The Miller Library at Washington College has recently acquired a first edition of “The Life of Isaac Mason as a Slave.” The autobiography details the life of a young man who escaped from enslavement in Chestertown, Maryland just up the road from the archives where the book now resides. Mason’s biography details that 1846 escape, how he found freedom across the Pennsylvania border, and his rise to become a distinguished American leader. His narrative offers a powerful firsthand account of the realities of enslavement and the struggle for freedom and provides invaluable insights into the experiences of African Americans in the 19th century.
The book’s acquisition, made possible through the collaboration of the Miller Library, the Washington College Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience, and a generous gift from the Women’s League of Washington College, brings a crucial piece of local and national history to the heart of the Chesapeake Bay region.
“This is a treasure of Eastern Shore history, of Chestertown history, and in fact, of American history,” said Adam Goodheart, Hodson Trust-Griswold Director of Washington College’s Starr Center. “Mason’s story has been researched by Washington College students, faculty and staff at the Starr Center for more than 20 years, and this first edition brings his experiences to life in a tangible way.”
The acquisition is particularly significant as the Starr Center works to include Mason’s story in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Registry through the National Park Service, further solidifying the Chesapeake region’s role in the fight for freedom. The book will reside in the Miller Library’s special collections, making it accessible for researchers, students, and the community.
The story of Isaac Mason has also inspired local artistic endeavors, including the musical “ISAAC: A Musical Journey,” commissioned by the Kent Cultural Alliance for the Washington College Chesapeake Heartland Project and created by Kent County native Marlon Saunders. This underscores the enduring impact of Mason’s life on the region.
Learn more about Isaac Mason through Enslaved.org and explore the Starr Center’s webpage for further information on their efforts to preserve and share American history.
Stephan Klingelhofer says
Will the Mason book be republished and available for reading??
James Dissette says
I think Kent Cultural Alliance or Starr Center have a printed version. It’s also online here: https://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/mason/mason.html
Jennifer Nesbitt says
After conservation, this first edition will be catalogued as a part of our Rare Book Collection, which does not circulate, but can be viewed in the library, and as James said, it’s available online. For questions about our copy, contact our College Archivist, Lindsay Sheldon, featured in the video above.