Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb, an American Slave, Written by Himself | Page 6

with the exception of three weeks schooling which I
have had the good fortune to receive since my escape from the "grave
yard of the mind," or the dark prison of human bondage. And nothing
but untiring perseverance has enabled me to prepare this volume for the
public eye; and I trust by the aid of Divine Providence to be able to
make it intelligible and instructive. I thank God for the blessings of
Liberty--the contrast is truly great between freedom and slavery. To be
changed from a chattel to a human being, is no light matter, though the
process with myself practically was very simple. And if I could reach
the ears of every slave to-day, throughout the whole continent of
America, I would teach the same lesson, I would sound it in the ears of
every hereditary bondman, "break your chains and fly for freedom!"
It may be asked why I have written this work, when there has been so
much already written and published of the same character from other
fugitives? And, why publish it after having told it publicly all through
New England and the Western States to multiplied thousands?
My answer is, that in no place have I given orally the detail of my
narrative; and some of the most interesting events of my life have never
reached the public ear. Moreover, it was at the request of many friends
of down-trodden humanity, that I have undertaken to write the
following sketch, that light and truth might be spread on the sin and
evils of slavery as far as possible. I also wanted to leave my humble
testimony on record against this man-destroying system, to be read by
succeeding generations when my body shall lie mouldering in the dust.

But I would not attempt by any sophistry to misrepresent slavery in
order to prove its dreadful wickedness. For, I presume there are none
who may read this narrative through, whether Christians or
slaveholders, males or females, but what will admit it to be a system of
the most high-handed oppression and tyranny that ever was tolerated by
an enlightened nation.
HENRY BIBB

NARRATIVE
OF THE
LIFE OF HENRY BIBB

CHAPTER I.
_Sketch of my Parentage.--Early separation from my Mother.--Hard
Fare.--First Experiments at running away.--Earnest longing for
Freedom.--Abhorrent nature of Slavery._
I was born May 1815, of a slave mother, in Shelby County, Kentucky,
and was claimed as the property of David White Esq. He came into
possession of my mother long before I was born. I was brought up in
the Counties of Shelby, Henry, Oldham, and Trimble. Or, more
correctly speaking, in the above counties, I may safely say, I was
_flogged up_; for where I should have received moral, mental, and
religious instruction, I received stripes without number, the object of
which was to degrade and keep me in subordination. I can truly say,
that I drank deeply of the bitter cup of suffering and woe. I have been
dragged down to the lowest depths of human degradation and
wretchedness, by Slaveholders.
My mother was known by the name of Milldred Jackson. She is the
mother of seven slaves only, all being sons, of whom I am the eldest.
She was also so fortunate or unfortunate, as to have some of what is
called the slaveholding blood flowing in her veins. I know not how
much; but not enough to prevent her children though fathered by
slaveholders, from being bought and sold in the slave markets of the

South. It is almost impossible for slaves to give a correct account of
their male parentage. All that I know about it is, that my mother
informed me that my fathers name was JAMES BIBB. He was
doubtless one of the present Bibb family of Kentucky; but I have no
personal knowledge of him at all, for he died before my recollection.
The first time I was separated from my mother, I was young and small.
I knew nothing of my condition then as a slave. I was living with Mr.
White, whose wife died and left him a widower with one little girl, who
was said to be the legitimate owner of my mother, and all her children.
This girl was also my playmate when we were children.
I was taken away from my mother, and hired out to labor for various
persons, eight or ten years in succession; and all my wages were
expended for the education of Harriet White, my playmate. It was then
my sorrows and sufferings commenced. It was then I first commenced
seeing and feeling that I was a wretched slave, compelled to work
under the lash without wages, and often without clothes enough to hide
my nakedness. I have often worked without half enough to eat, both
late