- Oct 2024
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www.americanyawp.com www.americanyawp.com
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Boston King recalls fighting for the British and securing his freedom, 1798
The document was written to tell the story of the life of Boston King, British Soldier who was enslaved by Americans and escaped multiple times
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But the wages were so low that I was not able to keep myself in clothes, so that I was under the necessity of leaving my master and going to another.
King could no longer handle the horrible conditions his master had him under so he felt that he needed to escape to a new master, which he also left after a short time and eventually got married and started a family.
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my mind was sorely distressed at the thought of being again reduced to slavery, and separated from my wife and family; and at the same time it was exceeding difficult to escape from my bondage… … As I was at prayer on Sunday evening, I thought the Lord heard me
King was a religious man, as many were back then. He used his religion for hope that things would become better from these bad times, in which they did.
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Next morning, Colonel Small gave me three shillings, and many fine promises, which were all that I ever received for this service from him
Boston King was promised "great rewards" and received very little for his long walk to pass on the letter. He was promised things but in the end he didn't get his deserved reward.
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Many Black colonists sought freedom by joining with the British, with estimates as high as 5,000. King later became a missionary and one of the first Black Canadian settlers of Sierra Leone in West Africa.
American's were enslaving blacks, so they felt their only way of escape from slavery was joining the British. And with joining the British and not being slaves, it opened them up to better opportunities and not being stuck in an enslaved, poor quality life.
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Boston King recalls fighting for the British and securing his freedom, 1798
Boston King was part of the British Military and was enslaved by the Americans but escaped back to the British, This is his memoir which was written while he was still alive.
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He served as a Loyalist in the British Army, and participated in several important battles.
A "loyalist" is someone who loyally fought against the British, against the Americans. Boston King was a good soldier for the British.
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