Initially enslaved by Dr. Thomas Wells, Prince was purchased in 1743 by Joseph Barnard, who hired him out to earn extra money. Account books show Barnard purchasing items for Prince and paying Dr. Thomas Williams for treatment after Prince was injured. In 1749, Prince escaped, taking a violin as well as clothing and other items, according to a notice Barnard placed in the Boston Weekly Post-Boy. By 1750, Prince was back in Deerfield. Two years later, Barnard paid James Crouch, a carpenter, to make Prince’s coffin.