Henson, Josiah

Josiah Henson was enslaved when he was brought to the Riley Plantation in Owensboro, KY. He was born near Charles County, Maryland. Henson escaped to Canada and returned many times to lead his family and others to freedom. He also spoke at abolition meetings and was a preacher and leader among Africans in Canada. Henson is believed to have been portrayed as the Uncle Tom character in Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. For more see The Life of Josiah Henson, by J. Henson and American Biographies, by W. Preston.