"Twenty-Two Years a Slave, and Forty Years a Freeman" is a slave narrative, detailing Austin Steward's early life of enslavement and escape, as well as his years of freedom and work at Wilber force Colony.
Austin Steward (1793 – 1869) was an African-American abolitionist and author. He was born a slave and escaped from Virginia at about age 21, settling in Rochester, New York, and then Canada.
Contents:
Slave Life on the Plantation
At the Great House
Horse-racing and Its Consequences
Journey to Our New Home in New York
Incidents at Sodus Bay
Removal From Sodus to Bath
Dueling
Horse-racing and General Training
Death Bed and Bridal Scenes
Hired Out to a New Master
Thoughts on Freedom
Capt. Helm — Divorce — Kidnapping
Locate in the Village of Rochester
Incidents in Rochester and Vicinity
Sad Reverses of Capt. Helm
British Emancipation of Slavery
Oration — Termination of Slavery
Condition of Free Colored People
Persecution of the Colored People
Removal to Canada
Roughing It in the Wilds of Canada
Narrow Escape of a Smuggler
Narrative of Two Fugitives From Virginia
Pleasant Re-union of Old and Tried Friends
Private Losses and Private Difficulties
Incidents and Peculiarities of the Indians
Our Difficulties With Israel Lewis
Desperation of a Fugitive Slave
A Narrow Escape From My Enemies
Death of B. Paul, and Return of His Brother
My Family Return to Rochester
The Land Agent and the Squatter
Character and Death of I. Lewis
My Return to Rochester
Bishop Brown — Death of My Daughter
Celebration of the First of August
Correspondence Letter From A. Steward to Wm. L. Garrison