Matthew Henson was born on August 8 th , 1866 in Maryland . His parents were free African-American sharecroppers. When Matthew was only four his family moved to Washington D.C. where his parents were able to find good jobs. Unfortunately soon after moving Matthew was orphaned, when both of his parents died. His siblings and he moved to an uncle who lived nearby. At twelve Matthew Henson left home to work as a cabin boy on the ship Katie Hines . This was his first experience at sea, one that he would grow to love.