Mary Seacole was born British, in the colony of Jamaica, while the slave trade was still active. Slavery was abolished in Britain in 1833 with the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act, however, it was not until 1838 that Jamaican slaves truly gained their freedom. (This was before Mary Seacole was active in her efforts to help the soldiers in the Crimean War - and, therefore, before the events of the book.) The full title of the 1833 bill is “An Act for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Colonies; for promoting the Industry of the manumitted Slaves; and for compensating the Persons hitherto entitled to the Services of such Slaves.”