Freedom
From 1843 to 1845, Horace King traveled and worked on his own in Columbus, Mississippi and Wetumpka, Alabama working for Robert Jemison, Jr., an entrepreneur and Alabama Legislator. Jemison saw King’s skill as builder, which was in very short supply in the South.
"Because of the surviving correspondence between Jemison and his contractors, Horace King and John Godwin, this two-and-a-half year period is the most documented phase of Horace's life. These writings illustrate the unique status of King as a slave. Jemison's letters document Horace's level of skill, his value as a craftsman, his freedom of movement, and his warm personal relationship with Jemison. What began with Jemison's need for a skilled architect-builder blossomed over time into a true friendship. Jemison provided the political influence necessary to emancipate Horace in 1846, and Horace's income from Jemison's projects probably allowed King to buy his freedom." (Lupold, John S. and French Jr., Thomas L. Bridging Deep South Waters, 2004). Left: Photograph, Robert Jemison, Jr., Alabama Department of Digital Archives and History, Digital Collection.
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