Accessible Archives Inc.

We have a surprise for our readers for Black History Month.  We will be publishing an entire book on our blog over the course of February.

We recently added a book by Sarah H. Bradford titled Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman.  We are going to be presenting this entire book in serial form over the course of February.

The book contains these sections:

This special event makes a great extra credit project for history teachers or a simple way for anyone to expand their knowledge of Harriet Tubman and her life over the course of Black History Month.

Check back every day for a new installment in this compelling story of passion, courage, and perseverance as we explore Harriet Tubman’s life every day of the month.

The American Library Association Midwinter Meeting is upon us.  Exhibitors, authors, and attendees are descending on Dallas for the January 20-24, 2011 event.

With over 430 exhibiting organizations and the PopTop stage featuring the hottest authors, the exhibit hall floor will be an exciting place this year.

If you are going to be at ALA Midwinter, be sure stop by the Accessible Archives booth to ask about a demo or just say hello.  We are in booth 1805 and easy to find at the end of a row.

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This month we have given all of our subscribers access to a new ebook - Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman by Sarah H. Bradford.  New subscribers, including personal subscribers, will also have access to this title.

This book about the life and accomplishments of Harriett Tubman was compiled while she was still alive and helped to raise money to help her live out her life after the end of the Civil War.

Like all of our full text materials this has been digitized and double-keyed to ensure 99%+ accuracy – far beyond that of a typical automated Optical  Character Recognition scan.

The introduction below was included in the original edition that we have provided for our subscribers.

Introduction

The following little story was written by Mrs. Sarah H. Bradford, of Geneva, with the single object of furnishing some help to the subject of the memoir. Harriet Tubman’s services and sufferings during the rebellion, which are acknowledged in the letters of Gen. Saxton, and others, it was thought by many, would justify the bestowment of a pension by the Government. But the difficulties in the way of procuring such relief, suggested other methods, and finally the present one.

The narrative was prepared on the eve of the author’s departure for Europe, where she still remains. It makes no claim whatever to literary merit. Her hope was merely that the considerably numerous public already in part acquainted with Harriet’s story, would furnish purchasers enough to secure a little fund for the relief of this remarkable woman. Outside that circle she did not suppose the memoir was likely to meet with much if any sale.

Harriet Tubman

In furtherance of the same benevolent scheme, and in order to secure the whole avails of the work for Harriet’s benefit, a subscription has been raised more than sufficient to defray the entire cost of publication. This has been effected by the generous exertions of Wm. G. Wise, Esq., of this city. The whole amount was contributed by citizens of Auburn, with the exception of two liberal subscriptions by Gerrit Smith, Esq., and Mr. Wendell Phillips.

Mr. Wise has also consented, at Mrs. Bradford’s request, to act as trustee for Harriet; and will receive, invest, and apply, for her benefit, whatever may accrue from the sale of this book.

The spirited wood-cut likeness of Harriet, in her costume as scout, was furnished by the kindness of Mr. J. C. Darby, of this city. S. M. H.

AUBURN, Dec. 1, 1868.

In the spirit of the season, we are gifting our customers with an important additional historical eBook. “Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman” was written by Sarah H. Bradford and published by W.J. Moses, Printer of Auburn, New York in 1869.

Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Harriet Ross to slave parents in 1820. She married around 1844 and changed her name to Harriet Tubman. In 1849, she escaped from her owners, was captured but quickly escaped again, making it to Philadelphia where she found work. She went on to become a leading abolitionist.

Harriet Tubman

By 1860, she had made over a dozen trips back to the south, making use of the Underground Railroad to bring over 70 slaves to freedom. She became friends with John Brown, conferring with him about his plans for Harpers Ferry.

Frederick Douglas wrote of her: “Excepting John Brown–of sacred memory–I know of no one who has willingly encountered more perils and hardships to serve our enslaved people than you have.”. During the Civil War, she worked as a cook, nurse and spy. She died in 1913 in Auburn, New York.

“Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman” is now accessible as part of your collections from Accessible Archives.

If you have not yet become a personal subscriber it is not too late.  New personal subscribers will also be given access to this volume.  Subscribe now for yourself or as a gift.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from Accessible Archives!

Most families have one.  You know who I mean.  They pour over birth and wedding records and old family Bibles.  They may corner you at family gatherings to ask about your great grandmother’s maiden name or where your great-great grandfather was born.

If you are lucky enough to have a hardworking and dedicated family historian or genealogist around why not reward their diligence and efforts with a personal subscription to the Accessible Archives databases.

Your gift of an annual subscription provides access to all of  our collections.  They can search  across everything at once, or just search within the specific publications or dates that they need.

Obtaining a subscription is fast and easy—just visit our personal subscription sign-up page. The cost is $59.95 annually and is payable with any credit or debit card, or via PayPal.

Accessible Archives gives that history buff in your life a window into early American history in the words of the people who lived it!