Geo. Shelby is forced to sell his faithful old slave, Tom, and the infant son of Eliza Harris, in order to save his property from Haley, the slave trader and holder of the mortgage. Eliza hearing she is to be separated from her baby makes her escape to join her husband, George Harris, who with Vance, were well on their way to freedom. Learning of the departure, Haley immediately puts the hounds on her trail. The searching party arrives on the river bank in time to see Eliza leaping over the broken ice, upon which the dogs and men feared to tread. A second party is organized by lawyer Marks, but fails to capture the fugitive, who has been befriended by a kindly Quaker and has in the meantime joined her husband. During the sail to Haley's plantation Tom's attention from his Bible is attracted by the cry of "Overboard." Making a bold rush, this wonderful old man leaps into the water and brings little Eva St. Clair, who had wandered from her Aunt and fallen overboard, to safety. This noble deed caused his purchase by St. Clair, who treated him with every kindness, making him a companion for his small daughter Eva, who joyed in Uncle Tom's explanation of the Bible. Sadness finally comes when little Eva dies and a second calamity when her father is killed while separating two roughs in a quarrel. This necessitates the sale of his slaves and property. Uncle Tom falls into the hands of Simon Legree, the most brutal slave owner of the South. His life here is simply a matter of how long it can last under the terrible strain and treatment he receives. The final blow came when Legree's housekeeper, Casey, and his favorite slave, Emmeline, escape during one of his debauches. Going to Tom, he demanded to know their whereabouts. Being unable to give this information, Tom is flogged and cast into a corner to die. Young Shelby, now a man, searches the South to fulfill his youthful promise to buy Tom. He reaches the little hut just in time to cheer the dying hour of his old slave, who has just enough life left to show his gratitude.