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Born of slave parents in that part of Pulaski which is now Blackly County, about 84 years ago, Sara Nance has never wandered far from the scenes of her childhood.
Dr. Frank Walker of Longstreet, Pulaski (now Bleckley) County, owned Sara and her mother and father from the time that she can remember anything until freedom. Her father was a "Nigger Driver"(sub-foreman or straw boss) on the Walker plantation, while her mother was a cook and one of her brothers a carriage driver.
"Aunt" Sara describes her old master as being, rich, smart and a good doctor - an ideal master though he whipped the slaves when they "needed it", but would "fire" an overseer for whipping his serfs "too hard".
During slavery days, Sara --- along with the other Walker slaves --- attended the white Baptist Church at Evergreen. The slaves also held prayer meetings on the plantation and, were very religiously inclined. Rations were issued the Walker slaves every Saturday. All were well fed and clothed.
When the war was over, Dr. Walker called his slaves together and told them they were free and could henceforth go where they wanted to. A good many elected to remain on the Walker plantation, Sara among the number. For years after freedom she cooked for the Walkers, but finally left them and moved to Eastman.
Despite her great age and all that she must have necessarily experienced, "Aunt" Sara's story, as told by herself, is practically featureless.
Negro Leaders (Anna Ingraham (Editor))
