Charlotte Forten - Diary of Charlotte Forten: A Free Black Girl Before the Civil War

Charlotte Forten recorded her first journal entry at the age of 16 in May 1854. Shehad recently left her fathers home in Pennsylvania to live and attend school inSalem, Massachusetts. This chance to learn in a public school was a rare opportunityfor a free African-American during the period of slavery.

In the 1850s most African-Americans living in the United States were slaves. Northernstates did not allow slavery but southern states did. Owners could treat their slavesas they wanted. Very few slaves received an education.

Charlotte grew up in the North with friends and family who spoke out against slavery.Her mother, Mary Virginia Forten, was a founding member of the Philadelphia FemaleAnti-Slavery Society. She died when Charlotte was 3 years old. Charlotte continuedto live with her father, Robert Forten, in the free state of Pennsylvania after hermother died. Charlottes father worked in the familys successful sailmaking businessand was an abolitionist .

Charlotte Fortens diary entry from July 23, 1863

In 1854 even free states and territories in the United States did not allow African-Americansto go to school with white students. Segregation forced free African-Americans toset up their own schools. Funds for these schools were limited. African-Americansoften struggled to pay for books and school supplies.

portrait of Charlotte Forten Grimke

Charlottes school in Salem taught African-American and white students together.She had the same chance as white students to receive a good education. Charlottelived with Charles and Amy Remond in Salem. Charles, the son of free black parents,was active in the movement against slavery. Amy was like Charlottes second mother.

Charlotte was more fortunate than most African-Americans of her time. She receiveda good education. Friends and family inspired Charlotte to use her knowledge to helpother African-Americans. Charlottes own words tell about her struggles as a freeAfrican-American in the 1800s.

abolitionista person who worked to end slavery

segregationthe act or practice of keeping people or groups apart from one another

Rose at five. The sun was shining brightly through my window, and I felt vexed withmyself that he should have risen before me; I shall not let him have that advantageagain very soon. How bright and beautiful are these May mornings! The air is so pureand balmy, the trees are in full blossom, and the little birds sing sweetly. I standby the window listening to their music, but suddenly remember that I have an Arithmeticlesson which employes me until breakfast; then to school, recited my lessons and commenced my journal. After dinner practised a music lesson, did some sewing, andthen took a pleasant walk by the water. I stood for some time admiring the wavesas they rose and fell, sparkling in the sun, and could not help envying a party ofboys who were enjoying themselves in a sailing boat. On my way home, I stopped atMrs. [Caroline] Putmans and commenced reading Hard Times, a new story by [Charles]Dickens ... I anticipate to much pleasure in reading this story.Saw some agreeablefriends ... prepared tea, and spent the evening in writing.

Charlottes diary entries appear word for word as they were written, whenever possible.Because the diary appears in its original form, you will notice misspellings andmistakes in grammar. To make Charlottes meaning clear, in some instances, correctionsor explanations within a set of brackets follow the mistakes. Sometimes text hasbeen removed from the diary entries. In these cases, you will notice three dots ina row, which are called ellipses. Ellipses show that words or sentences are missingfrom the text.

the harbor in Salem, Massachusetts, around 1870

vexto annoy or irritate commenceto begin something

Did not intend to write this evening, but have just heard of something that is worthrecording ... Another fugitive [Anthony Burns] from bondage has been arrested; apoor man, who for two short months has trod the soil and breathed the air of theOld Bay State, [Massachusetts] was arrested like a criminal in the streets of hercapital, and is now kept strictly guarded,a double police force is required, themilitary are in readiness; and all this is done to prevent a man, whom God has createdin his own image, from regaining that freedom with which, he, in common with everyother human being, is endowed . I can only hope and pray most earnestly that Bostonwill not again disgrace herself by sending him back to a bondage worse than death;or rather that she will redeem herself from the disgrace which his arrest alone hasbrought upon her. The weather is gloomy and my feelings correspond with it ...

Runaway slave Anthony Burns was captured in Boston, as shown in this illustrationfrom the 1850s.

This drawing of Anthony Burns was used on the title page of the book The Boston SlaveRiot, and Trial of Anthony Burns , published in 185.

fugitivesomeone who is running away from the police

bondageto keep a person as a slave

endowto provide a quality or talent

earnestserious