For Northup of ‘12 Years a Slave,’ family determined to fulfill final wish

Northup’s autobiography served as a genealogical and historical roadmap for Adams. And this week, he retraced the steps of Northup’s final days as a free man. The millions of tourists who visit Washington every year don’t often  realize that the nation’s capital was actually the center for the domestic slave trade in the 19th century. In fact, it was home to one of the most active slave depots in the country.

“This spot was the actual Gadsby’s Hotel where Solomon stayed at when he came down to Washington City,” Adams told America Tonight, standing outside the Newseum, the location of America Tonight’s studios. “This is also the place that he was kidnapped and brought down to the Williams slave pen to get sold into slavery. This was the last place where he was free. And this is my first time ever being in this spot in all of my travels in Washington city.”

The landmarks in his ancestor’s book have of course changed in 160 years, but Adams likes to stop at them and look around, taking in the view.

“The book is so detailed that I felt that I was there seeing through his eyes what he was going through with slavery,” he said. “Now I can see in his eyes what he was seeing before he was even kidnapped.”

After Northup was drugged at the hotel by two kidnappers, he woke up in shackles just a few blocks away at the Williams slave pen on 7^th Street and Independence Avenue SW, where the Federal Aviation Administration headquarters sits today.

Northup wrote that he could see the U.S. Capitol from his captivity. Today, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum stands right in the way of the view he would have had.

“This definitely is the corner because he stated in his book that when he regained consciousness and looked out the cellar window of the William slave pen, he directly saw the U.S. Capitol,” Adams said, “and that's how he knew that he was still in Washington, D.C., and wasn't at least yet been sold down south to slavery.”

But just a few days later, Northup, along with other men who had been kidnapped, was taken to Louisiana, where he would endure the next 12 years as a slave.

“Solomon Northup's story is part of American history,” Adams said. “It is a history of America that has been swept under the rug for way too long. I am just making sure that his story is not just known to his family, but letting him know that we're getting your story out to the world because his story represents thousands of cases.” He added: “We are proud of Solomon Northup for his strength, his perseverance, his faith, his love for his family – and just letting him know that his story will be passed on a generation. I will ensure that my children know and they're going to make sure that their children know as well.”