JAYFORCE

Here’s a little story I’d like to tell…

‘On October 16, 1859, John Brown led 21 men on an assault at Harpers Ferry — an event that shook the nation and [nudged it even closer toward civil war]. Among these raiders were five black men: two of these men would die at Harpers Ferry, two would be captured and executed, and one would escape to Canada.

Dangerfield Newby [pictured above], a strong, 6’2″ African American, was the first of Brown’s men to die in the fighting. Born a slave in 1815 but later freed by his white, Scottish father, Newby married a slave who was still in bondage in Virginia.’

A letter found on his dead body revealed Newby’s motive for joining Brown’s brigade: It was from his beloved wife, a desperate plea for her husband to buy her freedom as soon as possible.

Seem like a familiar story?

DJANGO UNCHAINED (MOVIE TRAILER)

Sadly, Newby’s widow was sold after the raid and moved farther south.