Martyr to Freedom

Captain Daniel Drayton is a relatively unknown figure of American history. He lived the life of an Atlantic Coastal trader and Abolitionist, and is memorable for his bravery in transporting seventy-seven fugitive slaves to the North on his ship the Pearl. In the summer of 1857, Drayton came to the city of New Bedford, Massachusetts and took his own life. This work investigates his possible reasons for doing so. Captain Daniel Drayton's life was filled with ambition and afflicted by failure-history sometimes forgets that those who have failed are just as valuable as those who succeeded. Martyr to Freedom illuminates the sad but honorable life of the Abolitionist, set in a historical context. Readers of all ages can gain a sense of understanding and respect for this tragic time in American history, and the people who helped bring us out of it.