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A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw
Excerpt from A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an African Prince, as Related by Himself
Ihad, from my infancy, a curious turn of mind. Was more grave and reserved in my disposition than either of my brothers and sisters. I often teased them with ques tions they could not answer; for Which reason they dis liked me, as they supposed that I was either foolish, or insane. 'twas certain that Iwas, at times, very nu happy in myself: it being strongly impressed on my mind, that there was some great man of power, which resided above the sun, moon and stars, the objects of our worship. My dear indulgent mother would bear more with me than any of my friends beside - I often raised my hands to heaven, and asked her who lived there? Was much dissatisfied when she told me the sun, moon, and stars. Being persuaded, in my own mind, that there must be some superior powan.-i was fre quently lost in wonder at the works of the creation: was afraid, uneasy, and restless, but could not tell for what. I wanted to be informed of things that no per son could tell me and was always dissatisfied. These wonderful impressions begun in my childhood, and followed me continually till I left my parents, which affords me matter of admiration and thankfulness.
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Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Ihad, from my infancy, a curious turn of mind. Was more grave and reserved in my disposition than either of my brothers and sisters. I often teased them with ques tions they could not answer; for Which reason they dis liked me, as they supposed that I was either foolish, or insane. 'twas certain that Iwas, at times, very nu happy in myself: it being strongly impressed on my mind, that there was some great man of power, which resided above the sun, moon and stars, the objects of our worship. My dear indulgent mother would bear more with me than any of my friends beside - I often raised my hands to heaven, and asked her who lived there? Was much dissatisfied when she told me the sun, moon, and stars. Being persuaded, in my own mind, that there must be some superior powan.-i was fre quently lost in wonder at the works of the creation: was afraid, uneasy, and restless, but could not tell for what. I wanted to be informed of things that no per son could tell me and was always dissatisfied. These wonderful impressions begun in my childhood, and followed me continually till I left my parents, which affords me matter of admiration and thankfulness.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1772
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79 people want to read
About the author
James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw
19 booksUkawsaw Gronniosaw, also known as James Albert, (ca. 1705 - 1775) was a freed slave and autobiographer. His autobiography, A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, is considered the first published by an African in Britain.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 31, 2022
Mostly what I notice in this narrative is how little it differs from the religious conversion narratives and pleas for financial support that were printed on behalf of white working-class men in similar situations. Gronniosaw is much more widely read than those because the text promises insight into the lives of black Britons (I realised halfway through I'd actually read this before, in an anthology) but it feels almost impossible to draw any real conclusions about him or his life, given how strongly the text is shaped by the goal of raising money from white religious readers.
August 25, 2019
This was my fourth reading of Slave Narratives, after Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs and Sojourner Truth. Presumingly this is the first example of slave autobiography and one of the very few ones where we the narrator is actually born in Africa and then taken to the New World. Ukawsaw is the grandson of a King so he goes to visit a different African kingdom where he is charged with espionage and is then sold as a slave as sort of punishment. The book is the account of his journey in Africa, then to the British America (yes, that’s before the American Revolution) and then to England, the Netherlands and back again in England.
This is the period where slavery was way different than the its peak, as we read in Douglass or Jacobs’ account and the author is liberated from slavery half way into his story (Freedom granted to him by his master, which is still ridiculous) and we do not see the savagery driven upon him as is driven upon the ohter slaves I have read about so far.
What is peculiar is Ukawsaw’s ironclad belief in divine Providence and how God is always supposed to help him in every difficulty of his. His narration of his unemployment period in England is also impressive (I think I am never gonna forget the carrot story...)
It’s 2019 now, 400 years since the first group of slaves were brought on the coast of the New World... it’s really important to read and know this one of the most cruel institutions established by White Man altered the course of history.
This is the period where slavery was way different than the its peak, as we read in Douglass or Jacobs’ account and the author is liberated from slavery half way into his story (Freedom granted to him by his master, which is still ridiculous) and we do not see the savagery driven upon him as is driven upon the ohter slaves I have read about so far.
What is peculiar is Ukawsaw’s ironclad belief in divine Providence and how God is always supposed to help him in every difficulty of his. His narration of his unemployment period in England is also impressive (I think I am never gonna forget the carrot story...)
It’s 2019 now, 400 years since the first group of slaves were brought on the coast of the New World... it’s really important to read and know this one of the most cruel institutions established by White Man altered the course of history.
March 25, 2024
Very interesting that historical facts make us aware that if Gronniosaw was a prince from that area of Nigeria, he would have most probably been a literate muslim, so mono-theistic, contradicting the narrative, and literate, contradicting the narrative. So, was the narrative constructed to best please his benefactors and to earns as much money as possible for him and his family? (he died in 1775, so I do hope his family benefited to some extent) or, as it was actually written by a lady, probably Hannah Moore, supposedly after hearing his story - Gronniosaw was a slave in New Amsterdam, so spoke, and probably only read, Dutch - I wonder how much did she contribute to the writing? We shall probably never know.
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February 3, 2022It feels a little strange to rate this, given that it is essentially a religious testimony produced by and for Calvinist evangelicals. Not only is this text hugely significant in British/Black-British literary history, but it is utterly fascinating for a multitude of reasons. I've read this a few times, and I always find the end extremely sad. After detailing years of miserable trials living in poverty in various English towns - including when not a single church would agree to bury his dead child, and when one eventually did, the reverend refused to read a funeral service - we end the narrative learning that Gronniosaw and his wife still live in dire poverty, concluding with a gentle plea for any assistance from the religious community this book would be distributed to.
February 25, 2021
Indeed a remarkable story, and interesting from so many aspects. Short, easily readable, and a significant contribution to our understanding of this particular aspect of history.
What I found most remarkable is the difference between the three locations - Africa, North America, and England. In the first he felt alienated, in the second mostly treated well as an enslaved person, but in England repeatedly fell into extremely hard time, and each time suffering at the hands of his fellow men/women, and the injustice of the socio/economic system. His disappointment at the behaviour of what he expected to be good Christian people is quite heartbreaking.
What I found most remarkable is the difference between the three locations - Africa, North America, and England. In the first he felt alienated, in the second mostly treated well as an enslaved person, but in England repeatedly fell into extremely hard time, and each time suffering at the hands of his fellow men/women, and the injustice of the socio/economic system. His disappointment at the behaviour of what he expected to be good Christian people is quite heartbreaking.
June 15, 2020
I read this with absolutely no knowledge that it was the first text published by a black person in Britain. It was mentioned in ‘Black & British’ by David Olusoga, so — noticing it was incredibly short — I decided to give it a read, as an aside.
It’s incredibly unspecific about the details of what it was like to be a slave. Mostly it recounts his indoctrination to Christianity — which to me reads as psychological abuse, despite the fact that he completely succumbs to it in the end.
You can understand why he’s not specific about the cruelties of slavery. His story probably wouldn’t have been published at the time if he were unrelentingly honest. In any case, it’s always interesting to read the stories of free black men from the age of slavery, even if they’re restrained. You get a picture of what it was like to be poor and black in 18th century England. To give you an idea: in the last sentence, he informs us that he and his family can’t wait to die.
It’s incredibly unspecific about the details of what it was like to be a slave. Mostly it recounts his indoctrination to Christianity — which to me reads as psychological abuse, despite the fact that he completely succumbs to it in the end.
You can understand why he’s not specific about the cruelties of slavery. His story probably wouldn’t have been published at the time if he were unrelentingly honest. In any case, it’s always interesting to read the stories of free black men from the age of slavery, even if they’re restrained. You get a picture of what it was like to be poor and black in 18th century England. To give you an idea: in the last sentence, he informs us that he and his family can’t wait to die.
November 30, 2012
An uplifting tale, set in the era of the slave-trade and European colonisation, of one man's spiritual journey from "black Africa", through the "middle passage", to his Christian conversion and life in England. Even though he has been sold to master after master, travelled here, there and everywhere, and having suffered a family tragedy, Gronniosaw's ability to keep strong to his faith is truly inspirational. It's an extremely short and snappy text but well worth a read.
January 7, 2013
This is a great autobiography and Christian testimony. The beginning of the narrative is similar to Pilgrim's Progress.
March 9, 2023
This was an interesting narrative that detailed Gronniosaw's journey from Nigeria to the Gold Coast and then eventually to the Americas and Britain. In New York, Gronniosaw was a slave for a man named Mr. Freelandhouse but was eventually freed when Mr. Freelandhouse died. While a slave, Gronniosaw became a Christian and we can see his devoutness in the narrative. When in Britain, Gronniosaw's life oscillates between fortune and extreme misery. He marries a lady but they lived in extreme poverty and one of their children dies. The book ends with him old, but still living in poverty with his wife.
I liked the narrative but I felt like he sanitized slavery in many aspects. He barely even described his journey in the Middle Passage. Yes, Gronniosaw had a master that wasn't as brutal as the others, but I felt like he could have said more about the injustices of slavery. Regardless, I can understand that he avoided talking about the injustices of slavery because this narrative was more so a plea for financial assistance from the British community. Moreover, Gronniosaw's faith came from slavery which could have made him less likely to see slavery as a bad thing.
I discovered this narrative while reading, "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi listed Gronniosaw as an example of a black racist because of his contentment with slavery, love of his masters, and Gronniosaw's statement that, "a black man call'd the Devil" lived in hell. I can understand Kendi's view on this matter since Gronniosaw could have influenced the views of the British public on slavery by describing it for what it was. But instead, Gronniosaw used his narrative as a religious testimonial that accepted slavery. However, I still think it's important to consider Gronniosaw's situation at the time, especially the fact that he was in extreme poverty and also a product of his various white, Christian environments.
Was definitely a good read.
I liked the narrative but I felt like he sanitized slavery in many aspects. He barely even described his journey in the Middle Passage. Yes, Gronniosaw had a master that wasn't as brutal as the others, but I felt like he could have said more about the injustices of slavery. Regardless, I can understand that he avoided talking about the injustices of slavery because this narrative was more so a plea for financial assistance from the British community. Moreover, Gronniosaw's faith came from slavery which could have made him less likely to see slavery as a bad thing.
I discovered this narrative while reading, "How to Be an Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi. Kendi listed Gronniosaw as an example of a black racist because of his contentment with slavery, love of his masters, and Gronniosaw's statement that, "a black man call'd the Devil" lived in hell. I can understand Kendi's view on this matter since Gronniosaw could have influenced the views of the British public on slavery by describing it for what it was. But instead, Gronniosaw used his narrative as a religious testimonial that accepted slavery. However, I still think it's important to consider Gronniosaw's situation at the time, especially the fact that he was in extreme poverty and also a product of his various white, Christian environments.
Was definitely a good read.
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March 4, 2023Historical context (as described in class)
Gronniosaw was still alive when this was published. It was huge in England. It became a wake up call about the cycle of extreme poverty and that English were as bad a the rest the world (he was swindled, lied to, treated horribly).
This created the standard template for slave narratives: early life in freedom-> cruel master -> “prince” (extent of their fall from status) -> travel -> hypocritical Christian characters
Review:
Unbelievably sad how Gronniosaw oscillated so many times between fortune and despair.
Gronniosaw was still alive when this was published. It was huge in England. It became a wake up call about the cycle of extreme poverty and that English were as bad a the rest the world (he was swindled, lied to, treated horribly).
This created the standard template for slave narratives: early life in freedom-> cruel master -> “prince” (extent of their fall from status) -> travel -> hypocritical Christian characters
Review:
Unbelievably sad how Gronniosaw oscillated so many times between fortune and despair.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2020
I wonder if this early example of "God used slavery for evangelism of Africa" was where that began? egan? Or if this just a reflects the pervasiveness of the idea?
The preface was quite awful - Calvinist determinism. As for the book, I wish it were possible to know much the author is speaking for the audience and how much is speaking his heart. The story is filled with "love of master" and rejoicing in enslavement because of learning of Jesus.
I won't be recommending this book. .
The preface was quite awful - Calvinist determinism. As for the book, I wish it were possible to know much the author is speaking for the audience and how much is speaking his heart. The story is filled with "love of master" and rejoicing in enslavement because of learning of Jesus.
I won't be recommending this book. .
October 18, 2025
Obviously a great historical interest here, but extremely hard to work out what bits Are history, given how much of this is propaganda. If there wasn't proof of this man's death and burial, I'd seriously wonder if he was an invention of some white Calvinist.
August 23, 2011
This is a very early slave narrative (1772) that is of interest mainly for historical reasons. James Albert had been African royalty who ended up being sold into slavery to a Methodist minister from New York. Upon his death the minister freed Gronniosaw, who then served as a privateer to clear his debts, then sailed to England, eventually ending up in extreme poverty a married to an English weaver. This narrative is more a tract about Christian faith (there is very little detail of his life as a slave), but sometimes the anger over his situation shows through the religious testimony: his awareness of the irony of being a wealthy African prince reduced to begging for food because he cannot find labor; his amazement that in a "Christian" nation he is constantly taken advantage of and cheated by the populace, etc. An interesting narrative.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews