Page:Women of distinction.djvu/92

48 Sometimes historians review the lives and recount the deeds of certain members of their peculiar race with much timidity and regret. At other times some of them unfold and even maonifv the mistakes and inefficiencies of certain other less favored races, to the entire neglect and exclusion of any of their more important accomplishments.

It is in this light that the inhabitants of Africa, as well as Afro-Americans and all their direct relatives, have been held up to the world by some historians who are more zealous to draw a veil over our good deeds than they are ready to give credit for what the race has accomplished.

It is therefore a real pleasure, as well as a privilege, even at this late period of our country's history, to present in this short sketch a few of the important facts contained in the life of "Isabella," a once slave woman, of whom many of our women, both young and old, have never heard.

To hear of her trials, her difficulties, her embarrassments and her triumphs will be inspiring and encouraging to many of our young women.

She was possibly born some time between 1797 and 1800. Her parents were "James" and "Betsy," the slaves of a man of possibly Dutch descent, by the name