Slave Narrative of Cyrus Bellus
Cyrus Bellus, born in 1865 in Jefferson County, Mississippi, shares his experiences as a child of enslaved parents who belonged to David Hunt. He recalls the harshness of slave labor, including cotton picking and weaving, while describing the limited provisions allocated to families. After emancipation, Bellus discusses how his family adapted to freedom, working in groups and sharecropping. He eventually moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where he transitioned to lumber grading. Now 73, he reflects on his life and current reliance on assistance.