The Early Life of Robert Smalls

Robert Smalls was born into slavery in 1839 in Beaufort, South Carolina, under incredibly difficult circumstances, with his mother, Lydia Polite, delivering him alone in a shack behind the family's house. Raised in the home of John McKee, Smalls experienced a somewhat unique upbringing, as he was able to remain with his mother longer than many enslaved children. This close maternal bond allowed him to receive love and nurturing, influencing his early awareness of the injustices surrounding him, particularly his inability to access education. Smalls’s rebellious spirit often led him to challenge the restrictions imposed on him, creating a profound longing for freedom that would shape his future actions.