Slave Narrative of Ben Brown
Ben Brown, interviewed at age 100 in Zanesville, Ohio, recounts his life as a slave in Virginia and Alabama. He describes the harsh conditions of plantation life, including hard labor, meager meals, and frequent punishment. Brown reflects on the separation from his sister, attempts to escape, and eventual freedom during the Civil War. Afterward, he worked various jobs, including on the railroad, married, and faced injuries. Despite a difficult past, he finds comfort in his current life and cherishes music and memories of resilience.