Josiah Henson was a black man born into slavery in Maryland, USA on June 15, 1789. He is a popular figure in Niagara history and the history of the Underground Railroad to Freedom. His journey to Niagara was long and arduous and included unimaginable experiences that he circumvented and conquered.
In his narrated autobiography which was recorded by Arthur D. Phelps in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts in 1849, Josiah tells the story of his life. It is intriguing and ashamedly perplexing at the same time.
Intriguing because it is the story of a life that overcame myriad trials and tribulations while always working for the betterment of his family and society. Perplexing because his trials and tribulations were sufferance’s that came simply due to the colour of his skin.
Josiah Henson tells of a time when he was beaten so severely by his master’s brother’s overseer that he could not work for five months. Both his shoulder blades were broken as well as his arm. All this for accidentally pushing the man in order to save his drunken master from a bar brawl.
“…he seized a stake, six or seven feet long, from the fence, and struck me with his whole strength. In attempting to ward off the blow, my right arm was broken, and I was brought to the ground; where repeated blows broke both my shoulder blades and made the blood gush from my mouth copiously.”
Josiah did get an opportunity to escape his master and all that it meant to live as a slave when his master entrusted him on an errand trip to Kentucky. But Josiah a man of integrity and honour chose to remain a slave, hoping one day to be legally freed by showing his loyalty and proving himself an exceptional plantation manager.
“What advantages I may have lost, by thus throwing away an opportunity of obtaining freedom, I know not; but the perception of my own strength of character, the feeling of integrity, the sentiment of high honor, I have experienced, – these advantages I do know, and prize; and would not lose them, nor the recollection of having attained them, for all that I can imagine to have resulted from an earlier release from bondage.”
Josiah did receive his manumission papers, his freedom certificate, lawfully on March 9, 1829, however his master pretending to safeguard this paper coerced Josiah into giving it to him for safekeeping, “you do not understand the dangers to which you are exposed. You may meet with some ruffian slave-purchaser who will rob you of that piece of paper, and destroy it. You will then be thrown into jail and sold for your jail fees.” His master warned Josiah.
Keeping Josiah’s freedom certificate meant his master still had ownership of Josiah and so planned to sell him while retaining Josiah’s wife and children, who would probably be sold at a later date. Josiah Henson’s master had selfishly stolen Josiah’s freedom from him and laid plans to sell Josiah, even though Josiah Henson was legally a free man.
It wasn’t long before Josiah’s master arranged for his own son, Amos and three others to travel to New Orleans to sell their goods. Josiah knew that his work was to sell the goods, he also knew that once his work was done, he would be the last thing to be sold.
“I well knew what was intended, and my heart sunk within me at the near prospect of this fatal blight to all my long-cherished hopes…The expectation of my fate, however, produced the degree of misery nearest to that of despair; and it is in vain for me to attempt to describe the wretchedness I experienced as I made ready to go on board the flat boat.”
Josiah continues to tell of his plan to kill all four men on board so he could escape, “These were not thoughts that just flitted across my mind’s eye, and then disappeared. They fashioned themselves into shapes which grew larger, and seemed firmer, every time they presented themselves; and at length my mind was made up to convert the phantom shadow into a positive reality. I resolved to kill my four companions, take what money there was in the boat, then to scuttle the craft, and escape to the north.”
The mental and physical limits to which slaves were pushed is beyond anything we can possibly imagine. Grappling with the decision to murder his owner’s son and the helpers that had come on the trip, Josiah tells of his wretched plan and the voice in his ear that prevented him from committing murder.
“My feelings were still agitated, but they were changed. I was filled with shame and remorse for the design I had entertained…I reflected that if my life were reduced to a brief term, I should have less to suffer, and that it was better to die with a Christian’s hope, and a quiet conscience, than to live with the incessant recollection of a crime that would destroy the value of life, and under the weight of a secret that would crush out the satisfaction that might be expected from freedom and every other blessing.”
It was by sheer luck or the design of a higher power that Amos was very ill when he arose the next morning. Josiah Henson cared for his master’s son and brought him safely back to the plantation with no appreciation received for all that he had done to save Amos’s life. It took more than a month for Amos to recover, but that experience proved to Josiah that he would be of no more value than the dollars he could fetch as a marketed slave, even though he had given his life and loyalty with undisputed honesty.
So, Josiah planned his escape. It took some time to convince his wife. He would not leave without her or his children. It was a very long and challenging journey, through the wilderness, many parts on foot and covering many miles. However, Josiah persevered with some help along the way and eventually made his way to Sandusky, Ohio which lies on the US side of Lake Erie.
Josiah was fortunate to meet a captain of a boat that gave him a bit of paid work for the day, while his family hid in the woods. Understanding Josiah’s plight the captain offered to take Josiah and his family to Buffalo where they could take a ferry across the Niagara River and into Canada to freedom.
Suspense mounted when Josiah came back with the captain’s men to retrieve his family and couldn’t find them. They had hidden deeper into the woods and it was at the very last minute that Josiah found them and they were on the boat bound for Buffalo, NY.
The next day Josiah and his family were at Black Rock, Buffalo. “…and the friendly captain whose name I have gratefully remembered as Captain Burnham put us on board the ferry boat to Waterloo, paid the passage money, and gave me a dollar at parting.”
It was the morning of October 28, 1830 that Josiah Henson landed on the Canadian shores of Niagara at Fort Erie.
Josiah’s statement of “Waterloo” is not to be confused with the town of Waterloo, Ontario. Note that Waterloo was indeed the name of the village on the Canadian side of the Niagara River directly across from Black Rock. It was part of the now Niagara Region whose borders had not yet been defined.

The area that Josiah landed is now a park, Freedom Park in Fort Erie, 134 Niagara Blvd., and a plaque denotes the spot of Josiah’s joyous landing. “My first impulse was to throw myself on the ground…A gentleman of the neighbourhood, Colonel Warren, who happened to be present, thought I was in a fit, and as he inquired what was the matter with the poor fellow, I jumped up and told him, I was free!”

Josiah settled for a while in Niagara with his family until he earned enough to search for and purchase his own land in 1942 in the town of Dawn, Ontario, building a settlement there.
Josiah always promised that he would, “use his freedom well.” With wisdom he would lecture and minister at local churches and with courage returned many times to the US to free others of his race. He continued to use the Underground Railroad (not an actual railroad, but a route or passage) as did many escaping slaves in various areas of Niagara throughout the mid 1800s.
So, Josiah Henson is a fixture in Niagara history. His courage and tenacity still serve as a reminder to all about the value of human integrity, sacrifice and perseverance. Josiah Henson’s story also serves as a motivating reminder to find and live our own dreams, and a salient reminder that the kindness of strangers can make those dreams possible.
Excerpts in quotation marks are from the book, The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of Canada, as Narrated by Himself. This and other books about Josiah Henson are available wherever books are sold. It is a must read and I encourage you to pick up a copy.
I am intrigued by the fact that Josiah Henson may have come through Bertie Hall in Fort Erie, a safe house for escaping slaves. Read my post on Bertie Hall here, a historic home with a sometimes heroic and sometimes sinister history. Heroic because Bertie Hall was part of the Underground Railroad for escaping slaves. Sinister because there are local tales of its hauntings.

If you do visit, Freedom Park it is at 134 Niagara Blvd. in Fort Erie on the end of Bertie Street. While Bertie Hall is at about 657 Niagara Blvd. on the corner of Phipps Street.

Notice Black Rock, on the US side, circled on the map.
I lived in fort Erie from 1995 to 2018 and hope too move back. I enjoyed reading your article. The big home that’s shown in red was 2 streets from my old home.My father was the owner of Best Value Optical on Klauck st between just off Jarvis St. I the historical downtown of Fort Erie. I think you made a mistake because where the s, Aves went was called the Doll House. It was You can request tours and it’s a Big home with dolls in it and in the basement is a secret room that’s been protected and preserved in its ordinal state. It is It looks like your stepping into 1800s. Anyways that is at the end of Emerick St not Bertie St. I use too get chills walking past that old red home….
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Thanks for sharing that Paul. Are you saying I made a mistake on the street name? Because I was there and took that picture. That house is named Bertie Hall and sits on the corner of Phipps and Niagara Blvd. Yes it housed a doll museum for many years and has a secret room in the basement. If we’re talking about the same house then I’m sure it gave you chills. Would love to know more from you since you lived so close. How interesting. I think I’ll drive by again real soon and check out Emerick St. Thanks so much for taking the time to share what you have.
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It is at the end of Phipps street actually lol I should have looked it up instead of going by memory. I would walk my dog past there all the time and it would go Jarvis street then Dufferin st, Phipps st and after that Emerick… It was located on the corner of Phipps and Niagara boulevard. When you said Bertie hall I got confused. Anyways notice that picture the old black and white one?? It shows the house much closer too the shore. I’m not 100% sure but I think they added land too make the Niagara boulevard. Because when you drive by it there’s land on the left still that will lead too a small hill too the water. Fort Erie is really interesting because the Old Fort burnt down by the Irish American Fenians in an attack in the 1880s. The Fort used too be surrounded by water you see the moats surrunding the fort today. But it’s drained… before this it wasn’t and had wooden spikes that would of been able too impair any enemy soldier. Niagara is rich in history with the Battle of Chippowa, the battle of Ridgeway. One day I want too go back and check it all out again. I recall when I was younger in the news paper was a ghost of a captain that was caught on camera. It was very creepy. Also I lived in an old manor home which was most definitely haunted. I discovered a bust of General Brock! I was digging in the garden as a child and found it. It was General Brocks head made of something I don’t remember much I gave this too my brother Steve who sold it. I was so young maybe 8 I wouldn’t have gave it knowing he would just sell the thing… I believe the family who originally lived in this home buried the bust of General Brock because Fort Erie too Toronto was occupied by the Americans back then for a short time. The family must have known that the Americans would smash this replica statue head of then their hero and very famous General Brock… This home I lived in as a child and we all seen some sort of haunting me my brother JR my dad Raymond mother Denise and sister Angele all had some sort of ghostly incounter with these two young children boy and a girl they were friendly. I wish I was older living there but I was too young too make sense of what I seen/ a child is very innocent can see things and if told people would just believe “a child’s imagination that could not have happened” anyways the house is located on Bertie st and the corner of High st. It’s a BIG White home with lots a big yard it is located beside the fire department on Bertie st. Maybe one day we can meet up and go take a look at these things together. I know so much about the history and would be more than happy to tell you stories and things I was taught. Here’s. A link too what I found in the garden as a boy and so cool I found it just wish I kept it instead of giving it as a birthday present too my brother but again I was too young too know the significance of this. Another errie thing was there was two stones in the yard which we all believed where grave stones for the two children. I think their removed now but they were over 150 years old and the shape of a half oval. https://collections.rom.on.ca/objects/151769/portrait-bust-of-general-sir-isaac-brock;jsessionid=347CB9A2F38830BF75EFFEE2037D094A
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Thanks for all the information you provided Paul. It’s great to learn so much from someone who lived so close to Bertie Hall. I do wonder if the road was widened, or perhaps the waters have receeded over time, but the house, at the time, may have been built closer to the shore. Makes sense. It’s fascinating how things change over time. And yes, sorry you gave away your treasure. It is definitely a part of history, out there somewhere. Thank you again for taking the time to share your memories and stories of the area.
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What a nobel and courageous man!
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I thought the same. Thanks for reading Danell!
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WOW! What a story and what a life!? Simply amazing that people could withstand such hardship although I guess, in many cases, they had little choice. Thanks so much for sharing this story, Mel
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Thanks very much for reading Mel. Can’t even imagine the hardships. Appreciate your visit here!
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What an amazing story of courage and perseverance. Thank you for sharing it and honouring his life.
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Thanks very much for reading and appreciating Josiah’s story Barbara.
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Thanks for sharing! I read his autobiography after I heard it was the basis for “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
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I did the opposite. Thanks for visiting!
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Poignant historical narrative. I have read THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Colson Whitehead and can related with the story.
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Thank you Indra! The Underground Railroad offers a great historical perspective. Thanks for reading!
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