My Bondage and My Freedom, Chapter 19 summary
Chapter 19 of 34 · 36 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 19, Frederick vows to seek freedom, gathers companions, and prepares an escape by canoe, but their arrest stops the attempt before departure. After imprisonment, destroyed passes, and shared denials, his companions gain release while he remains alone until Master Thomas sends him to Baltimore with a conditional promise of freedom.
What happens
- At the start of 1836, Frederick rejects contentment under a kind master and vows to attempt escape.
- He recruits five companions, discusses dangers, and proposes paddling up Chesapeake Bay before traveling north on foot.
- Frederick writes passes for the Easter holidays, but Sandy withdraws and constables arrest the others before departure.
- Henry Harris resists arrest, giving Frederick time to burn his pass; the companions destroy other passes and deny their plan.
- The five endure public abuse and imprisonment in Easton, where slave traders inspect and threaten them.
- The others gain release; after further confinement, Frederick leaves prison and Master Thomas sends him to Baltimore to learn a trade.
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What allows Frederick to burn his pass without being noticed?
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“My Bondage and My Freedom, Chapter 19 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026, libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-bondage-and-my-freedom-chapter-19-summary.
Library of Alexandria. (2026). My Bondage and My Freedom, Chapter 19 summary. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-bondage-and-my-freedom-chapter-19-summary
“My Bondage and My Freedom, Chapter 19 summary.” Library of Alexandria, 2026. https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-bondage-and-my-freedom-chapter-19-summary.
@misc{my_bondage_and_my_freedom_chapter_19_summary_2026,
title = {My Bondage and My Freedom, Chapter 19 summary},
publisher = {Library of Alexandria},
year = {2026},
url = {https://libraryofalexandria.com/pages/my-bondage-and-my-freedom-chapter-19-summary}
}
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