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ANN J. EDWARDS, 81, was born a slave of John Cook, of Arlington County. Virginia. He manumitted his slaves
in 1857. Four years later Ann was adopted by Richard H. Cain, a colored preacher. He was elected to the 45th
Congress in 1876, and remained in Washington, D. C., until his death, in 1887. Ann married Jas. E. Edwards,
graduate of Howard College, a preacher. She now lives with her granddaughter, Mary Foster, at 804 E. 4th St., Fort
Worth, Texas.
"I shall gladly relate the story of my life. I was born a slave on January 27th, 1856, and my master's name was John
J. Cook, who was a resident of Arlington County, Virginia. He moved to Washington, D. C., when I was nearly two
years old and immediately gave my parents their freedom. They separated within a year after that, and my mother
earned our living. working as a hairdresser until her death in 1861. I was then adopted by Richard H. Cain, a
minister of the Gospel in the African Methodist Church.
"I remember the beginning of the war well. The conditions made a deep impression on my mind, and the
atmosphere of Washington was charged with excitement and expectations. There existed considerable need for
assistance to the Negroes who had escaped after the war began, and Rev. Cain took a leading part in rendering aid
to them. They came into the city without clothes or money and no idea of how to secure employment. A large
member were placed on farms, some given employment as domestic and still others mustered into the Federal
Army.
"The city was one procession of men in blue and the air was full of spirtial music. The fife and drum could be heard
almost all the time, so you say imagine what emotions a colored person of my age would experience, especially as
father's church was a center for congregating the Negroes and advising them. That was a difficult task, because a
large majority were illiterate and ignorant.
"The year father was called to Charleston. South Carolina, to take charge of a church, we became the center of
considerable trouble. It was right after the close of the war. In addition to his ministerial duties, father managed a
newspaper and became interested in politics. He was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of South
Carolina in 1868. He was also elected a Republican member of the State Senate and served from 1868 to 1872.
Then he became the Republican candidate for the United States Representative of the Charleston district, was
elected and served in the 45th Congress from March 4, 1877 to March 3, 1879.
"You can imagine the bitter conflict his candidacy brought on. A Negro running for public office against a white
person in a Southern state that was strong for slavery does not seem the sensible thing for a man to do, but he did
and was, of course, successful. From the moment he became delegate to the Constitutional Convention a guard was
necessary night and day to watch our home. He was compelled to have a bodyguard wherever he went. We, his
family, lived in constant fear at all times. Many times mother pleaded with him to cease his activities, but her
pleadings were of no avail.
"In the beginning the resentment was not so pronounced. The white people were shocked and dejected over the
outcome of the war, but gradually recovered. As they did, determination to establish order and prosperity
developed, and they resented the Negro taking part in public affairs. On the other side of the cause was the excess
and obstinate actions of some ignorant Negroes, acting under ill advice. Father was trying to prevent excesses being
done by either side. He realized that the slaves were unfit, at that time, to take their place as dependable citizens, for
the want of experience and wisdom, and that there would have to be mental development and wisdom learned by his
race, and that such would only come by a gradual process.
"He entered the contest in the interest of his own race, primarily, but as a whole, to do justice to all. No one could
change his course. He often stated. 'It is by the Divine will that I am in this battle.'
"The climax of the resentment against him took place when he was chosen Republican candidate to the House of
Representatives. He had to maintain an armed guard at all times. Several times, despite these guards, attempts were
made to either burn the house or injure some member of the family. If it had not been for the fact that the officials of
the city and county were afraid of the federal government, which gave aid in protecting him, the mob would have
succeeded in harming him.
"A day or two before election a mob gathered suddenly in front of the house, and we all thought the end had come.
Father sent us all upstairs, and said he would, if necessary, give himself up to the mob and let them satisfy their
vengeance on him, to save the rest of us.
"While he was talking, mother noticed another body of men in the alley. They were certainly sinister looking. Father
told us to prepare for the worst,
saying, 'What they plan to do is for those in front to engage the attention of ourselves and the guard, then those in
the rear will fire the place and force us out.' He was calm throughout it all, but mother was greatly agitated and I
was crying.
"The chief of the guard called father for a parley. The mob leader demanded that father come out for a talk. Then
the sheriff and deputies appeared and he addressed the crowd of men, and told them if harm came to us the city
would be placed under martial law. The men then dispersed, after some discussion among themselves.
"Father moved to Washington, took the oath of office and served until March 4th, 1879. He then received the
appointment of Bishop of the African Methodist Church and served until his death in Washington, on Jan. 18th,
1887.
"I began my schooling in Charleston and continued in Washington, where I entered Howard College, but did not
continue until graduation. I met James E. Edwards, another student, who graduated in 1881, and my heart overruled
my desire for an education. We married and he entered the ministry and was called to Dallas, Texas. He remained
two years, then we were called to Los Angeles. The Negroes there were privileged to enter public eating
establishments, but a cafe owner we patronized told us the following:
"'After a time, I was compelled to refuse service to Negroes because they abused the privilege. They came in in a
boisterous manner and crowded and shoved other patrons. It was due to a lack of wisdom and education.'
"That was true. The white people tried to give the Negro his rights and he abused the privilege because he was
ignorant, a condition he could not then help.
"My husband and I were called to Kansas City in 1896 and from there to many other towns. Finally we came to
Waco, and he had charge of a church there when he died, in 1927. We had a pleasant married life and I tried to do
my duty as a pastor's wife and help elevate my race. We were blessed with three children, and the only one now
living is in Boston, Massachusetts.
"I now reside with my granddaughter, Mary Foster, and this shack is the best her husband can afford. In fact, we are
living in destitute circumstances. It is depressing to me, after having lived a life in a comfortable home. It is the
Lord's will and I must accept what is provided. There is a purpose for all things. I shall soon go to meet my Maker,
with the satisfaction of having done my duty - first, to my race, second, to mankind.
Note: The biography of Richard H. Cain is published in the Biographical Directory of the American Congress.
Edwards, Ann J. -- Additional Interview
Ann J. Edwards, 81, 804 E. 4th St., Ft. Worth, Tex., was born a slave to Mr. John Cook, of Arlington Col, Va., on
Jan. 27, 1856. Mr. Cook moved to Washington, D. C., in 1857, taking all his slaves, which included Ann's parents,
and there, he manumitted them all. Ann's parents separated after their freedom. Her mother was employed as a
hairdresser. She died when Ann was five yrs. of age. Ann was adopted by Richard H. Cain, a colored Minister of
the Gospel. When the Civil War terminated, he moved to Charleston, S. C., to accept a pastorate. Richard H. Cain
was elected a Republican Congressman to the 45th Congress in 1876, and moved back to Washington, D. C. There
he remained until his death on Jan. 18, 1887.
Ann, a high school graduate, matriculated in Howard College. James E. Edwards, a Howard College student,
graduated in 1881, when he and Ann married. After entering the Ministry, he accepted a call to Dallas, Tex., and
elsewhere, serving 13 Yrs. in Cal. Three children were born to them, and he died in Waco, Tex., in 1927. She now
lives with her granddaughter, Mary Foster. Her only remaining child now lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Her story:
"I shall gladly relate the story of my life, as you all request. I was born a slave on January 27th, 1856. My Master's
name was John J. Cook, who was a resident of Arlington County, Virginia. Mister Cook moved to Washington, D.
C., when I was two years old, that was in 1858, and he immediately gave my parents their freedom. My folks
separated within a year after they were made free people. I can't give you the details of the cause for the divorce,
due to my age at the time. My mother earned our livlihood, working as a hairdresser until her death in 1861. I was
then adopted by Richard H. Cain, a Minister of the Gospel in the African Methodist Church. It was at the beginning
of the Civil War, and I was six years old at the time.
"I can remember the beginning of the war well. The conditions made a deep impression on my mind. The
atmosphere of Washington was charged with excitement and expectations. We were brought in direct contact with
events, since my foster father was a minister, and we were of the negro race.
"There existed considerable need for assistance to the negroes that came to Washington who had escaped from slave
territory after the war began. Rev. Cain took a leading part in rendering aid to those that needed it, and most of them
did. The negroes came into the city without clothes or money, and with no idea of how to secure employment. It
was necessary to care for them and find them employment suitable to their knowledge and ability. A large number
were placed on farms, some were given employment as domestics, and still others were mustered into the Federal
Army. I am proud of the fact that history records that the black man distinguished himself by his services in many
instances.
"At that time, I was not old enough to understand the full import of all that was taking place, but, of course, I knew
there was a conflict taking place and a war waging that was taking thousands of lives, and that my race was the
main cause, and I knew that the outcome of the conflict would determine the status of the negroes.
"The city was one procession of men in blue, and the air was full of martial music, the fife and drum could be heard
most all the time. So, you may imagine what emotions a colored person of my age, living in Washington at that
time, would experience.
"Father's church was one of the centers for congregating the negroes and advising them. That was a difficult task
because a big majority were illiterate and ignorant.
"The greatest excitement and shock took place on April 14, 1865, when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. I can't
describe the emotions of the people, except to say that it was as if everyone had suddenly experienced the death of
their most beloved child.
"Father held service in his church and I know there was not a dry eye present. For days after the incident the people
moved about showing the deep feeling. As young as I was, I could sense the effect.
"The following year father was called to Charleston, So. Carolina to take charge of a church. There, we became the
center of considerable trouble.
"In addition to his ministerial duties, father managed a newspaper, and became interested in politics and was elected
a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of So. Carolina held in 1868. He was elected as a Republican member
of the State Senate and served from 1868 to 1872. Then he became the Republican candidate for the United States
Representative of the Charleston district, was elected and served in the 45th Congress from March 4, 1877 to March
3, 1879.
"You can imagine the bitter conflict that his candidacy brought on. A negro running for public office against a white
person in a Southern State that was strong for slavery, does not seem the sensible thing for a man to do, but he did
and was, of course, successful.
"Now, I shall explain what he and his family went through during his activities as a politician. From the moment he
became a candidate for a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, a guard was necessary night and day to watch
our home. He was compelled to have a body-guard everywhere he went. We, his family, lived in constant fear at all
times. Many times mother pleaded with him to cease his activities, but her pleadings were of no avail.
"In the beginning the resentment was not so pronounced. For a time, the white people were shocked and dejected
over the outcome of the war, but were gradually recovering. As they did, determination to establish order and
prosperity developed, and, of course, they resented the negro taking part in public affairs. On the other side of the
cause, was excess and obstinate action of some ignorant negroes acting under ill advice.
"Father was deeply interested in preventing excess from being done by either side. He realized that the slaves were
unfit, at that time, to take their place as dependable citizens, for the want of experience and wisdom. He also
realized that before the negro could attain the respect due a good citizen, there would have to be considerable
mental development and wisdom learned by his race, and that such would only come by a gradual process.
"He entered the contest in the interest of his own race, primarily, but as a whole to do justice to all and no one could
change his course. He often stated: 'It is by the Divine will that I am in this battle.'
"What I have just related will give one an understanding of why he took the part he performed.
"The climax of the resentment against Richard H. Cain's activities took place when he was chosen as the Republican
candidate to the House of Representatives.
"It was imperative that an armed guard be maintained at all times. There were several occasions that, despite the
guards, attempts were made to either burn the house or injure some member of the family. If it had not been for the
fact that the officials of the city and county were afraid of reprisal from the Federal Government, which gave aid in
protecting him, the mob would have succeeded in harming him.
"It was a day or two before election when a mob gathered suddenly in front of the house, and we all thought the end
had come, because of the large number of persons. Father requested all of us to retire to the upstairs. He said he
would, if necessary, give himself up to the mob and let them satisfy their vengeance on him, to save the rest of us.
"While he was talking, mother noticed another body of men in the alley, and called our attention to them. They were
certainly sinister looking. Father told us to prepare for the worst, saying, "What they plan to do is for them in front
to engage our attention, also the guard's attention. While our attention is directed toward the front, those in the rear
will fire the place, and force us out". Father was calm throughout it all, but mother was greatly agitated, and of
course, I was crying, which added to the trouble.
"The chief of the guards called father for a parley. The leader of the mob had demanded that father come out for a
talk. Father and the chief were discussing the advisability of complying with the demand, when suddenly, the sheriff
with deputies appeared, and he addressed the crowd of men. He informed them that if harm came to us by their acts,
the city would be placed under martial law. The men dispersed after considerable discussion among themselves.
"It was in late Fall when the election was held, and a surprise to many people that father was the successful
candidate.
That required moving to Washington, which we did in the month of March. He took the oath of office, and served
from March fourth, 1877, to March fourth, 1879. At the end of his Congressional term, father received the
appointment of Bishop of the African Episcopal Methodist Church. He served until his death in Washington,
January 18th, 1887.
"I began my schooling in Charleston, and continued in Washington. I finished my common school education, and
entered the Howard University, but did not continue 'til graduation.
"James E. Edwards was a student at Howard, and he was graduated in 1881. He and I met there, and my heart
over-ruled my desire for an education. We were married shortly after his graduation. He entered the Ministry, and
his first call was to a church in Dallas, Texas. We remained there for two years, then we were called to Los Angeles.
When we first arrived in Los Angeles, the negroes there were privileged to enter public eating establishments and
receive service. To give you an example of what happened, I will give you the experience of a cafe owner that we
patronized, as he related it to us.
"After a time, he was compelled to refuse service to the negroes because they abused their privilege. They would
come into the cafe in a boisterous manner, and crowd and shove the other patrons. Of course, it was due to a lack of
wisdom and education. One could not expect them to conduct themselves otherwise, and the owner should not be
censured for refusing to serve them.
"The white people have tried to give the negro his rights as a citizen. At first, he accepted what was granted, but
abused it because he was ignorant, a condition at the time he could not help. I am sure the negro will receive his full
rights as a citizen in voting and other matters as fast as he has placed himself in a position to accept without
abusing.
"My opinion of voting women, is that they should vote because they are subject to the laws and economic
conditions. I believe they should have a voice in the making of, and the administering of the laws.
"Now, about my husband and I. We were called to Kansas City in 1896, and from there to many other towns.
Finally, we were called to Waco, Texas. My husband had charge of a church in Waco when he died in 1927.
"Now, after I have told you about my life, you may understand that I have had a life full of experience and a useful
one, a life that was beneficial to my race.
"My husband and I had a pleasant married life. I did my duty as a pastor's wife, and in so doing, elevated my race.
We were blessed with three children, only one now living. She resides in Boston, Massachusetts.
"I now reside with my grand-daughter, Mary Foster. This shack is the best her husband can afford. In fact, we are
living in destitute circumstances. It is depressing to me, after having lived a life in a comfortable home. It is the
Lord's will, and I must accept what is provided. There is a purpose for all things.
"I shall soon go to meet my Maker with the satisfaction of having done my duty, first to my race, and second, to
mankind.
Note: The biography of Richard H. Cain is published in the Biographical Directory of the American Congress.
(Alfred E. Menn Austin, Texas Travis County District No. 9 (8-14-37 (Yes))
Edwards, Mary -- Additional Interview
Mary Edwards
My maiden name was Mary Mallett, and I will be 84 years old on July 4, 1937. I was bawn in Nawth Ca'olina---don'
know now the name of the town. I was brang to Texas when I was two years old.
My mother's name was Phoebe Mallett. I never did see my father ---and I don' know his name. We took the name of
Mallett from our Mawster.
My mawster hired me out to do nursin' fo' people who didn' own no slaves. No, I didn' have to do no field-work.
My mawster went to the war, and an overseer was lef' in his place, but de cullud folks didn't like him. Our mistress
later let my grandfather sort of rule over us.
The mawster fed us putty good. He give us all of our food --- bacon, cawnbread, and milk. He was a good farmer.
My grandmother used to sit by the fireplace and sing:
"I'm bound fo' the Promised Land, I'm bound fo' the Promised Land, Oh, I'm bound fo' the Promised Land Who'll go
with me to the Promised Land?"
The boys would play ball and mawbles. We-all would play ring-games. Both boys and girls would play the
ring-games. We'd form a ring and somebody had to sit in the center. We'd ask:
"Why didn't yo'-all do this?"
The one in the ring would say:
"Jake grinned at me!"
We'd keep that up fo' a long time. At other times, the boys and girls would stand up, then hold up their hands and
start skippin'. We'd say:
"Hold up the gates, as high as the sky, and let King George and his army pass by."
We sometimes had a big dance in the cabins. The folks danced reels, Waltzes and gallopy---we'd call it that 'cause
we'd gallop 'round and 'round. The prompter would call out the figures, and we'd do 'em.
Ole Charlie Sapp and Grant Sutton was very good fiddlers here. They was especially good when they played
"Chicken Crow Befo' Day". I don' remember enny of the words.
About two good whoopin's was about all I ever seen on the plantation. I remember that one time my mother got a
whoopin'. She was tied to a tree one mornin' and given a good whoopin'. Mother was very high-tempered, and she
had told our mawster that her chillun wasn't gittin' enough to eat. This made mawster mad, and he whooped her
hisself.
Mawster Mallett had a plantation on Mill Creek, near Brenham, Washington County. I didn't have to do no
field-work, but I remember how the slaves put large baskets between two rows, and picked cotton.
As I have said, I was hired out until I was about eleven years old. I was about thirty miles from home. One day my
mother come after me, and she tol' me that I was free. This was durin' a June--yes,
June 19th. I can remember how glad I was. The people I worked fo' didn't have no slaves, and didn't believe in it.
They paid me fo' my work, and my mawster got the money.
The pusson I was workin' fo' tol me, "Mary, you're free---and I always believed the cullud folks should've been free
long ago."
"After the war, my uncle rented a farm and we worked fo' him. I was big enough now to do field-work---sich as
plant cotton, chip cotton, and pick cotton. We didn't have no planters, so we had to go right after a plowman, and
throw the seeds into the rows.
I was goin' on seventeen, when I got married. I married Charlie Edwards. We had a big weddin', and a big dance.
We had chickens and tukkeys to eat.
We had twelve chillun. There is only five livin', four her in Austin, and one in Oakland, California.
And I'm glad fo' one thing---that I git my pension check. I was gittin' too old to do much work, but I used to do a lot
of washin'. I'm sho' glad that I git my pension check.
