Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life · Character

Little Tom

A young enslaved boy who becomes a friend to Josiah in childhood.

minor

Also known as Tom, Thomas Binney, Rev. Messrs. Thomas Binney

First appearance: i my birth and childhood

Little Tom's tie to Amos Riley is one of the pressures that moves Father Henson’s Story of His Own Life—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Josiah and Charlotte's oldest son, who is at the house with Master Amos before the escape.

In the storyEscape from BondageOpen this moment free

Little Tom first appears in 0002 i my birth and childhood.

With Amos Riley (professional): Amos Riley is the master of Little Tom, a slave child, and their interactions reflect the power imbalance of slavery. With Lord John Russell (social): Little Tom and Lord John Russell are likely connected through the anti-slavery movement, possibly as a symbolic or reported relationship. With Samuel Gurney (social): Little Tom and Samuel Gurney are connected through the abolitionist network, possibly as a beneficiary and supporter.

See Little Tom in Escape from Bondage Book page

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Character Web

7 connections

A slice of how Little Tom sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Friendship

Character groups

Key Figures in Josiah's Life
Protagonist

+2 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it captures the emotional and psychological peak of the protago…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Amos Riley
professional · negative
Amos Riley is the master of Little Tom, a slave child, and their interactions reflect the… How this plays out →
Lord John Russell
social · positive
Samuel Gurney
social · positive
James Lightfoot
social · positive
Josiah Henson
friendship · positive
David
friendship · positive

Amos Riley
Amos Riley is the master of Little Tom, a slave child, and their interactions reflect the power imbalance of slavery.
Lord John Russell
Little Tom and Lord John Russell are likely connected through the anti-slavery movement, possibly as a symbolic or reported relationship.
Samuel Gurney
Little Tom and Samuel Gurney are connected through the abolitionist network, possibly as a beneficiary and supporter.
James Lightfoot
James Lightfoot and Little Tom are likely part of the same abolitionist network, with Lightfoot advocating for Tom's freedom.
Josiah Henson
Josiah Henson and Little Tom share a bond as fellow enslaved individuals, with Henson possibly acting as a mentor or protector.
David
David and Little Tom are fellow enslaved individuals who likely share camaraderie and mutual support in their suffering.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Little Tom in i my birth and childhood

In the story

Little Tom appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Escape from Bondage
Josiah and Charlotte's oldest son, who is at the house with Master Amos before the escape.
Journey to Canada
Josiah's son, who calls out when his mother collapses.
XIV: New Scenes and a New Home
Josiah's eldest son, who learns to read at school, reads Psalm 103 to his father, and teaches Josiah to read by firelight.
Second Journey on the Underground Railroad
A sick boy left behind with a Quaker family; later recovered and reunited with his family in Canada.
Home at Dawn
Not mentioned in this chapter.
XX: Visit to England
Mentioned as Rev. Thomas Binney, one of the clergymen who received Henson and served on the committee.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Little Tom unlock in the free preview.

See Little Tom in i my birth and childhood

See Little Tom in Escape from Bondage