Grandmother’s youngest son. Although Benjamin is Linda’s uncle, he’s only a few years older than her, and grows up alongside her and William. He’s impetuous and independent-minded, and from his boyhood chafes at his status as a slave. As a young man, Benjamin runs away, is recaptured, and manages to escape again. Grandmother is distraught to lose her youngest child, even if it means he’s gained his freedom; her sadness shows the extent to which slavery fractures families, even when escape is possible.