Barnwell South Carolina

Slave Narrative of Robert Toatley

Robert Toatley, born on May 15, 1855, in South Carolina, reflects on his life from slavery to prosperity. He recalls a happy childhood spent with the white children of his plantation, where he experienced both camaraderie and hardship. Despite facing adversity, including the boll weevil’s impact on his farm, Toatley has maintained ownership of his land and raised a large family. His narrative includes details of the brutality of slavery and the societal changes following the Civil War, illustrating a life marked by resilience and adaptation.

Slave Narrative of Harriett Gresham

Harriett Gresham, born in 1838, shared her experiences as a slave on Edmond Bellinger’s plantation in Barnwell, South Carolina, during an interview at 98 years old. She recalls a relatively carefree childhood, working alongside her family’s labor in the big house. Harriett reflects on the Civil War’s impacts, including the anxiety surrounding Fort Sumter and the eventual news of freedom. Post-war, she married Gaylord Jeannette, a Union soldier. Now living in Jacksonville, Florida, she reminisces fondly about her past while engaging with her granddaughter and others.