Austin Reed
This memoirist is the author of this book which outlines his difficult journey as a prisoner in the 1850's. As an African American, his time in prison was riddled by injustice, and this is the only surviving memoir of its kind, because he was one of the few literate African Americans (because of systemic injustice, of course). As an avid reader, he often talks about being misunderstood and disenfranchised. He escapes from jail after being sentence on trumped up charges, but eventually he gets caught and sent to Auburn State Prison.
Caleb Smith
This real life person collected Reed's various attempts at memoir and published them in a collection. He adds commentary throughout the book, showing that some of Reed's claims were likely not completely truthful. He tells about what historians have often concluded about Reed's opinions and stories, and he even goes so far as to say that the consensus is that some of the crimes that he was accused of were actually committed, while others seem improbable.
The farmer
There is a farmer mentioned in the story who plays a pretty important role in the story. Since this is set so far in the past, Reed notes that his life as a farm helper is similar to slavery, and he doesn't like that. But this farmer is not a slaver. Instead, he is a mentor and employer to reed, paying him very little to do hard work, but also teaching him important skills. In the end, this farmer blames Reed for arson, but Reed maintains it was a misunderstanding; the fire was an accident, he says.
