noads
Slave Narrative of Maria S. Clemments (Clements)
Maria Sutton Clemments, recalling her life from her childhood in Lincoln County, Georgia, recounts her experiences as a enslaved person before and after the Civil War. She describes the harsh labor conditions, the looming threat of sale, and the emotional toll of family separations. Freedom arrived unceremoniously, and she describes the struggle to adapt in a land stripped of resources. After the war, she faced hardship, poverty, and the racial violence of the Ku Klux Klan. Despite her challenges, she remains resilient, relying on faith and community support.
Slave Narrative of Carl Boone
Carl Boone, born in 1850 in Marion County, Kentucky, recounts his family’s legacy from slavery. His father gained freedom in 1829, and Boone was born a free man fifteen years before the Civil War’s end. Now residing in Anderson, Indiana, at 87, he reflects on his life, recounting both the kindness of his father’s master and the severe mistreatment of other slaves. Boone’s narrative includes harrowing tales of brutality on neighboring plantations, highlighting the stark realities of slavery and its enduring impact on his family.
Slave Narrative of Wayne Holliday
Wayne Holliday, born in 1853 in Aberdeen, Mississippi, reflects on his life as a former slave and railroad worker. His family belonged to the Holliday plantation, where they lived comfortably and were treated kindly. Holliday recalls his childhood, playing with both Black and white children, and describes his parents’ roles and his father’s skills as a carpenter. After the Civil War, he worked on the I.C. Railroad, raised a family, and sent his children to school, expressing gratitude for their success and his peaceful memories.
Slave Narrative of William Williams
William Williams was born into slavery on April 14, 1857, in Caswell County, North Carolina. He learned his father’s identity, Thomas Williams, only after the Civil War. Sold at age three, he remembered little of slave life, although his father was a cobbler. After the war, both parents worked small farms while he undertook various jobs. Williams recounted the harsh conditions of slavery, including lack of education, poor living standards, and strict overseers, and later migrated to Canton, Ohio, where he has lived since 1884.
Slave Narrative of Annie Hawkins
Annie Hawkins, a 90-year-old former slave from Colbert, Oklahoma, recounts her harrowing experiences of slavery, marked by cruelty and hardship under her master, Dave Giles. She describes the relentless labor, abuse, and the meanness of both her master and mistress, including severe punishment inflicted on her family. Despite harsh conditions, she recalls moments of relief, like attending church. After the war, she felt overwhelming joy upon gaining freedom. Hawkins shares the loss of her husbands and children, highlighting a life of resilience amidst suffering.
Slave Narrative of Eustace Hodges
Eustace Hodges recounts his life as a slave, initially belonging to McGee in Wake County before being sold to Rufus Jones, who treated them better. He notes the changes brought by the Civil War, including his mother’s reduced labor after giving birth. Hodges describes leisure time allowed by Jones and an incident involving the overseer. After the war, the family remained on Jones’s plantation until 1898, then moved to Raleigh. He reflects on his mother’s current health following a stroke.
Slave Narrative of Zeb Crowder
Zeb Crowder, interviewed by T. Pat Matthews, reflects on his life as an enslaved person and his experiences post-emancipation. He recalls the kindness of his former masters, particularly Miss Melvina, and shares memories of his childhood, including fishing and hunting. Crowder describes his limited rations from charity and work for white neighbors, highlighting the absence of formal education during slavery. He expresses nostalgia for the past, mentioning family ties and the community’s resilience, while noting challenges faced from entities like the Ku Klux Klan.
Slave Narrative of Mariah Callaway
Mariah Callaway was born on the James H. Willis plantation, not the Callaway plantation, as some articles have inaccurately reported. In an interview, Callaway recounted her experiences of slavery, recalling her early life under the Willis family, who, she stated, were kind to their slaves. She described the plantation’s practices, including the provision of food and clothing, as well as the community events that took place. Throughout the discussion, Callaway emphasized the significance of religion in their lives and the effects of the Civil War on the plantation.
Slave Narrative of Young Winston Davis
Young Winston Davis, born June 28, 1855, in Ozark, Alabama, reflects on his experiences as a slave on a wealthy plantation. He recounts the treatment of slaves, including harsh punishments and the separation of families, alongside some degree of kindness from his master. Davis shares memories of daily life, including cooking, healthcare using herbs, and the lack of education opportunities. After emancipation, he engaged in politics and became a preacher, later settling in Jacksonville, Florida, where he married in 1935.
Slave Narrative of Willis Dukes
Willis Dukes, an 83-year-old former slave, recounts his life on a plantation in Brooks County, Georgia, where he was born. He describes a moderate lifestyle under a master who was not cruel but maintained strict labor expectations. Dukes remembers the limited food, clothing made on-site, and household tasks he performed as a child. He shares anecdotes of ambition for freedom sparked by a fellow slave’s escape, and his eventual migration to Florida, where he values his independence and life experiences.
Floyd County Kentucky: List of Slave Owners
The list of slave owners in Floyd County, Kentucky, as recounted by 94-year-old Civil War veteran T.J. Uncle Jeff Sizemore, includes individuals from various locales like Prestonsburg and Lanesville. The auction blocks for slaves were primarily in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, and Gladdville, Virginia. Slaves were often treated like domestic animals, with families frequently separated. Wealthy families, including sportsmen like Adam Gayheart, employed slaves for various tasks, while the dialect of the local population reflects influences from both white and black communities.