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Mary Barnes, of Charles County Maryland, was 17 years old when the Civil War broke out (this she said with hardly a trace of southern accent, having been brought up in the home of one of President Buchanan's sisters). Unfortunately Mary is now blind from a blow in the eye which she received six or seven years ago. Mary is 93 years old. Her sense of association is very keen. She maintains recollection of acquaintances by the sound of the voice, the name and a peculiar grip. She seemed to have had much care and attention.
Mrs. Mary Barnes, born in Charles County, Maryland. I was 17 years of age when the Civil War broke out. A man by the name of Robert Ryan owned me. My father was from Kentucky. His name was William N. Turner. My mother was born and reared in Charles County. I had two brothers: William and Sam, both older'n me.
The white folks treated me nicely. Dey learned me to cook, do general housework. I had a very nice bed in the house --- it was a feather bed until I met that sorry husband. Marse Rob hired me to work for the Yankees. I had an accident there, Dr. Bates broke my jawbone pulling a tooth.
I never received any money except that she (Mrs. Usterfield) bought me a pair of earrings and paid $5.00 for 'em in Washington.
Mrs. Usterfield was the aunt of the Commodore's wife. She went to Georgetown to educate her three nieces, Miss Mag, Miss Emma and
Miss Jessie. All three were daughters of President Buchanan's sister. Miss Jessie's name was Weaver, she was not married. She was just from college.
Old marse Bob one day had a party and dese people came there; Captains Perry, Plunket, Granger, who was on the Freeborn, (a ship) and Captain Sheridan all came to the supper one night before they went down to Charleston, S. C., to the big fight. It went on for seven days. Captain Usterfield was wounded. Dey took him to the hospital. Mrs. Emma, his wife, left me and came to Georgetown to educate dese nieces I just told you about.
Dese boats were the Freeborn, Leezer, Resolute and another that always anchor way round de point, I could never see it.
Yes, I had good clothes then but since I am blind I can't get any mo' or see how to fix up. Some boys was playing ball one day and while I was walking de ball struck me in one eye and the sight of de other went out too. Now I can't see how to dress myself. I ain't much trouble to anybody tho.
I went to Fortress Monroe, Lees Point, Baltimore and Washington D. C. I saw President Lincoln dere when he took command the second time.
No one in the family had any children. Mrs. Usterfield used to visit the Freeborn. One Sunday dey fired the cannon fo us to see. My, my dey make noise, de balls in my ears ring.
The Freeborn come dar in December and laid anchor till April,
then she went to Charleston to fight. You heard tell of the Freeborn ain't cha? Dey first gun was fired at Bulls Run, the next one was Mannasah Gap den dey went to Charleston.
I know when this place (speaking of the place where the Old Folks Home is now located) was covered with soldiers. Dey used to come down here to drill befo' dey went to Leesburg. Old Point Comfort was where dey used to send de _________ people.
I'll be 94 in August. My grandmother lived to be 116, my uncle Matt 194, my aunt Bersie 112.
Old Marse Bob had 4 farms, but he had only 50 slaves in all. None of them ever run away, except John Johnson and Daniel Henson. Dey went North.
De Methodist Church, Baptist Church and de Presbyterian Church all was in de county. Rev. John Proutt de Presbyterian preacher was de best, der Baptist minister was named Rev. Childs. Both white and colored was together in church, dey communed together, dere was no diffense. De slaves did not do much after work, dey was too tired that they didn't feel like going anywheres. The Baptist Church had several thousand members. We used to play checkers, dominoes and udder games.
Dr. William Miller and Dr. Miller, his nephew were our doctors. Dere was a Dr. Dyson and Dr. Dyson, his son, from Baltimore also good doctors.
When we heared that Grant took Richmond de poor white folks was just as glad as us. I am so glad that slavery end.
I like Abe Lincoln better dan Jeff Davis, thou Marse Bob wasn't a Yankee. He was sho crazy about Jeff Davis.
Uncle Abe made me a free agent. If you had yo hands tied and some one come and cut 'em aloose wouldn't you be glad? Dat's why I like Abe.
Uncle Abe was tall, he had a furred hat, eagle in front of it, a great big lovely cape and he was on a big black horse. I was standing on the stand where I could almost touch him.
