Author's Preface

Reader, be assured this narrative is no fiction. I am aware that some of my adventures may seem incredible; but they are, nevertheless, strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by Slavery; on the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed the names of places, and given persons fictitious names. I had no motive for secrecy on my own account, but I deemed it kind and considerate towards others to pursue this course.

Reader, I assure you that this story is not fiction. I know some of my experiences may seem unbelievable, but they are strictly true. I have not exaggerated the wrongs inflicted by slavery. On the contrary, my descriptions fall far short of the facts. I have concealed the names of places and given people false names. I had no reason to be secretive for my own sake. But I thought it was kinder and more considerate to others to do so.

I wish I were more competent to the task I have undertaken. But I trust my readers will excuse deficiencies in consideration of circumstances. I was born and reared in Slavery; and I remained in a Slave State twenty-seven years. Since I have been at the North, it has been necessary for me to work diligently for my own support, and the education of my children. This has not left me much leisure to make up for the loss of early opportunities to improve myself; and it has compelled me to write these pages at irregular intervals, whenever I could snatch an hour from household duties.

I wish I were better prepared for the task I have undertaken. But I trust my readers will excuse my shortcomings because of my circumstances. I was born and raised in slavery, and I lived in a slave state for twenty-seven years. Since coming to the North, I have had to work hard to support myself and pay for my children’s education. This work has left me little free time to make up for the opportunities I lost to improve myself when I was young. It has also forced me to write these pages at irregular intervals, whenever I could find an hour away from household duties.

When I first arrived in Philadelphia, Bishop Paine advised me to publish a sketch of my life, but I told him I was altogether incompetent to such an undertaking. Though I have improved my mind somewhat since that time, I still remain of the same opinion; but I trust my motives will excuse what might otherwise seem presumptuous. I have not written my experiences in order to attract attention to myself; on the contrary, it would have been more pleasant to me to have been silent about my own history. Neither do I care to excite sympathy for my own sufferings. But I do earnestly desire to arouse the women of the North to a realizing sense of the condition of two millions of women at the South, still in bondage, suffering what I suffered, and most of them far worse. I want to add my testimony to that of abler pens to convince the people of the Free States what Slavery really is. Only by experience can any one realize how deep, and dark, and foul is that pit of abominations. May the blessing of God rest on this imperfect effort in behalf of my persecuted people!

When I first arrived in Philadelphia, Bishop Paine advised me to publish an account of my life. But I told him I was completely unfit for the task. Although I have improved my mind somewhat since then, I still feel the same way. But I hope my motives will excuse what might otherwise seem presumptuous. I have not written about my experiences to attract attention to myself. On the contrary, I would have preferred to remain silent about my own history. Nor do I want to stir up sympathy for my own suffering. But I do earnestly want women in the North to understand the condition of two million women in the South. They are still enslaved, suffering as I suffered, and most of them are suffering far worse. I want to add my testimony to that of more skilled writers. I hope to convince the people of the Free States what Slavery really is. Only through experience can anyone understand how deep, dark, and foul that pit of horrors is. May God bless this imperfect effort on behalf of my persecuted people!

Linda Brent.

Linda Brent.