Harriet Jacobs

Linda (Harriet Jacobs) was born into slavery on 1813 in Edenton North Carolina.

She was not aware that she was a slave until her mother passed away when she was 6 years of age. (Page 15)

• Her father was a carpenter and was also a slave who paid his mistress $200 a year to support himself. (Page 12)•His strongest wish was to purchase his children but never succeeded. (Page 12)•Linda’s parent’s were considered mulattoes. (Page 12)•Linda also had a younger brother named William. (Page 12)

Linda was very close to her maternal Grandmother.

Her Grandmother helped to raise and support her throughout the many trials she faced while she was a slave.

• At the age of twelve her kind hearted and loving mistress became ill and died. (Page 16)• When the will was read she learned that she had been bequeathed to her mistress’s sister’s daughter. (Page 16)• Dr. Flint who was a physician had married the sister of Linda’s mistress therefore she became the property of their little daughter. (Page 18) •This begins the long and heartbreaking journey of a slave for Linda.

• In her new home she encountered cold looks, cold words, and cold treatment. (Page 18) •This was a new experience since she was used to living in a warm and loving environment.• Once Linda reached the age of 15 Dr. Flint no longer looked at her as a child. • He began to whisper foul words into her innocent ears. (Page 45)•This caused Mrs. Flint to become jealous and therefore made life even more miserable for poor Linda.

Linda’s Love

Linda falls in love with a young colored carpenter; a free born man. Her lover wanted to buy her and get married but Dr. Flint wouldn’t allow it. (Page 59)

She is forbidden to speak to her lover so he leaves for Georgia.

• She meets Mr. Sands, a white unmarried gentleman who expressed a great deal of sympathy and wanted to help her with her needs. (Page 85)• He became the father of her two children, Benny and Ellen.• Dr. Flint still wouldn’t allow her freedom when Mr. Sands wanted to purchase her and the children. • Linda stated that she would rather see her children killed than have to give her children over to the power of Dr. Flint. (Page 123)

•Young Mr. Flint gets married. (Page 130)• Linda decides to work on his plantation.• After working on his plantation she decides to run away.• Dr. Flint puts out a $300 award for anyone who finds the 21 year old slave. (Page 150)

Linda’s Snake Bite

While she is in hiding Linda gets bit by a snake.

Her friend harbors her as she heals from the bite.

In Jail

Linda’s children and brother are jailed by Dr. Flint. He does this in hopes that Linda will return.

Mr. Sands wants to buy William for $900 and the children at $800.

Dr. Flint accepts his offer and the children are restored to the Grandmother.

Dr. Flint now has Linda’s Uncle Phillip arrested on charges of having aided in Linda’s escape. (Page 168)

• Linda continues to hide out but this time in a small shed that had been added to her Grandmother’s house. (Page 174)• Rats and mice fill the place and poor Linda is forced to live in these terrible and cramped conditions.

• Linda’s family lies to Dr. Flint and they tell him that she is living in New York. (Page 179)• Dr. Flint continues to make trips to New York in search of Linda.• While living in the loophole Linda becomes terrible ill but finally recovers with the help of her family.• Her brother William flees to Boston.

Ellen Goes to School

Mr. Sands proposed that Ellen should go to Brooklyn, Long Island to live with some of his relatives. He promised she would be able to attend school so she can learn to read and write. (Page 210)

They bring Ellen to the loophole to spend the night with her mother. This is the first time they see each other in years. (Page 213)

Linda Boards Ship

After years of being in the loophole Linda finally is able to board a ship to Philadelphia.

While in Philadelphia she meets Rev. Jeremiah Durham, a minister of Bethel Church. (Page 244)

She stays with the family until it is safe for her to travel to New York.

While in New York Linda meets up with her daughter Ellen. (Page 251)

Linda also becomes employed as a nurse maid to Mrs. Bruce, a kind and gentle English woman. (Page 255)

• When Mrs. Bruce dies Linda makes a visit to London where she is allowed to experience freedom.• Once Linda returns to the United States and reenters the Bruce family, the Fugitive Slave Law is passed. (Page 287)• Many families who had lived in the city for 20 years, fled from it now.• Wives discovered that heir husbands were fugitives and must leave to insure their safety. (Page 287)• Linda receives a letter from her Grandmother stating that Dr. Flint dies. (Page 295)

• Mr. Bruce remarried and his new wife Mrs. Bruce bought Linda and their children their freedom.• Linda does not like to look upon the bill of sale even to this day but is deeply grateful to her generous friend who procured it. (Paged 302)• Her Grandmother lived to rejoice in her newfound freedom but soon after died. (Page 303)• Linda would love to forget those days of slavery but is happy with the recollections she has of her Grandmother during those difficult years. (Page 304)