Grandmother

Benjamin

Benjamin is the grandmother's son, and they share a close, protective bond.

Mrs. Flint

Grandmother and Mrs. Flint are adversaries, with Mrs. Flint resentful of Grandmother's moral authority and independence.

Linda Brent

Grandmother is Linda's maternal grandmother, a source of love, guidance, and protection.

Ellen

Ellen is Grandmother's granddaughter, and Grandmother cares for her deeply despite the dangers of slavery.

Dr. Flint

Dr. Flint and Grandmother are locked in a power struggle, as he tries to control Linda and she resists his authority.

Phil

Phil is Grandmother's son, and she maintains a caring but strained relationship with him due to his weaknesses.

Young Mr. Flint

Young Mr. Flint is Grandmother's enslaver after his father's death, and she must navigate his erratic and cruel authority.

William

William is Grandmother's son, and she is deeply invested in his well-being and freedom.

Mr. Sands

Grandmother and Mr. Sands have a tense, transactional relationship as she negotiates for her family's welfare with him.

Aunt Martha

Aunt Martha is Grandmother's sister, and they share a close, supportive sibling bond.

Linda Brent

Grandmother is Linda's maternal grandmother, a source of love, guidance, and protection.

Ellen

Ellen is Grandmother's granddaughter, and Grandmother cares for her deeply despite the dangers of slavery.

Seven Years Concealed

Provides shelter and support for Linda during her concealment, risking her own safety to protect her granddaughter.

Childhood

Maternal grandmother, a remarkable woman who worked tirelessly to purchase her children and provided Linda with many comforts.

The New Master and Mistress

Nearly sold at auction but freed by a kind elderly woman; supports Linda with food and comfort.

The Slave Who Dared to Feel Like a Man

Mistress of a snug home; devoutly religious; labors to free Benjamin and visits him in jail at midnight.

V: The Trials of Girlhood

Linda longs to confide in her but fears her strictness and the consequences of revealing Dr. Flint's behavior; her presence offers some protection.

VI: The Jealous Mistress

Suspicious of Linda's situation, tries to buy her but is refused by Dr. Flint.

VII: The Lover

Linda confides partially in her, but fears revealing the full truth; grandmother is opposed to escape plans due to past trauma with Benjamin.

X: A Perilous Passage in the Slave Girl's Life

Rejects Linda upon learning of her pregnancy, tearing her mother's ring and thimble from her fingers and ordering her to leave.

XI: The New Tie to Life

Interviews Mr. Sands about the child; provides a home for Linda after the birth.

Fear of Insurrection

Her home is searched; she bravely defends her possessions against the soldiers' accusations of theft.

Another Link to Life

Linda's grandmother tries to defend her from Dr. Flint's violence and arranges for the secret christening of Linda's children at church.

XV: Continued Persecutions

Grandmother courageously confronts Dr. Flint, ordering him out of her house and defending Linda.

Scenes at the Plantation

Linda sends Ellen back to her grandmother for care after the child falls ill on the plantation.

XVII: The Flight

Linda's grandmother is deeply distressed by the flight and is forced to take responsibility for the children to keep them from Dr. Flint.

XVIII: Months of Peril

Anxiously receives Dr. Flint's threats and works with others to protect Linda.

XIX: The Children Sold

Grandmother faints when she sees the children in the trader's cart, but later rejoices when they are returned. She prays in thanksgiving and confronts Dr. Flint about his threats.

XX: New Perils

Receives news of uncle Phillip's arrest and later provides a hiding place for Linda.

XXI: The Loophole of Retreat

Provides Linda with food, bedding, warm drinks, and herbal remedies; visits her at the trapdoor in darkness.

Christmas Festivities

Invites the constable and a free colored man to search the house, using the pretense of Christmas hospitality to allay suspicion.

Still in Prison

Breaks down under the weight of anxiety and toil, falls critically ill, and is visited reluctantly by Mrs. Flint; eventually recovers.

XXIV: The Candidate for Congress

Grandmother helps Linda return to her hiding place, expressing concern but also compassion for Linda's actions.

Competition in Cunning

Distressed by Linda's plan but supports her; listens to Dr. Flint's fabricated letter and fears for Linda's safety.

Important Era in My Brother’s Life

Grieves William's departure; prepares a welcome dinner that goes uneaten; later receives comfort from Aggie.

New Destination for the Children

Acts as intermediary between Linda and Mr. Sands, negotiating the children's fate and facilitating the secret meeting.

XXVIII: Aunt Nancy

Nancy's mother, who despite years of cruel treatment, is granted permission to watch at her daughter's deathbed and insists on burying her in the slave graveyard.

Preparations for Escape

Linda's grandmother is initially terrified of the escape plan due to fears of capture and violence, but eventually supports it after persuasion from Uncle Phillip.

The Meeting of Mother and Daughter

Mentioned as the former neighbor of Sarah's mother, connecting Linda to her past community.

The Old Enemy Again

Holds legal ownership of Linda's children; sends Benjamin north; is mentioned as longing for Linda's return.

Free at Last

Remembered fondly; she lived to rejoice in Linda's freedom but has since passed away.