a year my master took me as servant into his own house,
making me the companion and play-fellow of his children, and treating
me with great kindness.
"About eight years afterwards my master left the island for England,
and I was sent with the children to the seaport-town, Savana-la-Mar,
where we were to attend the church and school. This was anything but
agreeable to us, and I persisted in neglecting every opportunity of
learning, which I might have enjoyed. As to the church, I invariably
played outside during the services, and my master's children were
generally with me. In three years' time the master returned, and took
us all back to the estate, where he soon died. The eldest son became
owner of the property, and he immediately appointed me his overseer at
Krepp, and subsequently at Dumbasken, when the former estate was sold.
"In the year 1824 the owner of a neighboring estate (Paynstown)
returned to Jamaica from a visit in England. This gentleman and his
lady were true Christians. One evening, when passing his plantation on
my way home, I met a female servant of the family, Christina by name,
who was going to draw water from a neighboring spring. I entered into
conversation with her, and she told me that on Sunday there would be
prayer and singing at Paynstown, and that her master invited his people
to attend. I asked if strangers were admitted, and was told that Mrs.
Cook had frequently expressed her regret that no one from the vicinity
would come to join them at prayers, and that strangers would be
welcomed, not only on Sundays, but also in the morning and evening of
the week-days.
"This conversation made a deep impression upon me, and the thought
of the prayer-meeting at Paynstown was continually recurring day and
night, until I at length resolved to go there on the following Sunday.
"Sunday came, and I started on my way to Paynstown. On reaching the
house, a negro servant addressed me in a friendly voice; at the same
moment Mrs. Cook appeared at the door, and I heard her say to the
attendant, on his mentioning my name, 'Let him enter; I am glad that he
comes!' Feeling very shy, I waited outside the hall till a bell gave
the summons for prayers. Mr. Cook conducted the service, which was
commenced with singing a hymn: then a portion of the Scriptures was
read and prayer offered. I have no recollection of what was read, nor
could I understand the prayer, as I knew nothing of our Saviour; yet
I shall never forget this hour; it was a turning-point for the whole
of my life. I had a feeling that I was in the presence of Almighty
God, _my_ Lord and God, and my inmost soul was deeply moved, while I
trembled from head to foot. Unable to utter a word, I hurried away and
remained alone in my hut.
"Some time afterwards Mrs. Cooper offered to teach me to read if I
wished to learn, and I gladly accepted her offer, though exposing
myself to no little ridicule on the part of my fellow-slaves, who
thought it very foolish of me to attempt to learn to read 'the white
men's book.' How thankful have I felt ever since that I was enabled
to read the Bible for myself, and thus come into the enjoyment of a
wonderful privilege!
"Saturday and Sunday were free days for the slaves; Sunday was
market-day in the neighboring town, and we negroes were in the habit
of cultivating our own plots of ground on our return from the service
at Paynstown, or carrying their produce to the market. One Sunday I
was so eagerly bent on making the most out of my garden, that I did
not go to Paynstown, but was busy at work from earliest dawn. Suddenly
the conviction seized my mind that I was not acting right in the sight
of God, in thus digging and planting in hope of gain. Quite overcome
with the thought, I threw away my hoe, and kneeling in the hole which
I had just dug, I cried aloud to our Saviour, imploring Him to help me
in my darkness, and show me what I ought to do. The comforting light
was vouchsafed to me at once. While recognizing my sinful conduct in
striving for outward gain to the detriment of my soul, I was assured
that all my need would be supplied from the bountiful hand of my
heavenly Father, and that the right course for me was to seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness. From that day I never touched a
hoe on Sunday, and I have been so blessed in regard to externals that I
have never suffered any want.
"Some time afterwards I made a proposal of marriage to a young woman,
whom I had known as one of the most regular attendants at the services
in Mr. Cooper's house, and she accepted it. My master and mistress
were at first greatly opposed to this step, but were led eventually to
withdraw their prohibition, and we were married on the 8th of June,
1826.
"A few months afterwards I became a member of the Moravian Church, one
of twelve, who at that time constituted the whole congregation. Many
others, however, joined the church at Carmel, and the number of those
who desired to cast in their lot with us as children of God, increased
most surprisingly from week to week.
"The office of native helper, to which I was soon afterwards appointed,
gave me many opportunities of telling others what the Lord had done for
me, and directing them to the same Saviour.
"I had a great desire to purchase my freedom. I went to my master,
who tried to persuade me to wait, seeing that I should be legally
emancipated in three years' time. My longing for freedom was, however,
so strong that I remained unmoved. I paid down all my savings, and was
soon afterwards able to complete the required sum, and my certificate
of freedom was signed. O how full my heart was! how overflowing with
thanks and praise to God! This day has always been to me a day of
special rejoicing and thanksgiving. It was the 1st of June, 1837.
"Subsequently I was asked by several gentlemen to undertake the
management of their estates, but I declined, not wishing to fetter
myself in such a manner as would be prejudicial to my work in the
Lord's cause. I was greatly rejoiced when Brother Zorn proposed to me
to devote my time entirely to the duties of a native helper, receiving
£12 a year to provide subsistence for myself and family. I purchased
a small cottage and piece of ground, and here I have lived ever since
with my dear wife and the only daughter whom the Lord has been pleased
to give us."