Description
Book SynopsisOn the night of November 7, 1841, the Creole, a brig transporting at least 135 slaves from Richmond, Virginia, to the auction block at New Orleans, was about 130 miles northeast of the Bahamas. In the darkness, a band of 19 slaves led by Madison Washington seized the crew and its captain. Over the next several days they forced the Creole to sail into Nassau harbor, where the British authorities offered freedom to the slaves on board, touching off a diplomatic squabble and continuing legal ramifications. In The Creole Mutiny, George and Willene Hendrick have pieced together, from scant information and remote sources, the story of this successful slave revolt and of the mysterious figure of Madison Washington, a fugitive slave who had been recaptured while trying to free his wife. With careful attention to background details, the authors describe what is known of Washington's life; the efforts of fugitive slaves to free other family members; the methods of slave traders and the operators of slave pens; the conditions on slave ships; and the sexual exploitation of female slaves, some mere children. In an Appendix, the authors show how Madison Washington has taken on mythic qualities in the works of major African-American writers, from Frederick Douglass to Theodore Ward. With 24 black-and-white illustrations. "Fascinating...compelling history."—Vernon Ford, Booklist
Trade ReviewThe most accurate story to date...meticulous research and attention to the historical landscape. -- Andrea Lynn * Indianapolis Recorder *
Fascinating...compelling history. -- Vernon Ford * Booklist *
In their concise narrative and analysis...George and Willene Hendrick disentangle myth from meaning and contextualize the revolt. -- John David Smith, author of Lincoln and the U.S. Colored Troops and We Ask Only for Even-Handed Justice
...The book is an amazing feat of research. * New York Resident *
...A compelling, fascinating retelling... * Sir Read Alot Book Review *
…A valuable tool for some original resarch in pointing the reader to the excellent sources in its bibliography and notes. * Kliatt *
...A lively read that will hopefully encourage futher consideration of the late antebellum slave trade among serious students of history. * Louisiana History *
...This handsome and well-written volume…spin[s] a tale of unrequited love and a quest for freedom... * Journal of Southern History *
