The Escape; Or, A Leap for Freedom (1858) by William Wells Brown (c. 1814-1884)
The Escape; Or, A Leap for Freedom (1858) by William Wells Brown (c. 1814-1884)
William Wells Brown was an abolitionist and writer. He was born into slavery in Kentucky and escaped to Ohio in 1834. He wrote a novel, Clotel, in 1853 and is considered the first published novel written by an African American. In addition to novels, he wrote plays and became the first published African American playwright.
That published play was The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom published in 1858. Despite its early publication, it was not produced until 1971 at Emerson College.
Play Text
The Escape; Or, A Leap for Freedom
BOSTON:
F. WALLCUT, 21 CORNHILL. 1858. [2] Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-eight, By WILLIAM WELLS BROWN, In the Clerk’s office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
BOSTON:
B. YERRINTON AND SON, PRINTERS.
AUTHOR’S PREFACE
This play was written for my own amusement, and not with the remotest thought that it would ever be seen by the public eye. I read it privately, however, to a circle of my friends, and through them was invited to read it before a Literary Society. Since then, the Drama has been given in various parts of the country. By the earnest solicitation of some in whose judgment I have the greatest confidence, I now present it in a printed form to the public. As I never aspired to be a dramatist, I ask no favor for it, and have little or no solicitude for its fate. If it is not readable, no word of mine can make it so; if it is, to ask favor for it would be needless.
The main features in the Drama are true. Glen and Melinda are actual characters, and still reside in Canada. Many of the incidents were drawn from my own experience of eighteen years at the South. The marriage ceremony, as performed in the second act, is still adhered to in many of the Southern States, especially in the farming districts.
The ignorance of the slave, as seen in the case of “Big Sally,” is common wherever chattel slavery exists. The difficulties created in the domestic circle by the presence of beautiful slave women, as found in Dr. Gaines’s family, is well understood by all who have ever visited the valley of the Mississippi.
The play, no doubt, abounds in defects, but as I was born in slavery, and never had a day’s schooling in my life, I owe the public no apology for errors.
W. B.
CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.
Dr. Gaines, proprietor of the farm at Muddy Creek.
Rev. John Pinchen, a clergyman.
Mr. Wildmarsh, neighbor to Dr. Gaines.
Major Moore, a friend of Dr. Gaines.
Mr. White, a citizen of Massachusetts.
Bill Jennings, a slave speculator.
Jacob Scragg, overseer to Dr. Gaines.
Mrs. Gaines, wife of Dr. Gaines.
Mr. and Mrs. Neal, and Daughter, Quakers, in Ohio.
Thomas, Mr. Neal’s hired man.
Glen, slave of Mr. Hamilton, brother-in-law of Dr. Gaines.
Cato, Sam, Sampey, Melinda, Dolly, Susan, and Big Sally, slaves of Dr. Gaines.
Pete, Ned, and Bill, slaves.
Officers, Loungers, Barkeeper, &c.
The Escape; Or