Method North Carolina

Slave Narrative of Elbert Hunter

Elbert Hunter, born in 1844 on a plantation near Raleigh, North Carolina, recounts his experiences as a slave. He describes the benevolence of his master, Jacob Hunter, and young Massa Knox, who protected his family from patterollers. Hunter shares memories of work, family life, and the arrival of the Union Army during the Civil War, which disrupted their lives. Although he acknowledges the hardships of slavery, he expresses relief at gaining freedom. Hunter also notes the harsh realities of post-slavery punishment he witnessed.

Slave Narrative of John Coggin

John Coggin, born March 1, 1852, in Orange County, North Carolina, recounts his experiences as a slave during an interview with Mary A. Hicks. He describes his life under the care of a kind master, working alongside fellow slaves, and recalls the arrival of Union soldiers, which caused widespread fear. After the war, Coggin’s family relocated to Raleigh, where they continued farming. He reflects on the changes that have come since emancipation, noting that younger generations possess more sense than he did in his youth.