It was the year 1841, and Solomon Northup, a free black man, lived a happy life with his wife and children in Minerva, New York. He was a talented musician and carpenter, with a promising future ahead of him. However, his life took a drastic turn when two men, Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton, approached him with an offer to play music in Washington D.C. and New York City. The pay was attractive, and Solomon, eager to provide for his family, agreed to go.