The incredible story of two American slaves who escaped and found freedom in South Africa
Date Released: Mon, 20 October 2014 10:57 +0200A Chance meeting in a Grahamstown supermarket between a social worker and a Rhodes University professor has inspired research into the origins of a Stutterheim family thought to be the descendants of two freed American slaves.
The fascinating story of the Pirie Forest-dwelling Fourie clan - who have called themselves the "Frees of the Forest" for generations - would probably not have seen the light of day if Nosipho Adam had not
bumped into Professor Russell Kaschula and told him she had found a picture of a long dead relative, Ellen Styles, and was planning to write a book about her slave origins.
Intrigued at being approached by a complete stranger with such a fascinating story, Kaschula - a renowned Xhosa expert - took Adam's phone number and promised to help.
"We had never met before, she heard somewhere that I was a Rhodes University professor and took a chance asking me if I could help.
Article by: David Macgregor
Article source: Daily Dispatch
Source:Daily Dispatch