Book Description

This is an annotated version of the book1. contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2. This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errorsI was born a slave; but I never knew it till six years of happy childhoodhad passed away. My father was a carpenter, and considered so intelligentand skilful in his trade, that, when buildings out of the common line wereto be erected, he was sent for from long distances, to be head workman. Oncondition of paying his mistress two hundred dollars a year, and supportinghimself, he was allowed to work at his trade, and manage his own affairs.His strongest wish was to purchase his children; but, though he severaltimes offered his hard earnings for that purpose, he never succeeded. Incomplexion my parents were a light shade of brownish yellow, and weretermed mulattoes. They lived together in a comfortable home; and, though wewere all slaves, I was so fondly shielded that I never dreamed I was apiece of merchandise, trusted to them for safe keeping, and liable to bedemanded of them at any moment. I had one brother, William, who was twoyears younger than myself--a bright, affectionate child. I had also a greattreasure in my maternal grandmother, who was a remarkable woman in manyrespects. She was the daughter of a planter in South Carolina, who, at hisdeath, left her mother and his three children free, with money to go to St.Augustine, where they had relatives. It was during the Revolutionary War;and they were captured on their passage, carried back, and sold todifferent purchasers. Such was the story my grandmother used to tell me;but I do not remember all the particulars. She was a little girl when shewas captured and sold to the keeper of a large hotel. I have often heardher tell how hard she fared during childhood. But as she grew older sheevinced so much intelligence, and was so faithful, that her master andmistress could not help seeing it was for their interest to take care ofsuch a valuable piece of property. She became an indispensable personage inthe household, officiating in all capacities, from cook and wet nurse toseamstress. She was much praised for her cooking; and her nice crackersbecame so famous in the neighborhood that many people were desirous ofobtaining them. In consequence of numerous requests of this kind, she askedpermission of her mistress to bake crackers at night, after all thehousehold work was done; and she obtained leave to do it, provided shewould clothe herself and her children from the profits. Upon these terms,after working hard all day for her mistress, she began her midnightbakings, assisted by her two oldest children. The business provedprofitable; and each year she laid by a little, which was saved for a fundto purchase her children. Her master died, and the property was dividedamong his heirs. The widow had her dower in the hotel which she continuedto keep open. My grandmother remained in her service as a slave; but herchildren were divided among her master's children. As she had five,Benjamin, the youngest one, was sold, in order that each heir might have anequal portion of dollars and cents. There was so little difference in ourages that he seemed more like my brother than my uncle. He was a bright,handsome lad, nearly white; for he inherited the complexion my grandmotherhad derived from Anglo-Saxon ancestors. Though only ten years old, sevenhundred and twenty dollars were paid for him. His sale was a terrible blowto my grandmother, but she was naturally hopeful, and she went to work withrenewed energy, trusting in time to be able to purchase some of herchildren. She had laid up three hundred dollars, which her mistress one daybegged as a loan, promising to pay her soon. The reader probably knows thatno promise or writing given to a slave is legally binding; for,