Thomas Wright's Diary

The Disturbance

My heart is thumping, still even after it is over! About 1 in the mornin heard a noise in the main room! That Talbert done walked in, Betsy was shoutin no Masser Talbert! Betsy's dress he done ripped the buttons off it! She wasn't fightin him, just pleading for him ta let her go! That Patten feller was watchin with a big grin!

Talbert shouted watch boy ya learn about, how ta treat a nigris! I held my hands up, stepping back some grabbed that shotgun, fired one barrel went off! Both men stepped back. Talbert laughed said only got one left. Can't shoot us both. I am scared mouth felt dry, sweat was on my neck. I forced out, nope get you then still beat that other! Best let my property go! He let her go, stepped away. Told me look at her, light skin face. Why she least half white! Bet half Virginia done had her!

Patten stepped away said he was ridin off. Talbert came at me! I fired that shot tore him open. Talbert died that night. I done shot a man over a nigris, sure she might be my property. Was it legal and all.

Confusion set in, I needs ta get Poppy here! Mister Bowman also and the Sheriff! Poppy may not be home! Uncle Tom maybe he ain't lefts yet?

I can'ts leave, who watch the Slaves. Tully maybe he is here. Could trust him ta run ta get Mister Bowman and Poppy or Tom. I sent Tully took two hours ta fetch Mister Bowman and uncle Tom.
Sheriff showed about three hours later.

                   14, August 1858

Mister Bowman asked this all over a nigris. I said yessum Talbert broke in tried ta do as he pleased with Betsy. He made a threatenin move had ta shoot him. Uncle Tom said not ta speak anymore, ta wait outside. Him and Mister Bowman needed ta talk. Well, Sheriff done chained me and headed me towards Maysville. Tom rode with me, made sure I stayed quiet.

Sheriff took my diary for spell, looked it over gave it. Back said, I think ya done what needed done son. Till a Judge says different have ta hold you.
Poppy came fast he could, him the Sheriff had a few loud words. Tom paced about front of the bars.
Saying Ma best get rid that nigris.

My heart felt like it fell ta my gut. These past couple days, grown used ta Betsy bein around. Hell only time I've touched her was arm over her when I woke. Poppy came in said Judge be by in the mornin tomorrow. Have ta stay over night. Tom keep an eye on the old place till I gets out. Poppy also said he would stay in town, Tom let Ma know I am fine.

                            15, August 1858

Poppy and the Judge came about 9 recons close to it least. Judge said, my word on a dead body. Was a might hard ta take. Then he added Talbert had a few run-ins with the Sheriff. Fights so called self defense shootin. So figures I am tellin the truth. I was free ta go. Poppy only said son did what needed done. Mister Bowman held up harvest till Ya return. So when ever ya ready ta go back.
Told him  I was ready, no need ta wait an all. Ma and Betsy got the place cleaned best they could.

Ma didn't wants ta leave, Poppy about had ta force her out near dark. Betsy stayed on, Ma didn't like it, Poppy said she had ta earn her keep.

                          16, August 1858

Slaves returned ta the old place, got near fourth the corn in. My count only different by a bushel Barns tallied his to mine. Tom showed on his way ta Virginia. Gave me one his old pistols 45 ball and cap muzzle loader. Least ways have three shots instead of two. Tom was a bit sad he was leavin and all. Thinks he was thinking might not see us again.

When he rode off, he didn't look back. Told that Patten feller, let slaves walk about sit do what ever till 9, then put them ta bed at nine. Also told him best not think a bustin in an all, might just end up dead. Betsy spent the night with me. Felt better that way.

                           18, August 1858

Heavy rains on the 17th, held us up only got about eighth done. Storm came through stopped work about noon. Fields were muddy got little over a fourth done. Bushels are on spot with Barns. Think he figured out, may not read and write so well. Numbers, I understand numbers now. Betsy made some salve to put on some cuts, Tully cut his hand some how didn't hear the how's. Betsy seems at home fixin people up and all. Finds her more attractive every day. Ma and Grace stopped in with the Bowman children. Nice ta see children runnin and playin. The three ladies talked as they watched them kids play.

They stayed till near 3 I reckon or maybe 4, couldn't tell ya ta be honest an all. Might busy, I put Tully ta seein to the loadin of the wagons.
Hand messed up an all. Give him a little break.
Patten feller didn't care for that at all. I think I haves another Talbert on my hands. Worked till almost dark.

                           22, August 1858

Sunday, gave the slaves the day off, even Mister Bowman does it. Little over half way, makin good time. They went back ta Rivers Edge. Me and Betsy had the place ta ourselves. Wanted ta know a few thins. So bein I don't know a lot about The Home Stead and all. Asked her why the Slaves looked so afraid all the time. Only a few seemed like they weren't.

Well I didn't see it, seems Mike rules with a whip. Figured as much, why harm what makes ya money! That be like beatin your mule then not able ta plow the fields, an bitchin about it! Poppy says ya only whip an uppity one or one that refuses ta work. Unlessin he or she is sick or unable ta work from injury.

Next thing I asks is, you had better clothes and such, seemed happy, why? This is a might strange her Momma was half white daughter of a half white. It seems the owners liked what they saw.
She is the daughter of a previous owner. Uncle Mikes Poppy, think past few years back. Not sure remember Ma talkin about it. Owners daughter in a ways. Gets treated littler better. I didn't ask, I told her this, I was sorry about that Talbert hurtin her.

Long as I am around, theys not a person a hurt you. Betsy smiled at me, lan sakes I leaned in kissed her plum on the lips!

Well hung around for another chapter thanks.
If you haven't seen it and you have been reading. 1933 was added between the Introduction and July 1858. So go back read it. Then guess who Momma Wright is. Comment vote please, guess right get nothing but hey, have a little fun. Least get a shout out from me. Thank you again for your support.

I do try and give actual facts of History. If you think you see something wrong shoot me a personal message. I'll double-check it fix it if necessary. I try to double-check, I am human can miss one or two.