# Josiah Henson — Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life character guide > Josiah Henson in Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life by Josiah Henson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Father Henson, Henson, Rev. Josiah Henson, the said Josiah Henson **First appearance:** 0001-father-henson-s-story-of-his-own-life ## Who they are Born enslaved in Maryland, he turns remembered brutality into a lifelong testimony, becoming a preacher and Underground Railroad conductor in Canada. ## Relationships ### [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/david) _friendship_ David is a fellow enslaved person and companion to Josiah Henson, sharing hardships and mutual support. ### [Amos Riley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/amos_riley) _professional_ Amos Riley is Josiah Henson's slaveholder, exploiting his labor and enforcing brutal discipline. ### [Lord John Russell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/lord_john_russell) _friendship_ Josiah Henson and Lord John Russell are allies in the abolitionist cause, with Russell supporting Henson's work. ### [Little Tom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/little_tom) _friendship_ Josiah Henson and Little Tom share a bond as fellow enslaved individuals, with Henson possibly acting as a mentor or protector. ### [Samuel Gurney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/samuel_gurney) _friendship_ Josiah Henson and Samuel Gurney are allies in the abolitionist movement, with Gurney supporting Henson's efforts. ### [Mr. Francis Newman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/mr_francis_newman) _social_ Josiah Henson and Mr. Francis Newman are acquaintances within the abolitionist network, with Newman likely sympathetic to Henson's cause. ## In the story ### [Father Henson's Story of His Own Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/father-henson-s-story-of-his-own-life) Narrator and central figure, recounting his childhood and the traumatic events that shaped his life. ### [I: My Birth and Childhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/i-my-birth-and-childhood) Narrator and subject of the chapter; born June 15, 1789, in Charles County, Maryland. ### [My First Great Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/ii-my-first-great-trial) Narrates his early childhood, including being named by Dr. McPherson, witnessing the auction, being sold to Robb, falling ill, and finally being reunited with his mother. ### [My Boyhood and Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/iii-my-boyhood-and-youth) Narrates his boyhood and youth, describing his early work, physical prowess, and rise to overseer. ### [My Conversion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/iv-my-conversion) Experiences a transformative religious conversion after hearing his first sermon; begins praying and preaching to other slaves. ### [V: Maimed for Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/v-maimed-for-life) Narrates the chapter; is ambushed and severely beaten by Bryce Litton, resulting in permanent maiming; continues as superintendent. ### [A Responsible Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/vi-a-responsible-journey) Narrator and leader of the journey; marries, takes on the responsibility of transporting slaves to Kentucky, struggles with the temptation to escape to freedom. ### [VII: A New Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/vii-a-new-home) Narrator and protagonist; becomes a Methodist preacher, experiences deep guilt and resolve, and begins his quest for freedom. ### [Return to Maryland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/viii-return-to-maryland) Returns to Maryland, experiences betrayal and despair, and struggles to secure his freedom. ### [IX: Taken South, Away from Wife and Children](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/ix-taken-south-away-from-wife-and-children) Narrator and protagonist; forced onto a flatboat to New Orleans, he learns navigation and takes over after the captain goes blind; visits old companions in Vicksburg. ### [X: A Terrible Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/x-a-terrible-temptation) Struggles with despair and homicidal rage; nearly murders Master Amos but is stopped by his Christian conscience. ### [XI: Providential Deliverance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xi-providential-deliverance) Narrator and protagonist; pleads not to be sold, nurses Master Amos back to health, and resolves to escape slavery. ### [Escape from Bondage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xii-escape-from-bondage) Protagonist who plans and leads the escape, carrying his two youngest children in a knapsack. ### [Journey to Canada](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xiii-journey-to-canada) Narrator and leader of the escape, carrying his children and guiding his family through the wilderness. ### [XIV: New Scenes and a New Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xiv-new-scenes-and-a-new-home) Arrives in Canada as a stranger, finds work with Mr. Hibbard, cleans a pigsty for his family's home, acquires property, resumes preaching, and learns to read from his son Tom. ### [Life in Canada](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xv-life-in-canada) Narrator and central figure; works for Mr. Riseley, organizes meetings to encourage land ownership, explores Canada for settlement sites, and appeals to the legislature. ### [Conducting Slaves to Canada](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xvi-conducting-slaves-to-canada) Narrator and leader of the escape mission; travels alone to Kentucky and guides a party of thirty slaves to Canada. ### [Second Journey on the Underground Railroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xvii-second-journey-on-the-underground-railroad) Narrator and leader of the second Underground Railroad journey; orchestrates the escape of the Lightfoot family and reflects on his broader mission. ### [Home at Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xviii-home-at-dawn) Narrator and leader; lectures on economics, calls convention, advocates for manual-labor school, purchases land at Dawn. ### [Lumbering Operations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xix-lumbering-operations) Initiates and oversees the construction of a sawmill in Canada, travels to Boston to secure funding, and manages the lumber enterprise. ### [XX: Visit to England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xx-visit-to-england) Visits England to raise funds for the Manual Labor School, faces accusations of imposture, and is vindicated by a committee of English gentlemen. ### [The World's Fair in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xxi-the-world-s-fair-in-london) Exhibits black walnut boards at the World's Fair, asserts his Canadian citizenship, and receives a medal and visit from Queen Victoria. ### [Visits to the Ragged Schools](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xxii-visits-to-the-ragged-schools) Narrator and speaker at Ragged Schools and public meetings; recounts his experiences and interactions with English dignitaries. ### [Closing Up My London Agency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xxiii-closing-up-my-london-agency) Narrator and protagonist; closes his London agency, publishes his narrative, and rushes home to his dying wife. ### [Closing Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/xxiv-closing-chapter) Narrator reflecting on the progress and prospects of fugitive slaves in Canada. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Subject of the illustrations listed in this chapter. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters/josiah_henson - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/father_henson_s_story_of_his_own_life_se/characters