Geographical Location Information: John Quincy Adams

What was slavery Like in the place where the author was held?

    Winchester VA is in Frederick County Virginia and was first known as Opequon and then as Fredericks Town. In the place where John was held slavery was sometimes harsh. John did state that his masters did not encourage slaves to know how to read and write. He states that the masters took his labor to educate his children and laughed at him for being “ignorant and poor”. He also stated that many people suffered during slavery. That many were torn away from their families, many murdered and many little children killed all for the sake of a few dollars. He recalls seeing droves of men. Women and children all handcuffed together to be sold and recalls hearing their cries and groans and their masters hearts being so hard that they never cried for the slaves but only if they did not get the price that they asked for what they called their “property”. 

What can you find out about life in the place where he or she escaped?
    When John made the escape to Harrisburg Pa that’s when he seemed like he was the happiest. He was a free man and able to do as he pleased. He was able to work for himself and keep his wages. “How happy I feel these days when I know I am reaping my labor. I feel almost as happy as the president with a compensation of twenty-five thousand dollars a year, knowing that when my work is done the pay is mine” (John Q. Adams). John was able to work in different cities and places of his choice without having to answer to anyone but himself. Harrisburg made him feel like a man.