William Grimes

William Grimes (c. 1784 – August 20, 1865) was an African American barber and writer who authored what is considered the first narrative of a formerly enslaved American, Life of William Grimes, the Runaway Slave, published in 1825, with a second edition published in 1855. Another revised edition was published by one of his descendants in 2008. Grimes escaped slavery by boarding on a ship called Casket, which sailed from Savannah, Georgia to New York City. His father was Benjamin Grymes, Jr., a wealthy plantation owner; Grimes' mother was a slave on a neighboring plantation. Benjamin Grymes, Jr., the father of William Grimes was the great-grandson of William Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh was the founder of Eagles's Nest plantation located in King George County, Virginia. Benjamin Grymes, Jr., volunteered for Grayson's Continental Line Regiment in the American Revolutionary army and eventually received the rank of Lieutenant in 1777. He then travelled by foot from New York City to New Haven, Connecticut.

Grimes settled in New Haven, Connecticut, where he was a successful barber. They had eighteen children together, but only twelve survived until adulthood.

The 1820 United States census indicates that Grimes was the head of a seven-member household in Litchfield. Following this, Grimes rented his barbershop in Litchfield and moved to New Haven where he worked as a barber, grocer, and furniture merchant. Clarissa Caesar, his wife, then left for California because she and Grimes split some time before writing his second edition. Grimes gives no information as to why this occurred. However, he mentions that only his youngest child is still with him at that time and does not know where any other child of his is.

Grimes was still listed as living in New Haven in the 1830 and 1840 United States census.

In the 1860 United States census, William Grimes was listed as the head of an eight-person household in New Haven, while his occupation is shown as a lottery dealer.

Purchasing of Freedom in Litchfield Grimes became a known figure in Litchfield and New Haven, Connecticut while living there. Through his multiple jobs of barbering, furniture trading, and errand running for students, he was able to network with students, faculty, and politicians in the communities. This connection with members of each community caused Grimes' recent enslaver to learn where Grimes was. Feeling that the community of Litchfield was smaller and the political landscape would be more in his favor if his recent enslaver came looking for him, Grimes moved to Litchfield. Grimes had to mortgage his property and take on debt to pay for his freedom. However, the people with whom he was connected and friends in Litchfield were able to help him with his negotiation of the price for his freedom. A 2017 film by Sean Durant entitled Gina's Journey: The Search for William Grimes documents her experiences tracking down information about Grimes over fifteen years. It includes reenactments of scenes from both Mason's and Grimes's lives with narration by Keith David.

Death Grimes died on August 20, 1865, about 81 years old, in New Haven, Connecticut. On his death, his obituary was published as far away as Brooklyn, New York.

Slave narratives

Life of William Grimes, the runaway slave William Grimes published his first slave narrative, Life of William Grimes, the runaway slave, in 1825 to recover finances. His slave narrative provides great detail of his life until 1825. This slave narrative was published only months after he purchased his freedom.

An updated version of the autobiography was published in 1855. However, his second release of a slave narrative did receive a much different reception from the first. The abolitionist press at the time did not reference the second edition in any newspapers.