Details
Title [Sampson, a West Indian slave] [graphic].
Publisher [London: s.n]
Publisher ENGLAND. London. 1834
Date [1834]
Physical Description 1 print: engraving; image 8 x 7 cm. (3.25 x 3 in)
Description According to St. Clair, the engraving features the slave Sampson, who was referred to as such on the basis of his enormous strength. Sampson was owned by a Dutchman whose plantation was near the Essequibo River in Guyana. After Sampson's second escape and capture, his master sentenced him to a severe flogging, and then took steps to deter future escape attempts. As St. Clair explained, Sampson "had an iron collar fastened round his throat, which had three legs sticking out from it, having, as represented in the sketch, hooks at their ends, which render it impossible for any human being to escape through the thick underwood in this country. In addition to this, his left leg was chained to an enormous heavy log of wood, which, when he walked, was thrown over his left shoulder. In this state, he was obliged daily to perform as much work as any other Negro on the estate."
Is part of St. Clair, Thomas Staunton. Residence in the West Indies and America. London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, publisher in ordinary to His Majesty, 1834.
Notes Illustration in Thomas St. Clair's A Residence in the West Indies and America (London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, publisher in ordinary to His Majesty, 1834), vol. 2, p. 214.
Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Punishment Scenes.
Subject Slavery -- West Indies -- Pictorial works -- 19th century.
Slaves -- Guyana -- Portraits.
Fugitive slaves -- Guyana -- Punishment & torture.
Punishment devices.
Physical restraints.
Genre Engravings -- 1830-1840.
Book illustrations -- 1830-1840.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Books & Other Texts | Rare | Am 1834 St. Cla 8958.O v 2 p 214
Accession number 8958.O