Joe The Pressman: The Incredible True Story of an Enslaved African Boy who Became a Heroic Freedom Fighter
Long ago, an African boy was stolen from his family and forced onto a slave ship, sailing far from his homeland. Joe the Pressman recounts the remarkable true story of a young black boy who was taken to the Caribbean and then to Philadelphia, where he was enslaved by printer William Dunlap. His journey led him to Quebec City, where he worked in the print shop of William Brown and Thomas Gilmore, co-founders of the Quebec Gazette. Renamed Joe, he became the pressman, the shop's most valued labourer. However, Joe's memories of freedom fueled his determination to escape the bonds of slavery. He successfully fled five times, enduring the harsh Quebec winters, which compelled his enslavers to publish fugitive slave ads in their attempts to recapture him. Joe's defiance highlights his intelligence and bravery, and it is through his struggles that we learn about his life. This book honours Joe's legendary spirit and educates young readers about the lesser-known histories of slavery in colder regions like the US North and Canada. Through Joe's inspiring story, readers gain insight into the past while being encouraged to confront injustice and embrace their own strength.
Table of Contents
Story
Author’s Note
List of Illustrations
Glossary
Bibliography
Category: Illustrated Children’s Book
Publication Date: 2026
Details: Softcover, 42 pages, recommended ages 7-12
ISBN: 979-8-3188044-1-0 (hardcover)
979-8-3188044-2-7 (paperback)
Figures: 23 colour, 5 black & white
Author: Charmaine A. Nelson
Publisher: Black Maple Magazine Publishing, Amherst, MA, USA
