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On entering the home of a very refined dignified old lady of Van Buren, Arkansas, one is impressed with the age of
the well-preserved surroundings. Over the fireplace hangs an oil painting three feet square which is more than one
hundred years old. This is the picture of her grandfather who was a big slaveholder in Virginia. Some of the slaves
born on his plantation were sent to his son at Van Buren, and the early life of this estimable lady was greatly
influenced by them. Some of her earliest memories are the negro theology she learned from her black "Mammy."
According to her "Mammy," the Devil kept a tub of some molten mass placed on rocks over a fire and threw all bad
children into it. The Devil, a hideous looking character with horns, hoofs, and a tail, stood near the tub with a pitch
fork in his hand and if one of the children attempted to escape, he threw it back into the tub with the pitch fork. The
child's fears were allayed by telling her that children under seven years old were not held responsible for their
wrong doings, but that their parents were responsible for their conduct until they reached their seventh birthdays.
The child was very much disturbed and carried this information to her mother. The mother assured her that this was
only one of "Mammy's" says, but the little daughter came back with the inquiry as to whether the parents were
accountable for the behavior of small children. When the mother answered in the affirmative, the matter was
dismissed from the young mind. "Mammy" also told the youngster of her undoubted experience with witches. The
negro said that a woman who lived near her was bewitching her. Each night after she had retired and gone to sleep,
the witch would jump on her and ride her all night. This continued for a year and the negro growing thin and weak
was acquiring the resemblance of the witch. Finally a friend gave her the following remedy which released her from
the witch's power. Molasses, vinegar, water, and rusty nails were put into a jug and portions of it taken daily. The
negro was freed and soon regained her strength. The bond between this child, Betty Greene, who is now Mrs.
Quesnesberry, and her negro "Mammy" was very close. After the death of Betty's parents and the dissolution of the
Greene home, "Mammy" was hired by another family to cook. When Betty married the lady for whom "Mammy"
was working said, "I'll lose my cook," Mrs. Quesnesberry told her that she would not think of such a thing as taking
her servant from her, but the other lady replied that when she hired "Mammy," she told her that she would stay with
her until "Miss Betty" married and then she would go with her. "Mammy's" loyalty was put to a test at another time
when a gentleman from St. Louis was visiting in the Quesnesberry home. Complimentary to her cooking, the
gentleman told Mrs. Quesnesberry that he would like to have her cook. Mrs. Quesnesberry was sure that "Mammy"
wouldn't leave her but to show the negro's loyalty called, "Mammy, come here." This gentleman wants to hire you
and take you to St. Louis to work in his home. He can pay you much more than I and it would be a good place for
you." "Mammy" stood with her head down for a minute and then said, "I don't want to leave you, Miss Betty, to go
anywhere." She died in the Quesnesberry home. Referring to negro spirituals, Mrs. Quesnesberry said they were
close to her heart. A short time ago this aged lady was in the dusky room alone as the twilight was changing into
night. She turned on the radio and some voice was singing, "I'm Going Home." Her first thought was "That's
Mammy's song," and then she wondered if "Mammy" was singing that song in the Great Beyond, and she couldn't
keep back the tears. When she related the incident, her glasses had to be removed and her eyes rubbed. Mrs.
Quesnesberry remembers another incident connected with her father, Judge Greene, who was a very prominent
lawyer in the early days of Van Buren, and his loyal slaves. Mrs. Quesnesberry said that she was a small child and
had very little conception of numbers, but that it seemed to her that her father owned as many as one hundred slaves
and she was positive there were as many as fifty. During the Civil War, word came that the Federal army was
moving into the town. Judge Greene decided to take his slaves to Texas and they, with the stock, were set across the
Arkansas river late one afternoon where they were to await his coming the following morning. Judge Greene had
never been accustomed to driving, but since the negro horsemen were away it was necessary for him to do his own
driving. Taking a sixteen year old negro girl who was unable to go with the slaves on the previous afternoon, he got
into his buggy and started on the long journey. As he was going up the hill in Van Buren, the horses became
frightened and due to his inefficiency as to a driver the buggy was overturned and he was badly injured. He was
returned to his home suffering from a head injury and a badly mangled arm which had to be amputated. He passed
away six weeks later. When the slaves learned of the accident they returned home to their masters instead of trying
to secure their freedom. As was expected, Blount's army moved into town. Every home in Van Buren except that of
Judge Greene was raided. Loyal to their master, the slaves patrolled the grounds and forbade the soldiers entering,
telling them that the Judge was very sick. The man questioned their story, but the slaves were so positive that the
troops did not molest them. Finally a hospital flag was placed in front of the residence. Before the Judge's death he
requested the fifteen slaves who had done the work in the home to stay with his wife. Again their loyalty was shown
in their complying to his wishes. After the Emancipation Proclamation, the slaves who labored in the fields went
their ways but the fifteen house servants remained with Mrs. Greene and her family.
This information given by Mrs. Betty Quesnesberry.
Place of residence Van Buren, Ark., Age 77.
