Harriet Jacobs, Abolitionist and Author

Abolitionist, writer, reformer, educator.

Born

February 11

1897

Died

March 7

1897

Introduction

Harriet Jacobs (1813–1897) was an African-American writer and abolitionist born into slavery in North Carolina. She is best known for her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861), written under the pseudonym Linda Brent. Jacobs’ narrative details her harrowing encounters with sexual harassment by her enslaver, Dr. James Norcom, and highlights her remarkable bravery as she hid in a cramped attic crawl space for seven years to safeguard herself and her children. After escaping to the North, she became active in abolitionist and feminist movements, using her story to combat slavery and aid freed slaves during and after the Civil War.

Key Contributions

Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, abolitionist work, relief for Black Civil War refugees.

Early life and education

Born in 1813 in Edenton, North Carolina, Harriet Jacobs entered the world as an enslaved person. Her mother, Delilah, was enslaved by the Horniblow family, while her father, Elijah Knox, was a skilled carpenter who had biracial heritage. Under the law partus sequitur ventrem, Harriet followed in her mother's enslaved status. Initially, her childhood was relatively sheltered, giving her brother and her a comfortable life due to their father's craftsmanship. After her mother's death in 1819, Jacobs moved in with her enslaver, Margaret Horniblow, who taught her to read, write, and sew—lessons not commonly offered to enslaved children. When Jacobs turned 11, she was willed to Mary Norcom, whose father became her master. This early literacy would prove crucial as Jacobs later became a writer and an activist for abolition.

Escape from slavery and fight for freedom

Harriet Jacobs embarked on her determined quest for freedom from slavery in 1842, making difficult choices to protect her children from the harsh realities of enslavement. Her owner, Dr. James Norcom, intended for her children to work in the fields once they turned six years old. This threat pushed Jacobs to come up with a plan to escape and secure a better future for her kids. She believed disappearing would prompt Norcom to sell them, allowing their father to buy and free them. Her plan bore fruit; her children were bought and freed, but Jacobs remained shackled.

To stay close to her children while deceiving Norcom, Jacobs hid in a tiny crawlspace above a storeroom in her grandmother’s house, the home of a free black woman in Edenton, North Carolina. For almost seven years, she kept her hiding place a secret even from her children, enduring the discomfort of the cramped attic, where the conditions caused permanent damage to her body. During this time, she watched her children grow, peering through a crack in the floor and missing out on so much of their lives.

Finally, in 1842, Jacobs escaped north using Edenton's maritime Underground Railroad after years of confinement. Once in the North, she arranged to have her daughter join her in Philadelphia and later sent for her son in Boston, reuniting with both while living in hiding herself. It took nearly another decade for Jacobs to achieve full legal freedom. After this, she became a passionate abolitionist and writer, drawn from her personal story to combat slavery and support other freedom seekers.

Her most notable work, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, was published in 1861 under the pseudonym Linda Brent. This autobiography shed light on her experiences of sexual harassment by Norcom and the trauma of slavery; it also detailed the years she spent in hiding. The book played a crucial role in highlighting the brutal realities of slavery, particularly the struggles faced by enslaved women, thus significantly influencing anti-slavery sentiment as tensions escalated in the United States, which ultimately culminated in the Civil War.

With the onset of war, Jacobs dedicated herself to helping newly freed African Americans in the South, marking her commitment to the fight for civil rights and justice. Her journey from enslavement to freedom provides a powerful example of bravery and determination in the face of oppression and her legacy continues to inspire advocates for equality.

Life as a free woman and activism

After gaining her legal freedom, Harriet Jacobs became a committed activist, primarily focusing on education and relief work for freed African Americans during and after the Civil War. In 1864, she founded the Jacobs Free School in Alexandria, Virginia, which was the first tuition-free school led by Black teachers for Black children; she successfully overcame significant opposition from white missionary societies seeking control. Jacobs tirelessly advocated for healthcare, education, housing, and basic human rights for freedpeople. Though she aimed to establish an orphan asylum in Savannah, Georgia, post-war conditions made this challenging. Her activism went beyond just education, positioning her as a prominent voice for freedpeople's welfare and social reforms, highlighting the ongoing struggle for Black freedom and equality, even after emancipation.

Legacy and impact on abolition and women's rights

Harriet Jacobs' legacy profoundly shaped the abolition movement and women's rights through her impactful autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. This work revealed the sexual exploitation and oppression that enslaved women faced, shedding light on issues that were often overlooked. By showcasing the connection between race and gender, Jacobs significantly influenced both abolitionists and early feminists, emphasizing the struggles of women under slavery. During the Civil War, she actively assisted escaped enslaved people and helped to establish schools for Black children, advocating for African American self-governance. After the war, Jacobs continued her commitment to social justice by organizing the National Association of Colored Women, which highlighted Black women's leadership. Her narrative remains a vital aspect of African American cultural history, inspiring ongoing efforts for racial and gender equality.

Later years and writings

In her later years, Harriet Jacobs became a committed abolitionist, feminist, and activist after escaping from slavery. Jacobs published her important autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, in 1861 under the name Linda Brent. This work highlighted the sexual exploitation and many hardships faced by enslaved women. After the Civil War, she did significant work to support Black refugees and soldiers, aiming to assist newly freed African Americans. Additionally, Jacobs founded two schools for Black children in the South and traveled to England to gather funds for freedmen. Her activism continued until her death in Washington, D.C., in 1897. The impact of her writings and efforts played a crucial role in raising awareness about the cruelty of slavery and championing Black women’s rights and education.

Challenges and struggles in the fight for justice

Harriet Jacobs faced profound challenges in her fight for justice as an enslaved African American woman. Born into slavery in North Carolina, she endured sexual harassment from her enslaver, who threatened to sell her children if she did not comply with him. To protect herself and keep her children close, Jacobs hid in a cramped attic crawl space for nearly seven years, suffering significant physical and emotional hardship. After escaping to the North in 1842, she reunited with her children but remained under legal threat due to the Fugitive Slave Act. Despite these dangers, Jacobs became an outspoken abolitionist, publishing her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, in 1861, where she exposed the brutal realities of slavery, particularly the sexual abuses faced by enslaved women. During and after the Civil War, she actively supported freed slaves by organizing aid and founding schools.

Final thoughts on the journey for freedom and equality

Harriet Jacobs' journey toward freedom and equality stands as a powerful testament to resilience and courage. Born into slavery, she faced years of abuse and captivity but remained determined in her quest for liberty. Hiding in a cramped attic for seven years, she separated herself from her children to evade her enslaver and protect her family. Her escape to the North initiated her active fight for freedom and justice. Through her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Jacobs gave voice to the suffering of enslaved women while advocating for abolition and women’s rights. Her story underscores the brutal realities of slavery, highlighting the strength needed to overcome it. Jacobs lived long enough to see freedom for herself and her children, symbolizing both personal victory and the broader struggle for African American equality in America.

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