12BENJAMIN BANNEKERIn a few years Molly set her slaves free. Soon after that she married Bannaka. He was Ben grandfather. He had died many years before Ben was born, but BenBen father and grandfather came to America from Africagrandmother eyes still lit up with pleasure when she told the story of the African prince. As Ben grew older, there was less time for stories and more time for work. He helped his father take care of the cows andin slave ships. Slaves were locked below the ship deck in holds. Each person might have a space to sit or lie that was only 18 inches wide. Many Africans died before reaching America. Some jumped overboard to escape the horrible conditions.feed the chickens. Together they pulled weeds from around the tiny tobacco plants. Ben father was a good farmer. But the farm belonged to Ben grandmother. Ben parents wanted to own their own farm. After several years of hard work, they saved enough money to buy some land. Ben was six years old when he moved with his parents and little sisters to their new home. Ben name was written on the land deed right
