Slave Narrative of Menellis Gassaway
Menellis Gassaway, interviewed in 1937, recounts his childhood in Carroll County, Maryland, born around 1850 or 52. He describes his family’s small farm, where they grew crops like corn and wheat and kept a few livestock. Gassaway recalls the relative friendliness of white people towards his family and notes that they were not subjected to harsh treatment or the sale of slaves. Education was lacking in his family, and health issues were managed with homemade remedies.