Frado is a lively and strong-willed girl living in antebellum New Hampshire. Following her father's passing, her impoverished mother abandons her at the wealthy Bellmont home, thrusting the young child into forced indentured servitude. Despite suffering severe physical and emotional abuse at the hands of the deeply prejudiced Mrs. Bellmont, Frado maintains a resilient and occasionally mischievous spirit. She gradually seeks religious instruction to understand her own worth in a hostile society.

The harsh, domineering matriarch of the Bellmont family. Materialistic and intensely controlling, she uses Frado's race to justify subjecting the young girl to brutal physical punishments and endless labor. She claims to be a respectable, pious woman but actively attempts to block Frado from receiving religious instruction, fearing it will make the girl realize her independence. Her cruelty extends beyond her servants to her own family members, whose lives she attempts to micromanage.

The gentle, religiously devout older son of the Bellmonts. In stark contrast to his mother and sister Mary, James treats Frado with kindness and insists on her equal treatment, frequently inviting her to dine at the family table. He takes a profound interest in Frado's spiritual well-being, sharing his belief in a racially just heaven to instill a crucial sense of hope in the young girl.

Frado's white mother, who suffers extreme poverty and social ostracization after giving birth to a child out of wedlock. Isolated and desperate, she marries a kind Black man named Jim for financial and emotional survival. After Jim passes away, severe destitution pushes her to abandon young Frado at the Bellmont household to ensure her own survival.

Mr. Bellmont's sister, who resides near the household and frequently observes the domestic cruelty. She is a compassionate, religious woman who pities Frado and attempts to mitigate the abuse whenever possible. She works closely with James to guide Frado's spiritual education, secretly taking the girl to evening church services against Mrs. Bellmont's strict orders.

The patriarch of the Bellmont family. He is generally kinder to Frado than his wife is, but he remains largely passive and reluctant to intervene against Mrs. Bellmont's tyrannical rule. He occasionally steps in to prevent the worst abuses or to support his children's choices, yet he mostly retreats from domestic conflicts to avoid his wife's temper.

The cruel and deeply prejudiced daughter of the Bellmonts. She closely mirrors her mother's sadistic tendencies, taking great pleasure in tormenting Frado both physically and emotionally. Deeply ashamed of being associated with a mixed-race girl, she actively encourages other children to bully Frado at school and seizes any opportunity to cause harm.

One of the Bellmont sons. He treats Frado with basic human decency and occasionally defends her against his mother and sister's false accusations. He gifts Frado her beloved dog, Fido, providing her with a rare source of comfort before he leaves home to find work in the West.

A daughter of the Bellmonts who does not share the cruel disposition of her mother and sister Mary. She acts as a quiet ally to Frado in the house. She resists her mother's intense materialistic pressures regarding marriage, preferring a gentle, compassionate man over a wealthy but cold suitor.

A kind-hearted Black man who offers to support and marry Mag Smith when the white community completely shuns her. He genuinely cares for Mag and provides a stable, loving home for their family during their first few years of marriage, offering a brief period of peace before illness strikes.

A former business partner of Jim who becomes Mag's companion. When the family faces severe destitution, it is Seth who coldly insists they must give six-year-old Frado away to lighten their burden, reasoning that her light complexion will make her acceptable to white employers.

A Black man who tours the country giving lectures as a professed fugitive from slavery. He becomes romantically involved with Frado, though his demanding work on the abolitionist lecture circuit keeps him frequently absent during her times of need.

A kind and fair-minded schoolteacher who intervenes when Mary Bellmont encourages students to taunt Frado. She firmly reminds her class to treat Frado with respect, temporarily establishing a safe classroom environment.

A boarder living with Jim. His inquisitive probing into Jim's private, spoken thoughts inadvertently pushes Jim to solidify his decision to propose to Mag.

A wealthy but cold and materialistic family friend who seeks to marry Jane. He is heavily favored by Mrs. Bellmont solely because of his financial status, despite Jane's strong reservations.

A kind, gentle man whose sincere affection for Jane starkly contrasts with Henry Reed's coldness. Despite Mrs. Bellmont's fierce opposition, he pursues Jane's hand in marriage.

Jack's wife, who quickly becomes the target of Mrs. Bellmont's vicious sabotage. Because she lacks wealth, Mrs. Bellmont despises her and attempts to destroy her marriage through intercepted letters and false rumors.

A kind woman who offers Frado employment and a place to live once she is finally free of the Bellmont household. She later takes Frado back in after other living situations fail.

A deceitful woman who takes an adult, ailing Frado into her home purely for state compensation. She maliciously attempts to ruin Frado's reputation by spreading rumors that her illness is entirely faked.

A loyal dog gifted to Frado by Jack. Fido serves as one of Frado's few true comforts in the abusive Bellmont household and reliably tracks her down when she flees from punishment.