Benjamin's College Education, and Thanksgiving in Ohio

Benjamin Sampson attended Central College in the 1850s before he'd continue on with his education at Oberlin College. In 1860, Benjamin would graduate from Oberlin from the Classical Department with high honors as a "college professor and editor" according to the graduation lists for 1860.

In 1857, before attending Oberlin College, Benjamin was invited to speak at Thanksgiving Festivities in Fairfield, Ohio. Fairfield was known for its hostility towards its black population during this time so this is surprising that they'd invite an African American man give a speech and speaks to the character of Benjamin. During his speech he'd go on to address the prejudices within the community itself, and then to his main point which discusses the United States governments shortcomings regarding slavery. In this speech Benjamin boldly argued to the Fairfield crowds, “The American government has long been looked upon as the purest and best under the sun; but the great obstruction in her path to national glory, was the blasting system of human slavery.”