The Hidden History of Slavery, Four Presidents, and FIVE BLACK LIVES by Kenneth C. Davis
Did you know that many of America’s Founding Fathers — who fought for liberty and justice for all — were slave owners?
Through the powerful stories of five enslaved people “owned” by four of our greatest presidents, this book helps set the record straight about the role that slavery played in the founding of America. From Billy Lee, valet to George Washington, to Alfred Jackson, faithful servant of Andrew Jackson, these dramatic narratives explore our country’s great tragedy — that a nation “conceived in liberty” was also born in shackles.
These stories help us know the real people who were essential to the birth of this nation but who have traditionally been left out of the history books. Their stories are true — and they should be heard.
(from the jacket)
HERE ARE THE STORIES OF FIVE ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO WITNESSED THE BIRTH OF AMERICA:
- BILLY LEE, who became George Washington’s valet and fought in the American Revolution alongside him.
- ONA JUDGE, who escaped from Washington’s Philadelphia household — only to be hunted by the president’s men.
- ISAAC GRANGER, who survived the devastation of Yorktown before returning to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.
- PAUL JENNINGS, who was present at the burning of James Madison’s White House during the War of 1812.
- ALFRED JACKSON, who was born into slavery at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage plantation and lived into the twentieth century.
(from the back cover)