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Hello, my name is Elizabeth keckley. Born as a slave in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, I (1818–1907) gained renown as a seamstress, author, and philanthropist. Drawing upon her earnings as a seamstress, I was able to purchase her freedom from slavery in 1855. I was born during the mid-way 1800's. During this time, Life for the average person in the 1800´s was hard. Many had to work long hours in hard conditions. Back then they had no electricity, running water or central heating, causing life to be hard. At the age of 14, in 1832 ( my teenage years ) I was sent on a generous loan to live with and serve the eldest Burwell son Robert in Chesterfield country, Virginia, near Petersburg, when he married Margaret Anna Robertson. Robert was my half brother. I was their only servant. My Road to freedom was difficult. I did not meet my future husband ; James St. Louis, but i then reduced to marrying him. The only reason i did this was because i wanted me and my son to be free. I did not want to have another child born into slavery. My plan was to ask Hung A. Garland to free me and my son but he refused. I then would work for 2 years in order to persuade him, agreeing to purchase my freedom. In 1852, he agreed to release us for 1,200 dollars. His wife, Anne, put the conditions in writing in 1855. My patron. Me and my son were able to have freedom on November 15th, 1855.