The Torturous Road to FreedomThe Torturous Road to Freedom

Alvin Coffey was born into slavery, but his birth circumstance did not prevent him from achieving his dream of freedom. Even though a slave in Kentucky and later in Missouri, Alvin served his different owner without complaint. As an adult, he accompanied his master to California, stayed with his master when he was near death with disease, and accepted the duplicity of his master when they both returned to Missouri. After being sold once again, Alvin returned to California with the permission of his new owner and earned enough money to secure freedom for himself and his family. Alvin not only escaped slavery by his own persistence, he used his ingenuity to create a new life for his own children and for his numerous descendants.