Freedom Seekers: Stories of Black Liberation in the Am. Rev.
@freedomseekers.bsky.social
A growing resource of short stories of enslaved people who attempted to seize their freedom by escaping.
Based at UW-Madison, partnered with scholars and institutions all over.
Discover more at www.freedom-seekers.org
Based at UW-Madison, partnered with scholars and institutions all over.
Discover more at www.freedom-seekers.org
What connected people in early America? We can only imagine what ties existed between Pero, Jack, and Isaac — freedom seekers who fled slavery in Rhode Island in November, 1765. What ultimately drew them together was a shared ambition to be free. Read their story: freedom-seekers.org/story/pero-j...
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
What connected people in early America? We can only imagine what ties existed between Pero, Jack, and Isaac — freedom seekers who fled slavery in Rhode Island in November, 1765. What ultimately drew them together was a shared ambition to be free. Read their story: freedom-seekers.org/story/pero-j...
How might we today visualize the appearance of people who fled enslavement? We asked a modern artist, Adrienne Mayor, to imagine and sketch Jack, who took flight from slavery in Virginia in 1730.
Read Billy Smith’s telling of Jack’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack/
Read Billy Smith’s telling of Jack’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack/
November 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
How might we today visualize the appearance of people who fled enslavement? We asked a modern artist, Adrienne Mayor, to imagine and sketch Jack, who took flight from slavery in Virginia in 1730.
Read Billy Smith’s telling of Jack’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack/
Read Billy Smith’s telling of Jack’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/jack/
In November 1767, an enslaved man “addicted to be funny in his Talking” and “particular in shaving true his Forehead” escaped slavery in Rhode Island. His story offers a powerful alternative vision of liberty during the era of the American Rev.
Read this story: freedom-seekers.org/story/name-u...
Read this story: freedom-seekers.org/story/name-u...
November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In November 1767, an enslaved man “addicted to be funny in his Talking” and “particular in shaving true his Forehead” escaped slavery in Rhode Island. His story offers a powerful alternative vision of liberty during the era of the American Rev.
Read this story: freedom-seekers.org/story/name-u...
Read this story: freedom-seekers.org/story/name-u...
250 years ago today Virginia governor Lord Dunmore declared martial law and promised freedom to the enslaved who would join his ranks.
For enslavers like Mark Bird this was a nightmare. But for Cuff Dix this was an opportunity for freedom.
Read Cuff’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/cuff-d...
For enslavers like Mark Bird this was a nightmare. But for Cuff Dix this was an opportunity for freedom.
Read Cuff’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/cuff-d...
November 7, 2025 at 3:01 PM
250 years ago today Virginia governor Lord Dunmore declared martial law and promised freedom to the enslaved who would join his ranks.
For enslavers like Mark Bird this was a nightmare. But for Cuff Dix this was an opportunity for freedom.
Read Cuff’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/cuff-d...
For enslavers like Mark Bird this was a nightmare. But for Cuff Dix this was an opportunity for freedom.
Read Cuff’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/cuff-d...
In February 1766, Hercules escaped slavery in Charleston, South Carolina, fleeing by sea, across the Atlantic, to London.
Read Simon Newman’s telling of Hercules’ incredible story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/hercul...
Read Simon Newman’s telling of Hercules’ incredible story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/hercul...
November 3, 2025 at 9:29 PM
In February 1766, Hercules escaped slavery in Charleston, South Carolina, fleeing by sea, across the Atlantic, to London.
Read Simon Newman’s telling of Hercules’ incredible story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/hercul...
Read Simon Newman’s telling of Hercules’ incredible story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/hercul...
In the fall of 1773 an Indigenous man named Buck escaped enslavement, running away from Warwick, Rhode Island.
Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s telling of Buck’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/buck-o...
Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s telling of Buck’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/buck-o...
October 28, 2025 at 2:54 PM
In the fall of 1773 an Indigenous man named Buck escaped enslavement, running away from Warwick, Rhode Island.
Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s telling of Buck’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/buck-o...
Read @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s telling of Buck’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/buck-o...
Norton Minors fled slavery in St. Croix and traveled nearly 1,800 miles to his birthplace in northern Massachusetts.
This unbelievable story was recovered by John Balz and was final 2024 Anansi Prize winner.
Read Norton’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/norton...
This unbelievable story was recovered by John Balz and was final 2024 Anansi Prize winner.
Read Norton’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/norton...
October 20, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Norton Minors fled slavery in St. Croix and traveled nearly 1,800 miles to his birthplace in northern Massachusetts.
This unbelievable story was recovered by John Balz and was final 2024 Anansi Prize winner.
Read Norton’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/norton...
This unbelievable story was recovered by John Balz and was final 2024 Anansi Prize winner.
Read Norton’s story: freedom-seekers.org/story/norton...
Congratulations to our own Gloria Whiting on winning the AHA Prize in American History!
October 15, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Congratulations to our own Gloria Whiting on winning the AHA Prize in American History!
James Williams was an enslaved man from Virginia who escaped while docked in London to join Britain’s 4th Dragoons regiment as a drummer.
Morgan Byerley’s bold telling of James’ story was another 2024 Anansi Prize winner. Read the full story: freedom-seekers.org/story/james-...
Morgan Byerley’s bold telling of James’ story was another 2024 Anansi Prize winner. Read the full story: freedom-seekers.org/story/james-...
October 13, 2025 at 3:20 PM
James Williams was an enslaved man from Virginia who escaped while docked in London to join Britain’s 4th Dragoons regiment as a drummer.
Morgan Byerley’s bold telling of James’ story was another 2024 Anansi Prize winner. Read the full story: freedom-seekers.org/story/james-...
Morgan Byerley’s bold telling of James’ story was another 2024 Anansi Prize winner. Read the full story: freedom-seekers.org/story/james-...
After dressing for the evening in her heeled shoes and red jacket, Sall slipped out of the house of her enslaver.
Sall’s incredible story, as told by Olivia Barnard, won one of our 2024 Anansi Prizes.
Read Sall’s story and learn more about the Anansi Prize: freedom-seekers.org/story/sall-m...
Sall’s incredible story, as told by Olivia Barnard, won one of our 2024 Anansi Prizes.
Read Sall’s story and learn more about the Anansi Prize: freedom-seekers.org/story/sall-m...
October 6, 2025 at 3:54 PM
After dressing for the evening in her heeled shoes and red jacket, Sall slipped out of the house of her enslaver.
Sall’s incredible story, as told by Olivia Barnard, won one of our 2024 Anansi Prizes.
Read Sall’s story and learn more about the Anansi Prize: freedom-seekers.org/story/sall-m...
Sall’s incredible story, as told by Olivia Barnard, won one of our 2024 Anansi Prizes.
Read Sall’s story and learn more about the Anansi Prize: freedom-seekers.org/story/sall-m...
It was an exceptionally hot summer day when an enslaved man named Dick fled Albany, New York, in August of 1796. Read @acmosterman.bsky.social’s incredible recovery of Dick’s life here: freedom-seekers.org/story/dick/
September 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
It was an exceptionally hot summer day when an enslaved man named Dick fled Albany, New York, in August of 1796. Read @acmosterman.bsky.social’s incredible recovery of Dick’s life here: freedom-seekers.org/story/dick/
Introducing a new way to explore our freedom seeker stories! Check out our brand new interactive map: freedom-seekers.org/map/
September 26, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Introducing a new way to explore our freedom seeker stories! Check out our brand new interactive map: freedom-seekers.org/map/
Even more than most freedom seekers, Caesar showed incredible determination to liberate himself. Although missing both of his legs, he nevertheless escaped his enslaver via the Chestnut River. Read Billy G. Smith’s telling of Caesar’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/caesar/
September 23, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Even more than most freedom seekers, Caesar showed incredible determination to liberate himself. Although missing both of his legs, he nevertheless escaped his enslaver via the Chestnut River. Read Billy G. Smith’s telling of Caesar’s story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/caesar/
His enslavers called him Ishmael. He escaped bondage in December 1760 after spending more than a quarter-century enslaved to one of New London’s most prominent families. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/ishmae...
September 18, 2025 at 4:04 PM
His enslavers called him Ishmael. He escaped bondage in December 1760 after spending more than a quarter-century enslaved to one of New London’s most prominent families. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/ishmae...
Check out @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s latest, the story of Bob, a 14 year-old Indigenous boy from North America who was determined to escape enslavement in 18th century Glasgow. Link: freedom-seekers.org/story/bob-se...
September 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Check out @simonatmadison.bsky.social’s latest, the story of Bob, a 14 year-old Indigenous boy from North America who was determined to escape enslavement in 18th century Glasgow. Link: freedom-seekers.org/story/bob-se...
A skilled craftsman who seized his independence by fleeing the American patriots and embracing the British during the American Revolution, Pompey Fleet managed ultimately to make his way to Africa. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/pompey/
September 8, 2025 at 1:46 PM
A skilled craftsman who seized his independence by fleeing the American patriots and embracing the British during the American Revolution, Pompey Fleet managed ultimately to make his way to Africa. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/pompey/
Charles Thompson escaped Stagville Plantation in North Carolina in 1784. For the last several years he had groomed his enslaver’s race horses. He also had “great notions of freedom.” Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/charle...
September 3, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Charles Thompson escaped Stagville Plantation in North Carolina in 1784. For the last several years he had groomed his enslaver’s race horses. He also had “great notions of freedom.” Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/charle...
On this day 249 years ago (8/27/1776) the Continental Army lost the Port of New York, surrendering the city to British control. Occupied Manhattan became a place where enslaved women like Bina could seize freedom. Read her story at freedom-seekers.org/story/bina-j...
August 27, 2025 at 8:00 PM
On this day 249 years ago (8/27/1776) the Continental Army lost the Port of New York, surrendering the city to British control. Occupied Manhattan became a place where enslaved women like Bina could seize freedom. Read her story at freedom-seekers.org/story/bina-j...
On August 12, 1776, a fourteen-year-old boy named George Samba escaped his enslavers home in the heart of London’s East End. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/george...
August 25, 2025 at 8:17 PM
On August 12, 1776, a fourteen-year-old boy named George Samba escaped his enslavers home in the heart of London’s East End. Read his story here: freedom-seekers.org/story/george...
The new version of the SlaveVoyages website looks fantastic! It’s also an excellent resource for anyone researching freedom seekers. See: Slavevoyges.org
August 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
The new version of the SlaveVoyages website looks fantastic! It’s also an excellent resource for anyone researching freedom seekers. See: Slavevoyges.org
As Timothy escaped his enslavement he needed to find his way off Block Island, a small patch of land in Rhode Island Sound. Indigenous inhabitants knew the island as Manisses. Read the story of his escape here: freedom-seekers.org/story/timoth...
August 18, 2025 at 5:57 PM
As Timothy escaped his enslavement he needed to find his way off Block Island, a small patch of land in Rhode Island Sound. Indigenous inhabitants knew the island as Manisses. Read the story of his escape here: freedom-seekers.org/story/timoth...
“Peculiar indeed is the politics of naming” as Tony Bly reminds us in this story about a 17 year-old freedom seeker named Five. Read more here: freedom-seekers.org/story/five/
August 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
“Peculiar indeed is the politics of naming” as Tony Bly reminds us in this story about a 17 year-old freedom seeker named Five. Read more here: freedom-seekers.org/story/five/
More good news from one of our project team leaders. Gloria Whiting’s book, "Belonging” is the 2025 John Winthrop Prize winner for the best book on the 17th-century from the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. Learn more about the book here: www.pennpress.org/978151282449...
August 5, 2025 at 4:08 PM
More good news from one of our project team leaders. Gloria Whiting’s book, "Belonging” is the 2025 John Winthrop Prize winner for the best book on the 17th-century from the Colonial Society of Massachusetts. Learn more about the book here: www.pennpress.org/978151282449...
In August 1783, an enslaver named James Young posted an ad seeking the return of Daniel Anderson. But as @coryjamesyoung.bsky.social reveals, Anderson had already eluded capture for five years and had not intention of returning. Read his story: freedom-seekers.org/story/daniel...
August 1, 2025 at 4:40 PM
In August 1783, an enslaver named James Young posted an ad seeking the return of Daniel Anderson. But as @coryjamesyoung.bsky.social reveals, Anderson had already eluded capture for five years and had not intention of returning. Read his story: freedom-seekers.org/story/daniel...
Black and Native peoples lived side by side in slavery on Long Island, New York. And on occasion they also sought freedom together. Read the story of Toney and Jack written by Freedom Seeker intern and Beinecke scholar Amanda Grant, here:
freedom-seekers.org/story/toney-...
freedom-seekers.org/story/toney-...
July 30, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Black and Native peoples lived side by side in slavery on Long Island, New York. And on occasion they also sought freedom together. Read the story of Toney and Jack written by Freedom Seeker intern and Beinecke scholar Amanda Grant, here:
freedom-seekers.org/story/toney-...
freedom-seekers.org/story/toney-...