Coping With His Life

William Jr. and Jacob were close in age. Despite their very different backgrounds, they would have formed some sort of a relationship. What might it have been like? Enslaved children sometimes played with their owners' children and even formed friendships. Nonetheless, they were not of equal social status, and any friendships would change as the children took on their adult roles.

In most cases, slaves worked six days a week, for ten to fourteen hours a day. Depending on the number of enslaved residents in London Town, Jacob might have had friends or family nearby. He might have been allowed to go fishing and could have spent what little free time he had in a community of his own. Of course, he would have needed Mr. Brown's permission before he did anything.