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Clarendon, Arkansas
Age Born in 1860
"Mama was born in slavey but never sold. Grandma and her husband was sold and brung eleve children to Crystal
Springs. They was sold to Mr. Munkilwell. I was born there. Grandma was born in Virginia. Har back was cut all to
pieces where she had been beat by her master. Bth of them was shooped. He was a hostler and blacksmith.
"When grandma was a young wuzsa she didn't have no children, so her master thought sure she was barren. He sold
her to Taylors. Here come 'long eleven children. Taylor sold them. After freedom she had another. He was her
onliest boy. That was so funny to hear her tell it. I never could forgit it long as I ever know a thing. Grandma's baby
child was seventy-four years old, 'cepting that boy what was a stole child. She died not long ago at Carpendale,
Mississippi. I got the letter two weeks ago. But she had been dead a while 'fore they writ to me. Her name was Annt
Miny. She didn't have no children.
"Grandma said the first time she was sold---the first day of July---they put her in a trader yard in Virginia. She was
crying and says, 'Take me back to my mama. An old woman said, 'You are up to be sold.'
"Annt Helen, her sister, was taking her husband something in the field. They fooled her away from her five little
children. Grandma said she never was seen no more. She was much older than grandma. Grandma stayed with her
slavery husband till he died.
"Since freedom some people tried to steal my mama. She was a fast runner and could dance. They wanted to make
money out of her. They would bet on her races. At Lerret School they took about thirty-six children off in wagons.
Never could got trace of them. Never seen nor heard of a one of them again. That was in this state at Lornet School
years ago but since freedom.
"I was born during the War soon after Master Munkilwell took mama over. He didn't ever buy her. Mama died
young but grandma lived to be over a hundred years old. She told me all I know about real olden times.
"I just looks on in 'mazement at this young generation. They is happy all right. Times not hard for them glib and
well as they seems. Times have changed a sight since I was born in this world and still changing. Sometimes it
seems like they are all right. Ag'in times is tough on old folks like me. This is all in the Bible---about the times and
folks changing."
Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson"
