The Blind African Slave: Memoirs of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace (Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography)

The __Blind African Slave__ recounts the life of Jeffrey Brace (né Boyrereau Brinch), who was born in West Africa around 1742. Captured by slave traders at the age of sixteen, Brace was transported to Barbados, where he experienced the shock and trauma of slave-breaking and was sold to a New England ship captain. After fighting as an enslaved sailor for two years in the Seven Years War, Brace was taken to New Haven, Connecticut, and sold into slavery. After several years in New England, Brace enlisted in the Continental Army in hopes of winning his manumission. After five years of military service, he was honorably discharged and was freed from slavery. As a free man, he chose in 1784 to move to Vermont, the first state to make slavery illegal. There, he met and married an African woman, bought a farm, and raised a family. Although literate, he was blind when he decided to publish his life story, which he narrated to a white antislavery lawyer, Benjamin Prentiss, who published it in 1810. Upon his death in 1827, Brace was a well-respected abolitionist. In this first new edition since 1810, Kari J. Winter provides a historical introduction, annotations, and original documents that verify and supplement our knowledge of Brace's life and times. Born In West Africa Around 1742, Jeffrey Brace Was Captured By Slave Traders At Sixteen And Shipped To Barbados, Where He Was Sold. After Fighting As An Enslaved Sailor In The Seven Years War, Brace Was Taken To Connecticut And Sold Again. Brace Later Enlisted In The Continental Army In Hopes Of Winning His Manumission. After Military Service, He Was Honorably Discharged And Was Freed From Slavery. In 1784, He Moved To Vermont, The First State To Make Slavery Illegal. There He Married, Bought A Farm, And Raised A Family. Although Literate, He Was Blind When He Narrated His Life Story To An Antislavery Lawyer, Benjamin Prentiss. Brace Died In 1827, A Well-respected Abolitionist. In This First New Edition Since 1810, Kari J. Winter Supplements Our Knowledge Of Brace's Life And Times With Original Documents And New Material--publisher. The Blind African Slave: Or, Memoirs Of Boyrereau Brinch, Nicknamed Jeffrey Brace -- Deeds Of Manumission Drawn By William Welch -- Legal Documents Related To Jeffrey Brace's Military Pension Application, 1818-1821 -- Documents Related To Jeffrey Brace's Land Transactions And Estate -- A Brace Chronology. Edited And With An Introduction By Kari J. Winter. Narrative Originally Transcribed, With Commentary, By Benjamin F. Prentiss. Originally Published: St. Alban's, Vt. : Printed By Harry Whitney, 1810. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-237) And Index.