Bluett, Thomas | One of the earliest printed narratives of an enslaved person

Bluett, Thomas

Some Memoirs of the Life of Job, the Son of Solomon, the High Priest of Boonda in Africa who was a slave about two years in Maryland and afterwards being brought to England was set free and sent to his native land in the year 1734. London: Printed for Richard Ford, 1734

8vo (180 x 114 mm). Woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials; early repair to last page of dedication (A3), slightly touching text but not affecting legibility, withal a fine bright copy. Early twentieth-century half red crushed morocco over marbled boards; extremities lightly rubbed.

One of the earliest printed slave narratives and an important account of the Atlantic slave trade in the American colonies. It relates the misfortunes of a prominent West African Muslim who was sold to an English slaving ship by a rival tribe in February 1730. His name was Job Ben Solomon, also known as Ayuba Suleiman Diallo and was born in present-day Senegal. Job was part of a family of Muslim religious leaders who founded the town of Bundu. Part II covers Job’s capture and removal to Maryland, where he was first assigned to the tobacco fields, and then to tend cattle. Job attempted to escape in early summer of 1731, but was captured in Kent County on Delaware Bay. After learning Job could speak Arabic, he was allowed to write a letter to his father; James Oglethorpe saw the letter and arranged for Job’s deliverance to England. Job set sail for England in March 1733 and returned to Africa the following year. Rare.

REFERENCE

ESTC T103023; Howes B553; Sabin 6011