1855: Solomon Northup

Many prominent abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass, the Grimke sisters, Josiah Henson, Solomon Northup, and others came through Fitchburg to advocate for the end of slavery. Solomon Northup in particular was a well-documented case. Northup was a free Black landowner from New York that was offered a traveling musician job in the District of Columbia. While in D.C. Northup was drugged and sold into slavery in Louisiana, where he was held in captivity for 12 years until freed by New York Governor, Washington Hunt. Upon his release, Northup lectured and performed on the abolitionist movement and subsequently, may have shared his story in 1855 at the Fitchburg City Hall