Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

Fanny and Harriet were rowed to a wharf, where the captain spoke to “a respectable-looking colored man behind [her]” about New York trains (238). The man, Reverend Jeremiah Durham, was a minister in the Bethel church. After telling Fanny and Harriet that they were too late for the morning trains, Reverend Durham suggested Fanny could wait for a future train in a neighbor’s home, while Harriet could remain with the Durhams. The sailors bade the women goodbye.

Mrs. Durham greeted Harriet warmly. Harriet told Mr. Durham that she had two children—one in New York and one in the South. Mr. Durham hoped he could be of further service. An abolitionist friend of the Durhams from the Anti-Slavery Society was visiting and wanted to meet Harriet. The friend asked Harriet about her plans and offered help. The Anti-Slavery Society had paid Fanny’s fare to New York; they offered Harriet the same funding, but she refused, due to having her grandmother’s money. The friend advised her to remain in Philadelphia for a few days until they found a proper escort for her and Fanny.

That night, Harriet jumped up at the sound of fire bells. In the South, a fire alarm alerted slaves to make arrangements to extinguish the fire.