Harriet Jacobs

1. Harriet Jacobs 1813 ? - 1897

2. Harriet Jacobs • Born into slavery in North Carolina • Orphaned at the age of 16 • Taken into the home of her owner and trained as a house servant • This is where Jacobs learned to read and write (normally forbidden to slaves) • When her owner died, she was “willed” to her mistress’s niece and sent to live with Dr. James Norcom • As a teen, she was subjected to harassment by Norcom • He was furious at her refusals of his advances, and sent her away to do hard labor as a plantation slave. He also threatened to do the same to her children. • She escaped from the plantation and found shelter with sympathetic family and friends (both black and white).

3. Harriet Jacobs • Found the safest place at her grandmothers – a tiny crawl space above a store room • Hid there for 7 yrs. Reading (mostly the Bible), writing, sewing, and watching her children • In 1842, she escaped to NYC – worked as a nursemaid and reunited with her children eventually • Spent the next 10 yrs. as a fugitive • Gained her freedom in 1852 • Began writing the story of her life in 1853, published it herself in 1861 using the pen name Linda Brent • After the publication, she became an active abolitionist, working during the Civil War to relieve poverty and suffering of former slaves • Distributed clothing and supplies, raised money, and helped to establish schools and orphanages in Philadelphia, New York, Washington D.C., Alexandria, and Savannah