My folks allus belongs to the Cavins and wore their name till after 'mancipation. Pa and ma was named Freeman and Amelia Cavin and Massa Dave fotches them to Texas from Alabama, along with ma's mother, what we called Maria. The Cavins allus thunk lots of their niggers and Grandma Maria say, 'Why shouldn't they—it was their money.' She say there was plenty Indians here when they settled this country and they bought and traded with them without killin' them, if they could. The Indians was po...

Rachel Adams' two-room, frame house is perched on the side of a steep hill where peach trees and bamboo form dense shade. Stalks of corn at the rear of the dwelling reach almost to the roof ridge and a portion of the front yard is enclosed for a chicken yard. Stepping gingerly around the amazing number of nondescript articles scattered about the small veranda, the visitor rapped several times on the front door, but received no response. A neighbor said the old woman might be found at her s...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume IV, Georgia Narratives, Part 3 is the third segment in a significant compilation that documents the firsthand experiences of former enslaved individuals in Georgia, recorded by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume deepens the exploration of the harsh realities of slavery, providing rich narratives that highlight the personal stories, struggles, and resilience of those who ...

Aunt Lucy, an ex-slave, lives with her son, Lafayette Brooks, in a shack on the Carroll Inn Springs property at Forest Glen, Montgomery County, Md. To go to her home from Rockville, leave the Court House going east on Montgomery Ave. and follow US Highway No. 240, otherwise known as the Rockville Pike, in its southeasterly direction, four and one half miles to the junction with it on the left (east) of the Garrett Park Road. This junction is directly opposite the entrance to the Georgetown...

Now, Miss Sue, take up. I jes' like to talk to you, honey 'bout dem days ob slavery; 'cause you look like you wan'ta hear all 'bout 'em. All 'bout de ol' rebels; an' dem niggers who left wid de Yankees an' were sat free, but, poor things, dey had no place to go after dey got freed. Baby, all us wuz helpless an' ain't had nothin'. I wuz free a long time 'fo' I knew it. My Mistess still hired me out, 'til one day in talkin' to de woman she hired me to, she, "God bless her soul", she told me,...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 3 is an essential compilation that documents the experiences of formerly enslaved individuals in Texas, as recorded by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume continues to explore the diverse narratives of those who endured slavery in a state characterized by its vast plantations and complex social structures.The narratives featured in this collect...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume VIII, Maryland Narratives is a significant compilation that captures the voices and experiences of formerly enslaved individuals in Maryland, recorded by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume offers a rich array of firsthand accounts that shed light on the realities of slavery in a border state, illustrating both the brutality of the institution and the resilience of those ...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume IV, Georgia Narratives, Part 4 is the fourth installment in a crucial collection documenting the experiences of formerly enslaved individuals in Georgia, as gathered by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume offers a continuation of powerful firsthand accounts, capturing the intricate realities of life under slavery and the enduring spirit of those who lived through it.In th...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume II, Arkansas Narratives, Part 4 completes the series documenting the experiences of formerly enslaved people in Arkansas through the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This final volume presents a rich tapestry of firsthand accounts, offering valuable insights into the lives, struggles, and resilience of those who endured the institution of slavery.The interviews in this volume capture ...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XVI, Texas Narratives, Part 4 continues the vital exploration of the experiences of formerly enslaved individuals in Texas, compiled by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume offers an additional layer of insight into the lived realities of those who endured the brutal institution of slavery in one of the largest slaveholding states.The narratives within this volume highligh...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume XVII, Virginia Narratives presents a compelling collection of firsthand accounts from formerly enslaved individuals in Virginia, compiled by the WPA’s Federal Writers' Project. This volume is pivotal in understanding the complexities of slavery in a state central to the institution's history in America.The narratives featured in this volume provide detailed insights into the everyday...

Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume I, Alabama Narratives is a collection of firsthand accounts from former enslaved people in Alabama, compiled as part of the Federal Writers' Project under the United States Work Projects Administration (WPA) in the 1930s. This volume captures the personal stories of individuals who endured the hardships of slavery, sharing memories that range from childhood experiences to moments of ...