Tom was born as a slave on Massa Lea's Plantation in Caswell County, North Carolina to "Chicken" George and his wife, Matilda. He has five brothers and two sisters. During his time in Massa Lea's Plantation, he becomes an apprentice for blacksmith at another plantation. When his father and his master lost a bet in a cockfight to Sir Eric Russell, George have go to England to owe his master's debts. Before he leaves, George tells the story of the African, Kunta Kinte to his family. Massa Lea's fortunes continue to diminish that he sold young Tom and his family except his grandmother, Kizzy, due to the latter's old age, to Massa Murray (Harvey in the miniseries), a kind, rich slaveowner who run a company in Alamance County, North Carolina.