Question

1. Why do you think Venture Smith’s story continues to be told today? How might his story

be similar to or different from the experiences of other enslaved people?

2. Venture Smith said, “My freedom is a privilege which nothing else can equal.” Explain in your own words what you think he meant by this.

Answer 1

As gratitude, the lumberjack slave took Smith's last name as his own. After saving frugally for years, Venture Smith earned enough money to buy freedom for his wife and three children. Ms. ... Wormsley says his story is important because he overcame the horrific conditions of slavery to eventually live the American dream.