The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a sweeping tale that chronicles the life of a resilient woman who witnesses over a century of American history, from the end of slavery to the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. Set against the rural backdrop of Louisiana, the novel intricately weaves personal struggles with historical events. Framed by the perspective of a high school history teacher, the narrative endeavors to illuminate history's impact on real lives through Miss Jane Pittman's experiences.

The War Years

In the opening segment of the novel, a Union Army corporal arrives at the plantation where young "Ticey," later known as Jane, is enslaved. She is given the name "Jane Brown," a nod to the corporal’s own daughter, a name she proudly adopts in defiance of her slave identity. Following the Civil War's conclusion, Jane, alongside other newly freed slaves, attempts a journey northward.

Their trek soon encounters hostility in the form of "patrollers," vigilante groups charged with capturing runaway slaves. These patrollers brutally attack the group, leaving only Jane and a boy named Ned as survivors. Despite being just a few years older, Jane assumes a maternal role over Ned, equipping them with food and fire-starting tools as they persist in their quest.

Although their ambition is to reach Ohio, Jane and Ned never cross Louisiana’s borders. Along their journey, they encounter a variety of people, some offering aid while others are less hospitable. A conversation with a hunter encapsulates their struggle:

"Who was them other people you seen?" I asked him. "Any of them going to Ohio?"

"They was going everywhere," he said. "Some say Ohio, some say Kansas—some say Canada. Some of them even said Luzana and Mi'sippi."

"Luzana and Mi'sippi ain't North," I said.

"That's right, it ain't North," the hunter said. "But they had left out just like you, a few potatoes and another old dress. No map, no guide, no nothing. Like freedom was a place coming to meet them half way. Well, it ain't coming to meet you. And it might not be there when you get there, either."

"We ain't giving up," I said. "We done gone this far."

Unable to continue, Jane and Ned ultimately find a temporary home on Mr. Bone’s plantation.

Reconstruction

During Reconstruction, Jane finds work clearing fields on Mr. Bone’s plantation and invests in Ned’s education. The brief improvement in their conditions is soon overshadowed by the rise of economic hardships and racist organizations. When Colonel Dye takes ownership, Jane grimly observes, "It was slavery again, all right."

Ned, inspired by his namesake Frederick Douglass, becomes an advocate for black resettlement in the North. As his activism grows, so does the danger, prompting his departure to Kansas. Meanwhile, Jane enters a common-law marriage with Joe Pittman and relocates with his daughters to Mr. Clyde's ranch.

Joe harbors a dangerous desire to tame a wild stallion, a pursuit Jane fears will lead to his demise. Her premonitions are confirmed after consulting a hoo-doo woman. In a desperate attempt to thwart this fate, Jane releases the stallion, yet the men, undeterred, give chase. Tragically, Joe meets his end during the pursuit. To honor Joe, Jane keeps the Pittman name and eventually settles near Bayonne.

Ned returns in 1899 as a teacher, inciting local ire with his speeches on black rights. His vocal activism makes him a target, leading to his assassination by Albert Cluveau, a killer employed by white supremacists. Cluveau later experiences debilitating visions, fearing Jane has cursed him, and dies in torment.

The Plantation

Even as Jane contemplates leaving her troubled past behind, she is persuaded...