“The Ballston Spa Trial of Solomon Northup’s Kidnappers”, a presentation by David Fiske, biographer of Solomon Northup, will be one of four featured presentations at the Saratoga County History Faire at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library, in Clifton Park, New York, on May 16, 2015. David Fiske will be the first speaker at 10:30 am.
Solomon Northup, the subject of the Oscar-winning film 12 Years a Slave, was lured away from Saratoga Springs in 1841 and sold into slavery. After being a slave for years, he was rescued and returned to New York State, and authored a book about his experiences.
The book, Twelve Years a Slave, was very popular in the 1850s, and one reader realized that he probably knew who had kidnapped Northup. Two men were apprehended, and put on trial in Saratoga County. The court case was thwarted by delays and legal technicalities, and was dropped by the District Attorney after it languished several years in the judicial system.
Other presentations at the History Faire include:
11:15 am – “Making Sense of the Labyrinth: Finding Materials at the County Offices,” by Saratoga County Clerk Craig Hayner.
12:00 noon – “America’s Richest Nun, The Story of Saint Katharine Drexel,” Dave Hubbard (affiliated with the Grant Cottage in Wilton).
12:45 pm – “She Called Him Raymond” (a true story of love, loss, faith and healing), Ray O’Conor.
In addition to the presentations, the event will feature children’s activities, exhibits by history organizations, and vendors offering books on historical topics. The event, taking place from 10 am to 2 pm, has been organized by Heritage Hunters of Saratoga County, a local genealogy society.
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