A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa, but Resident above Sixty Years in the United States of America, Related by Himself

"A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa, but resident above sixty years in the United States of America, related by himself" is a autobiographical account written in the late 18th century. The book chronicles the life of Venture Smith, an African man who was enslaved and later gained his freedom in America. It provides an intimate look into his experiences from his childhood in Guinea, through his capture and enslavement, to his eventual escape and life as a free man, highlighting the harsh realities of slavery and the resilience of the human spirit. In this narrative, Venture recounts his early life in Africa, detailing the rich yet troubled history of his family including his father's princely status and the subsequent invasion that led to his enslavement. He describes the harrowing journey across the ocean, the harsh conditions of slavery, and the trials he faced while working under various masters. Throughout his struggles, including multiple purchases and eventual aspirations for freedom, Venture demonstrates incredible tenacity and resourcefulness. He recounts clever schemes to earn money and ultimately buy his freedom and that of his family, painting a vivid picture of life, resilience, and the pursuit of dignity for himself and those he loved in the face of systemic oppression. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Venture Smith was an African-American farmer and craftsman. Smith was kidnapped when he was six and a half years old in West Africa and was taken to Anomabo on the Gold Coast to be sold into slavery. As an adult, he purchased his freedom and that of his family. He documented his life in A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa: But Resident above Sixty Years in the United States of America, Related by Himself. This autobiography is one of the earliest known examples of an autobiographical narrative in an entirely African American literary vericas, only about a dozen left behind first-hand accounts of their experiences.