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Ex-slave Angeline Lester, about 90, Ohio, Remembers being told she was free...
Angeline related that after the war a celebration was held in Benevolence. Georgia; and Angeline said it was here she first tested a roasted piece of meat...The following Sunday, the negroes were...
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President Thomas Jefferson & Slavery
Thomas Jefferson by Charles Peale PolkThomas Jefferson inherited many slaves. His wife brought a dowry of more than 100 slaves, & he purchased many more throughout his life. At some periods of...
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Ex-slave Lucindy Lawrence Jurdon, abt 79, Alabama, Remembers if slaves tried...
About slavery in the 19C, Lucindy said, "My mother was a fine weaver and did the work for both white and colled, this is her old spinning wheel and hit can still be used. I do some times now. Us made...
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The Laborer's Refreshment
The Laborer's Refreshment by Mary Lyde Hicks Williams.Ā Ā Mary Lyde Hicks Williams (1866-1959) Mary's paintings of freed slaves reflected daily life she saw on her uncle's plantation during...
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Ex-slave Ellen Thomas, about 89, Remembers serving dinner blindfolded in 19C...
Ellen said that her training as a house servant was very broad and involved every feature of a well kept household of that period. She has special pride in her ability to serve at table, particularly...
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The African American Nanny after the Civil War - Paintings & Photos
Lee Greene Richards (1878ā1950) Nanny Holding a Baby 1911While browsing the blog American Gallery, I was stopped short by the painting above.Ā I would have expected the painting to be done by a...
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Ex-slave Julia Williams Wadsworth Remembers the day she was freed in 19C America
Julia declared, "On de plantation where I work day had a great big horn blow every mornin to get de slaves up to de field, I allus get up soon after it blew, most allways, but this mornin dey blew de...
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Former slave Catherine Ferguson 1774-1854 devotes her life to neglected...
When former slave Catherine Ferguson, a New York City woman devoted to Christian educationĀ & the care of orphans, died in 1854, her death prompted this obituary written by Lewis Tappan,Ā an eminent...
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Despite slavery, 19C African Americans continued to sing & dance
Dance, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1853 Lewis Miller, Sketchbook of Landscapes in the State of Virginia, 1853-1867. Lewis Miller, Sketchbook of Landscapes in the State of Virginia, 1853-1867.In the African...
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The role of slaves in the 18C & 19C American economy
Male & female Africans were captured & transported to theĀ Western HemisphereĀ to work. Ā Most European colonial economies in the Americas from the 16thĀ - 19th century were dependent on enslaved...
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Male & Female Slaves & the North Carolina Fishing Industry
In North Carolina & other coastal colonies, slavesĀ served as fishermen & fish processors for their owners.Ā Usually males fished, & females prepared the catch for market or export.Ā Between...
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Born a Slave - Clara Brown (1800-1885) Colorado
Clara Brown was born a slave in Virginia in 1800. At 9, she & her mother were sold into Kentucky. By 18, she married & then gave birth to 4 children. At 35, she was sold at auction &...
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Ex-slave Mary Ann Patterson, Texas, Remembers weaving, bear meat, & honey in...
Mary Ann remembered, "I helped wid de work in de 'loom room.' I had to do 'five cuts a day', but I was fast enough to make eight cuts a day. I made five cuts fo' de white folks and three fo'...
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Milk Churning
Milk Churning by Mary Lyde Hicks Williams.Ā Ā Mary Lyde Hicks Williams (1866-1959) Mary's paintings of freed slaves reflected daily life she saw on her uncle's plantation during Reconstruction in North...
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Ex-slave Laura Clark, about 87, Remembers being sold away from her mother in...
Larua remembered, "When I was 'bout six or seven years ole, I reckon hit 'twas, Mr. Garret...bought ten of us chillun in North Ca'lina and sent two white men, and one was Mr. Skinner, to fetch us back...
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Fighting for Equality - A personal look at determined American Women
I have noticed, while writing these blogs about the work of women in America beginning in the early 1700s, that I am particularly incensed that women did not get the right to vote in our democracy...
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Slaves Working
Mr. Eleazar Powel, Chippewa, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, who lived in Mississippi in 1836 and 1837. "The slaves had to cook and eat their breakfast and be in the field by daylight, and continue there...
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Slaves & Rice
SlavesĀ and Rice Cultivation inĀ South CarolinaThe intricate steps involved in planting, cultivating, harvesting, and preparing rice required an immense labor force employing both men and women. Planters...
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Hon. T. T. Bouldin, a slave-holder, and member of Congress from Virginia, in a speech in Congress, Feb. 16, 1835. Mr. Bouldin said "he knew that many negroes had died from exposure to weather,'' and...
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