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Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Name: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
ISBN: 9781549868030

Harriet A. Jacobs · 1861 · 238 pages

Women slavesUnited StatesSlavesSocial conditionsBiographyAutobiografie

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About this book

Reader be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of myadventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true.I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, mydescriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed the names ofplaces, and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive for secrecy onmy own account, but I deemed it kind and considerate towards others topursue this course.I wish I were more competent to the task I have undertaken. But I trust myreaders will excuse deficiencies in consideration of circumstances. I wasborn and reared in Slavery; and I remained in a Slave State twenty-sevenyears. Since I have been at the North, it has been necessary for me to workdiligently for my own support, and the education of my children. This hasnot left me much leisure to make up for the loss of early opportunities toimprove myself; and it has compelled me to write these pages at irregularintervals, whenever I could snatch an hour from household duties.When I first arrived in Philadelphia, Bishop Paine advised me to publish asketch of my life, but I told him I was altogether incompetent to such anundertaking. Though I have improved my mind somewhat since that time, Istill remain of the same opinion; but I trust my motives will excuse whatmight otherwise seem presumptuous. I have not written my experiences inorder to attract attention to myself; on the contrary, it would have beenmore pleasant to me to have b