Most Americans have heard of Harriet Tubman, the iron-willed “conductor” on the Underground Railroad who made hundreds of trips into the South before the Civil War to rescue escaped slaves. Tubman was so dangerous to slaveholders that they put a price on her head. But we know rather little of Tubman because she gave us no written records. Like other celebrated female slaves such as Sojourner Truth, Tubman was illiterate. There are no written papers left behind from either.
Another famous Harriet
But here’s another escaped slave named Harriet whose dramatic story you may not know. Harriet Jacobs was supremely literate, a keen observer who wrote a book recording her thoughts and experiences, giving modern audiences a window into the soul of a tormented escaped slave.
Her story, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, was published under the pseudonym Linda Brent because she was still a fugitive. She revealed the degrading conditions of slavery, and her story motivated many to join the abolitionist movement or even the Union army.
Harriet Jacobs was born in North Carolina in 1813. She was subjected to cruel and sadistic sexual harassment by her master, Dr. James Norcom (called “Dr. Flint” in Incidents) as she came of age. Leaving two children behind, she “escaped” to New York City. Or did she? Jacobs never actually left the estate but managed to disappear from sight. Norcom gave chase but failed to find her.
Like the immigrant experience in America, there is no one slave experience; it was not uniform. There were huge differences in the lives of slaves. Urban and rural. Male and female. Literate and illiterate. Wealthy and poor owners.
You will see yet again how strong is the human spirit. Some wilt in the face of adversity and pain; others use them as sources of strength and motivation. Jacobs’ story emboldens us all.
If this post helped you understand something about America’s history, in its glory or in its pathos, won’t you please share? Consider joining our mailing list too, for weekly newsletters and blogs. History is important. There is nothing with which to build the future but the lumber of the past and the voices of experience.