The Life and Sufferings of Leonard Black, a Fugitive from Slavery

A stark, first‑person portrait of life under the “peculiar institution,” this narrative offers an unflinching look at the daily cruelties endured by a boy born into bondage in Maryland. Though the author’s limited schooling required a careful friend to polish the manuscript, the raw voice and vivid details remain intact, giving listeners a direct line to the suffering and resilience of an enslaved child.

The account follows his early years, marked by the sudden loss of his mother and sister, relentless beatings from a cruel mistress, and the harsh discipline of a master who prized labor over humanity. Amid the scarcity of food and the constant threat of being sold, he clings to a deep religious faith that sustains him and fuels a yearning for education. By sharing his story, he hopes to raise enough funds to pursue learning and become a more effective preacher, while also bearing witness to the horrors that only those who have lived them can truly describe.