Our Nig; or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black (1859) is an
autobiographical novel by Harriet E. Wilson. Published anonymously, Our
Nig; or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black is considered the first
novel by an African American to be published in North America, having
been rediscovered by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in 1981. Based on
Wilson's own experience as a free black forced into indentured servitude
in New Hampshire, the novel critiques the racism and indifference of
white Northerners and abolitionists who claim to oppose slavery while
upholding prejudice and injustice against African Americans.
Abandoned by her white mother following the death of her father, a free
black man, Frado is raised as an indentured servant on the Bellmont
farm. The Bellmonts, a middle-class family, initially believe Frado has
been dropped off by her mother for the day, but when Mag fails to appear
for several days, they realize the girl has been left in their care.
Unwilling to raise her as one of their own, the Bellmonts immediately
put her to work in their kitchen. Although she is treated kindly by
their son Jack, Frado is frequently beaten by Mrs. Bellmont, who resents
having the young mixed-race girl in her house and sees her work as an
intrusion on her own housekeeping duties. Suffering under Mrs.
Bellmont's abuses, Frado longs to escape.
With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript,
this edition of Harriet E. Wilson's Our Nig; or Sketches from the Life
of a Free Black is a classic of African American literature reimagined
for modern readers.
