Category: Biographies

A Woman's Life-Work — Labors and Experiences of Laura S. Haviland

Baptist Deacon Convicted of the Sin of Slavery by his Slave--Willis Hamilton's Escape with his Slave-wife, Elsie, to Canada--Removal to Michigan--Whereabouts Discovered by Elsie's Master--Deeply Laid Scheme to Capture the Hamilton Family--Threats of Violence--Second Attempt an...

Chapters

30. Chapter 30

We found a necessity for organized work, and formed a Freedmen's Relief Association, in Detroit, with Captain E. B. Ward, president; Rev. William Webb, vice-president; Benjamin...

31. Chapter 31

At New Orleans, where we arrived April 6, 1864, our home was a very pleasant one. Beneath the windows of our room was a grove of fig-trees. We had the kindest of friends.

33. Chapter 33

There were many sick, crippled, aged, and blind sufferers in Washington to visit and relieve, but the severest trial I endured was encountering the virus of disloyalty wherever...

22. Chapter 22

Willis Hamilton, an emancipated slave, the hero of this narrative, who fled to Canada with his slave wife, Elsie, to seek for her the protection of the British lion from the mer...

28. Chapter 28

A family of six left their old Kentucky home in search of freedom. A young wife who was sold had made her escape three years previously. I noticed a stranger passing through my...

29. Chapter 29

Our last chapter left us in hospital world at Cairo. A portion of the freedmen's camp of three thousand the officers proposed to remove to Island No. 10, and wished me to take m...

26. Chapter 26

Very many incidents of interest we must pass over; but, suffice to say, there was seldom a week passed without a slave or slaves leaving a boat or otherwise crossing the river i...

25. Chapter 25

The exciting intelligence reached us that Clara and her three little ones were about to be captured by slave-holders in the city, on Pearl Street. I called on her at once, and f...

20. Chapter 20

At the earnest solicitation of many dear friends I have consented to leave on record some of the incidents that have fallen under my personal observation during three-score and...

36. Chapter 36

It seemed refreshing to meet with sympathizing friends after toiling for months among false brethren. It was a relief to enjoy a few days of freedom from care. After asking a fe...

32. Chapter 32

Our Freedmen's Aid Commission was enlarged in June, 1864. Dr. George Duffield was made president; Drs. Hogarth and Chase, vice-presidents; David Preston, treasurer; and B. C. Du...

34. Chapter 34

I was told by General Armstrong, commander of the post in Elizabeth City, that twenty-five thousand inhabitants had been supplied with food, and that more whites than blacks had...

37. Chapter 37

Our investigations have proved to the friends of the former slaves that their emigration from the South was not instituted and put into operation by their own choice, except as...

24. Chapter 24

As my married children had charge of the farm, and the younger ones were in school, and well provided for, I spent a few months in mission work and nursing the sick. My dear fri...

23. Chapter 23

In the Autumn of 1847 a gentleman of evident culture called for early breakfast, though he had passed a public house about two miles distant. I mistrusted my stranger caller to...

27. Chapter 27

While visiting friends in Detroit and Canada previous to reopening Raisin Institute, as I designed, I was earnestly solicited by Henry Bibb, Horace Hallack, and Rev. Chas. C. Fo...

21. Chapter 21

Our last chapter left us rejoicing in success, but how soon did deepest sorrow take its place. A dream seemed sent to prepare me for the severe ordeal so near at hand. I thought...

38. Chapter 38

Our last chapter contains the dark side of our picture. In this we present the brighter prospects for a long and sorely oppressed race. We first note what has been and is being...

35. Chapter 35

After my return my health gave way, as did also that of our worthy agent, Catherine Taylor. She endured great suffering from inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and was entirely...

10. Chapter 10

Cairo--Incidents Preparatory to Removing Freedmen's Camp to Island No. 10--Death of a Child--Disbursing Supplies and other Mission Work on the Island--Story of Uncle Stephen--Ho...

9. Chapter 9

Escape of a Slave Family of Six--A Slave Man Travels for a White Man and Succeeds--Trip to Arkansas--The Story of George Wilson--The Slave-daughter under Mortgage Released by he...

12. Chapter 12

Mission Work in New Orleans--Soldiers and Prisoners Visited on Ship Island--Petition of Seventy Soldier Prisoners in behalf of Three Thousand of their Fellow Prisoners--Appeal i...

5. Chapter 5

Two Slave Families Escape--Story of George and James--A Mother and Daughter Leave a Boat bound for the Lower Market--Sarah and two Young Men join our Party--Seven are Conducted...

17. Chapter 17

Work for the Asylum--Again in Washington--Mission Work--Trial of Henry Wirtz--Inspecting Soup-houses--Incidents connected with Kendal Green Camp--Peremptory Order of J. R. Shiph...

8. Chapter 8

Mission Among the Fugitives in Canada--Religious Revival--Organization of a Christian Union Church--Efforts of Missourians to Retake the Fugitive Slave, William Anderson, from C...

11. Chapter 11

Organized Freedmen's Relief Association--Solicit Supplies--Academic Year Opened for 1863-4--Sister Backus and Self leave for Fields of Suffering--Incidents on the Way--Mission W...

3. Chapter 3

Baptist Deacon Convicted of the Sin of Slavery by his Slave--Willis Hamilton's Escape with his Slave-wife, Elsie, to Canada--Removal to Michigan--Whereabouts Discovered by Elsie...

16. Chapter 16

Board of Directors Arrange for Closing the Home--Discouragements--Relief Comes by Sleigh-loads--Encouragements--Petitions to the State Legislature to make the Home a State Insti...

19. Chapter 19

15. Chapter 15

A Soldier Prisoner--Interesting Statistics--Schools--Plantations--Incidents--Return to Washington--Return Home with Fifteen Orphans and Fifty Laborers--Change in Orphan Asylum--...

13. Chapter 13

6. Chapter 6

4. Chapter 4

7. Chapter 7

18. Chapter 18

1. Chapter 1

14. Chapter 14

2. Chapter 2