He was free, but his wife and son weren't.

Their enslaver had finally agreed to sell his family to him, and no price was too high

to retrieve his family.

But a cruel twist of fate would make Dangerfield Newby prove his worth.

This is two-minute black history, what you didn't learn in school.

Dangerfield Newby was a free man, and the one thing he wanted most in the world was to reunite

with his wife and children.

The white enslaver holding them captive finally agreed on a purchase price for them, but

then something went wrong.

By the time Newby earned the money, the white man was struggling financially.

When Newby arrived to pay, the double-crosser had increased the price.

Now his family might be sold out from under him.

Infuriated, Newby left without his family, but didn't give up.

Slavery was becoming more and more controversial in 1859, so when Newby had the opportunity

to help plant a revolt, he took it.

He'd tried to do the right thing and purchased them, but now he would help destroy the institution

of enslavement altogether.

Newby helped plant the Harper's Ferry Revolt, which went on to become the most famous

revolt of enslaved people in US history.

What's more, this attempt served as a precursor to the Civil War.

Unfortunately, Newby died in the revolt.

I love letter from his wife was pinned to his chest.

...