William J. Anderson - Early Life

Early Life

Anderson was born June 2, 1811 to Susan and Lewis Anderson. William’s mother was a free woman, but his father was a slave, belonging to a Mr. Shelton. Later in William’s life he wrote a narrative about himself which was published by the Chicago Daily Tribune and entitled:

Life and Narrative of William J. Anderson, Twenty-four Years a Slave; Sold Eight Times! In Jail Sixty Times!! Whipped Three Hundred Times!!! or The Dark Deeds of American Slavery Revealed. Containing Scriptural Views of the Origin of the Black and of the White Man. Also, a Simple and Easy Plan to Abolish Slavery in the United States. Together with an Account of the Services of Colored Men in the Revolutionary War--Day and Date, and Interesting Facts.

After the death of his father, his mother Susan sold William to Mr. Vance who lived about ten miles away from Susan. William’s life with Mr. Vance was not a good one. William was very interested in learning how to read and write and would often secretly steal or borrow books from white boys to practice these skills. Whenever his master would discover what William had been up to, he would whip him and kick him. Nevertheless, William was still devoted to learning.