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My Name Is Obah by Joquin Bonville

The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) sponsored an essay contest for 5th through 8 th graders in Maine. Students were asked to write about the colonial reaction to the Stamp Act, prior to the Revolutionary War. Joquin Bonville was the state’s third place winner for the 5 th grade!

My name is Obah. I am a thirteen-year-old African- American slave living on a tobacco farm in the colony of Virginia. My mother died giving birth to me. I am an only child. I am owned by Sir Jonathan Chapman. He is a wealthy plantation owner and is loyal to the King. My father works in the fields as a slave beside me. He believes that we should just let the Loyalists handle the problems of Parliament and British law. He thinks that we are not part of our master’s outside struggles. We are nothing but slaves. I think otherwise. I believe we can become free if we try. My father and freedom are the most important to me, but I want my freedom more than anything. I want to learn about the world outside this plantation. When other plantation owners and their families come to visit Sir Jonathan, I eavesdrop on their conversations about British law and the happenings in the other colonies. I really don’t know much about the government, taxes, or British law, but I am secretly listening to the discussions on the plantation. The people in Virginia and in other colonies are angry. They complain of new taxes. The latest are the Stamp Act taxes. The people are trying to remove this tax on playing cards, legal papers, and other important documents. Since I can’t read and have no education, these taxes mean nothing to me. My life is partly affected because my master must follow the King’s law and suffer the consequences of the Island Riches R Flowers, Vegetable Plants, Silver Jewelry, Framed and Unframed Art, Handcrafts and Art from Island Artists, Toys, Gifts for Any Occasion.

taxes. I fear that I may be sold soon. My owner is losing money because he cannot sell his cotton and tobacco due to the embargo and increased taxes. I do not know what an embargo means, but it worries my master and me as well. His colleagues call themselves Loyalists because they honor King George III whom they feel is their ruler. The Loyalists, including Sir Chapman, are worried that the struggle between King George and the colonies will become worse. This could result in war between the colonies and Great Britain. Although they are still loyal to him, they are angry that they do not have a part in King George’s decisions. There is one thing that I will never forget. My master and I both lack freedom. He cannot take part in decisions that control his life as a Loyalist or a plantation owner. I see that King George is having trouble getting his taxes. He cannot control the colonies as he has before. King George is sending troops to protect the taxed freight and cargo, the sailing ships, and to keep the peace without violence. Many of the slaves could go fight with the British against the Patriots. The British will grant the slaves freedom if they join in battle against the Sons of Liberty. I will risk my life fighting for the British. I will ask Sir Jonathan Chapman to give me the freedom to fight with the British.

Freedom is what I want. I will put my heart and soul into becoming a British soldier, if that is what it takes.

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June 2016 CHEBEAGUE ISLAND COUNCIL CALENDAR