On a routine run to Kroger on KY 144 or even a midday lunch break at McDonald’s, many drivers pass by a green rectangle sign reading “Josiah Henson Trail.”
However, despite being bombarded with several signs on the south sidewalk of KY 144, it can be very easy to overlook. Overlooking the sign comes with overlooking one of the most notable names in United States literature.
Henson was born on June 15, 1789, in Charles County, Maryland.
Born a farm belonging to a Mr. Francis Newman about a mile from Port Tobacco, his mother was a slave to Dr. Josiah McPherson, but was hired to Mr. Newman to whom his father belonged.
In his autobiography, Josiah Henson recounted his early days in one of his many homes on plantations. His name was completely a product of the plantation owners before him.
He was named by his mother’s slave master: McPherson passed down his name to Josiah; Henson was the name of McPherson’s uncle who was an officer in the Revolutionary War.
Like many, Henson said his early days were his better days.
After the sudden death of McPherson, Henson and his mother were sold to Amos and Isaac Riley, a pair of brothers in Maryland. After years of being in possession at the Riley house, Amos Riley left Maryland to scout out some land in Kentucky in 1814.
While Amos was in Kentucky he ended up purchasing roughly 15,000 acres of land in what was at the time Ohio County.
In 1815, Daviess County was established out of Ohio County, and Amos saw great financial growth. His brother Isaac, however, did not. In an act to not lose the slaves in his possession, Isaac in 1825 sent Henson to take 12 slaves to their new home in east Daviess County.
By foot.
Henson received mocks and judgmental conversations from both white and Black people on the journey down. It was early April 1825 when they arrived in Daviess County.
“I arrived at [Daviess] county, Kentucky about the middle of April, 1825, and delivered myself and my companions to Mr. Amos Riley, the brother of my owner who had a large plantation, with from eighty to one hundred negroes,” Henson said in his autobiography. “His house was situated about 5 miles south of the Ohio River, and fifteen miles above the Yellow Banks, on Big Blackfords Creek.”
Now in Daviess County, Henson’s high level of authority continued, even to the point when in 1828 Isaac told his brother to sell all of his slaves — but Henson and his family were excluded.
Instead, they were called to live in Maryland with Isaac. When Henson arrived in Maryland he was told by Isaac that he would be able to pay off a debt to Amos and they would be free. Thus he had to head back to Kentucky.
When he arrived back in Daviess County, Amos had changed the debt to $1,000, keeping Henson and his family as slaves until they could pay off the debt.
Eventually, he learned Amos’ plan was to sell Henson and his family. After riding a steamboat back to Daviess County to raise money to pay off the debt, he decided that was the summer he and his family would run to freedom.
In September 1830, Henson and his family paved the Josiah Henson trail to Canada. It took two weeks to reach their new home. Along the way he recounted having to ensure their family was safe through every instance.
“Before entering the town I hid my wife and children in the woods, and then walked on alone in search of my friends. They welcomed me warmly, and just after dusk my wife and children were brought in, and we found ourselves hospitably cheered and refreshed,” Henson said in his autobiography. “Two weeks of exposure to incessant fatigue, anxiety, rain, and chill, made it indescribably sweet to enjoy once more the comfort of rest and shelter.”
Thereafter, Henson became known as a preacher and wrote his autobiography documenting his experience. He later took more trips to free other slaves — and on one trip he met famous author Harriet Beecher Stowe in Cincinnati, Ohio.
According to Henson, Stowe had lived in Cincinnati for 16 years witnessing slavery just on the other side of the Ohio River. When they met, Stowe loved Henson’s autobiography and wished to interview him.
Thus the story of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was born.
The central character of the well-known abolitionist book was based on the story of Henson’s life: fleeing from Daviess County, finding refuge in another land, and everything between.
So as we head through town and drive on KY 144, be mindful to not overlook one of the defining stories of the country today.
