Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
Harriet A. Jacobs (1813-1897)
Harriet Jacobs's memoir, published in 1861 under the pen name Linda Brent, doubted for decades and only in the twentieth century proved to be her own. Born in Edenton, North Carolina, Jacobs is fifteen when her master begins his pursuit; she hides for seven years in a crawlspace above her grandmother's store, within sight of her children and within hearing of the auctions, before escaping by boat to the free North. Lydia Maria Child edited the book, and it is remarkable for what it says out loud about the sexual injury of slavery and about a mother's love used as strategy.
Text sourced from Project Gutenberg (public domain in the United States); the Project Gutenberg trademark and license text have been removed on import. Public-domain status determined by the author's death year + 50 years rule.
Table of Contents
- 001 I. Childhood I was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years… 2525 words
- 002 On the appointed day, the customary advertisement was posted up… 2511 words
- 003 When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command… 2552 words
- 004 Could you have seen that mother clinging to her child, when they… 2532 words
- 005 I once saw two beautiful children playing together. 2591 words
- 006 Southern women often marry a man knowing that he is the father of many little slaves. 2502 words
- 007 Again and again I revolved in my mind how all this would end. 2523 words
- 008 In my childhood I knew a valuable slave, named Charity, and loved… 2656 words
- 009 I have told you that Dr. Flint’s persecutions and his wife’s jealousy… 2512 words
- 010 “Very well,” said he; “then take the consequences of your wayward course. 2559 words
- 011 “And what _were_ we sent for?” said the captain, bristling up to me. 2517 words
- 012 I knew an old black man, whose piety and childlike trust in God were beautiful to witness. 2502 words
- 013 When my baby was about to be christened, the former mistress of my… 2658 words
- 014 My grandmother was much cast down. 2676 words
- 015 I replied, that if I went away, perhaps their father would be able to… 2562 words
- 016 “$300 Reward! Ran away from the subscriber, an intelligent, bright… 2892 words
- 017 Some days after this adventure I had a much worse fright. 2527 words
- 018 The news of his arrest was carried to my grandmother, who conveyed it to Betty. 2729 words
- 019 Benny ran terrified into the house, saying, “You can’t put me in jail again. 2548 words
- 020 But childhood is like a day in spring, alternately shower and sunshine. 2540 words
- 021 Linda.” “It is very much as I expected it would be,” said the old hypocrite, rising to go. 2661 words
- 022 When Dr. Flint’s family heard that William had deserted Mr. Sands… 2613 words
- 023 If the secret memoirs of many members of Congress should be… 2539 words
- 024 Countless were the nights that I sat late at the little loophole… 2537 words
- 025 “But it is another woman I want to bring,” said Peter. 2837 words
- 026 I had never seen so large a city, or been in contact with so many people in the streets. 2500 words
- 027 She staid with me till dark, and I went home with her. 2623 words
- 028 There was a good opportunity to send Benny in a vessel coming directly to New York. 2586 words
- 029 Early the next morning, Judge Vanderpool and Lawyer Hopper were consulted. 2541 words
- 030 Of course I did not write to return thanks for this cordial invitation. 2651 words
- 031 This is a fair specimen of how the moral sense is educated by slavery. 2520 words
- 032 The next day, baby and I set out in a heavy snow storm, bound for New England again. 1190 words