Amos Fortune, Free Manby Elizabeth Yates

“Africa 1725”

African Village

Captives on the Way to the Coast

Shackles and Whips

African Coast

“The Middle Passage”

Horrific Conditions Onboard

Crowding

Slave Auction in America

“Boston 1725-1740”Quakers

Home Schooling

The Weaving Trade

“Woburn 1740-1779”The Tannery Trade

The Tannery TradeBark for Tannin and a Spud

“Journey to Keene 1779”

Keene

Jaffrey

Southern New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire

“The Arrival at Jaffrey”View of Mt. Monadnock

Jaffrey Meeting House and Carriage BarnReverend Laban Ainsworth, Minister

“Hard Work Fills the Iron Kettle 1781-1789”

“Amos on the Mountain”Mt. Monadnock

Building a Home

Violet Planted Lilac, Tea Rose, Japonica, and Lily of the Valley at the New Home

“Auctioned for Freedom”

Jaffrey Meeting HouseWhere Vendue

Was Heldand Amos Helped Polly

Amos’ Signature

Death of Polly Burdoo

“Evergreen Years 1794-1801”Indenture Paper, As for Amos’ Apprentices

Violet Weaves Fine Linen

Linen Weaving and Spinning

Excerpt from the History of the Town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire

Fortune Family.

Amos Fortune, b. free in Africa; a slave in America; purchased his liberty; settled in Jaffrey, on lot 18, range 6; now (1873) in possession of Levi Pollard. He was an early settler, came to town about 1778; was a tanner by trade. He was a highly-respected citizen, member of the church, and made it a present of a silver communion service. He m. Violate, whose liberty he previously purchased. He had no children. The following inscription may be seen on their headstones in the old parish burying-ground:

Silver Communion Set, As Donated to the

Jaffrey Meetinghouse by Amos Fortune

Little Red SchoolhouseThe fund Amos Fortune donated to the school in Jaffrey, New Hampshire is

still in use today.

Sacred to the memory of Amos Fortune, who was born free in Africa, a slave in America, he purchased liberty, professed

Christianity, lived reputably, and died hopefully, Nov. 17, 1801, AEt. 91

Sacred to the memory of Violate, by sale the slave of Amos Fortune, by marriage his wife, by her fidelity, his friend and

solace, she died his widow Sept. 13, 1802, AEt. 73

(These moving epitaphs were written by the Reverend Laban Ainsworth.)

Amos’ and Violet’s Gravestones

Amos Fortune RoadJaffrey, New Hampshire