Description I was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy childhood had passed away. - Taken from "Incidents In The Life Of A Slave Girl" written by Harriet Jacobs aka Linda Brent..
She was a little Girl when she was captured and sold to the keeper of a large hotel.
Such was the story my grandmother used to tell me; but I do not remember all the particulars.
It was during the Revolutionary War; and they were captured on their passage, carried back, and sold to different purchasers.
Augustine, where they had relatives.
She was the daughter of a planter in South Carolina, who, at his death, left her mother and his three children free, with money to go to St.
I had also a great treasure in my maternal grandmother, who was a remarkable woman in many respects.
I had one brother, William, who was two years younger than myself-a bright, affectionate child.
They lived together in a comfortable home; and, though we were all slaves, I was so fondly shielded that I never dreamed I was a piece of merchandise, trusted to them for safe keeping, and liable to be demanded of them at any moment.
In complexion my parents were a light shade of brownish yellow, and were termed mulattoes.
His strongest wish was to purchase his children; but, though he several times offered his hard earnings for that purpose, he never succeeded.
On condition of paying his mistress two hundred dollars a year, and supporting himself, he was allowed to work at his trade, and manage his own affairs.
My father was a carpenter, and considered so intelligent and skilful in his trade, that, when buildings out of the common line were to be erected, he was sent for from long distances, to be head workman.
Description I was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy childhood had passed away
