Slave Narrative of Fanny Smith Hodges
Fanny Smith Hodges, a former slave from Berglundtown, Mississippi, recounts her experiences under the ownership of Hiram Cassedy. Despite the harshness of slavery, Hodges describes Cassedy as relatively kind, providing for slaves and forbidding excessive punishment. She worked as a maid for his daughter, maintaining a bond with fellow slaves through music and community. Post-Civil War, she transitioned to wage labor and faced hardships, yet found solace in church. Now elderly and battling cancer, she relies on a small pension and occasional washing work for survival.