An original copy of the 1798 pamphlet “A Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Venture, a Native of Africa” — a publication with ties to Stonington and New London — will be unveiled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the East Haddam Historical Society and Museum.

The pamphlet, written by Venture Smith, was the first recounting of a slave’s journey from Africa to America, documenting his capture and journey westward before he bought his freedom and became a successful businessman in Connecticut.

“Since Venture Smith could not read or write, Elisha Niles, a school teacher, wrote down Venture’s narrative for him,” according to a press release.

Smith, born son of an African king, was enslaved at age 7, grew up on Fishers Island, married in his 20s and, after a failed escape attempt, was sold to two different men in the Stonington area. The last of these slave holders, Oliver Smith, let him purchase his freedom, and Venture took Smith as his surname.

Smith next purchased the freedom of his wife and children, working diligently farming and fishing as well as spending months on a whaling expedition. Just before the Revolution began, Smith moved to East Haddam and developed a farm of more than 100 acres, while also developing fishing, orchard, lumberjacking and river trafficking businesses.

The pamphlet to be unveiled Saturday was donated to the East Haddam Historical Society nearly four decades ago by the late Hala Hungerford Brownell of East Haddam. “Captain Zachariah Hungerford of East Haddam most likely purchased this original pamphlet after Charles Holt at the Bee Office in New London ... published it in December 1798,” the release said.

Digital copies of the now-preserved publication have been completed by Essex Printing in Centerbrook and will be on sale.

Karl P. Stofko, East Haddam’s municipal historian and Venture Smith family genealogist, will be on hand to answer questions. He may also be reached at karstfk@aol.com.