Uncle Tom’s Cabin: who's who, timeline and places

Everyone in Uncle Tom’s Cabin, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.

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TomTom is an enslaved man whom Mr. Shelby praises for honesty and religious faith.First seen in chapter 1
ElizaEliza is Harry’s mother, whom Mrs. Shelby assures that her son is not for sale.First seen in chapter 1
HarryHarry is Eliza’s son, whom Haley demands alongside Tom in a bargain with Mr. Shelby.First seen in chapter 1
Mr. ShelbyMr. Shelby negotiates with Haley to sell Tom and cover a debt.First seen in chapter 1
Mrs. ShelbyMrs. Shelby reassures Eliza about Harry without knowing about her husband’s financial troubles.First seen in chapter 1
HaleyHaley is a trader who demands Harry alongside Tom as payment for Mr. Shelby’s debt.First seen in chapter 1
George HarrisGeorge Harris is Eliza’s enslaved husband, whose master resents his skill and removes him from factory work.First seen in chapter 2
George ShelbyGeorge Shelby helps Tom practice writing and agrees to read at the cabin’s religious meeting.First seen in chapter 4
EvaEva is a compassionate child who befriends Tom during their river journey.First seen in chapter 14
St. ClareSt. Clare is Eva’s father, who buys Tom after Tom saves her from the river.First seen in chapter 14
Miss Ophelia St. ClareMiss Ophelia St. Clare is Augustine’s orderly cousin, recruited to help with his household.First seen in chapter 15
TopsyTopsy is a child bought from abusive owners and placed under Miss Ophelia’s care.First seen in chapter 20
Mr. LegreeMr. Legree is a buyer who purchases Tom and Emmeline at auction.First seen in chapter 30
CassyCassy is a skilled cotton picker who helps Tom and warns him against showing compassion.First seen in chapter 33

Chapter 1
Mr. Shelby negotiates to sell Tom, while Haley demands that Harry be included in the bargain.
Chapter 2
George Harris’s master removes him from factory work because he resents George’s skill and confidence.
Chapter 5
Eliza overhears plans to sell Harry and escapes with him, while Tom refuses to flee.
Chapter 7
With Haley pursuing her, Eliza carries Harry across floating river ice and receives help on the opposite bank.
Chapter 9
Eliza’s arrival moves Senator Bird to help her escape despite his support for a law against aiding fugitives.
Chapter 10
Haley takes Tom away from his family, and George catches up to give him a concealed dollar.
Chapter 12
Haley separates families through purchases and sales, and Lucy dies in the river after losing her baby.
Chapter 13
Eliza reunites with George Harris at the Hallidays’ home, where their hosts accept the risks of protecting them.
Chapter 14
Tom rescues Eva from the river, and her father buys him at her urging.
Chapter 17
George Harris and his companions resist armed pursuers, then carry the wounded Tom Loker to safety.
Chapter 20
St. Clare places Topsy under Miss Ophelia’s care, but her teaching methods struggle to reach the abused child.
Chapter 21
Aunt Chloe proposes earning wages toward Tom’s freedom, and Mrs. Shelby agrees to save her earnings.
Chapter 24
Seriously ill, Eva tells her father she expects to die and asks him to free Tom.
Chapter 26
Eva gives the servants locks of her hair, urges them toward Christian faith, and dies among the grieving household.
Chapter 28
St. Clare begins steps to free Tom, but a fatal stabbing interrupts his plans.
Chapter 33
Tom refuses Legree’s command to whip Lucy, and Legree orders a severe beating.
Chapter 34
Cassy tends Tom’s wounds and describes the loss of her children and the suffering that drives her despair.
Chapter 37
George Harris, Eliza, and Harry use disguises to evade capture and reach Canada by boat.
Chapter 39
Cassy and Emmeline draw pursuers away, return unseen, and hide in the attic.
Chapter 40
Tom refuses to reveal the women’s hiding place, suffers a brutal beating, and forgives his attackers.
Chapter 41
George Shelby finds Tom dying, comforts him, and vows after his burial to work against slavery.
Chapter 43
Cassy reunites with Eliza, and George Harris later takes his family to Africa after studying in France.
Chapter 44
George Shelby frees everyone enslaved on the estate and offers paid work without requiring anyone to leave.
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