Thomas Wright's Diary

1933

The Old Place, Mason County Kentucky. Momma, Wright's Funeral. William Wright the second reading the eulogy.

Momma loving wife of Thomas mother of three. Her smile and laugh brightened all that knew her.

Near as we can tell Momma was 90, December last.
Records weren't well kept at the time. Her and Pop had a long loving life. She left behind myself, Thomas junior, and Grace. Six Granchildren, four Great Granchildren. She lived almost her entire life here at what is called the old place. Momma or Pops never said why it was called the old place. When asked neither said, they just blew off the question.

Momma worked as a midwife, done some healing when needed, for the old folk about, most now are gone. She never learned to drive, she walked or rode a horse. Unless someone took her some where. She said she had delivered more babies than any Doctor within fifty miles. Remembered the names of most those babies. Loved every family she helped to bring a child into this world.

Momma said, they is only one person I hate in this world and he died long ago, I won't even speak his name. Your Pop fixed him! Even now myself Thomas or Grace don't know who that person was, or how Pops fixed him! Most think Momma strange she drank least two bourbons a day, smoked a pipe on occasion. We must not forget she had a beer a day. Momma said that was the key to a long life one beer and two whiskies a day or two beers and a whisky.

I can remember as a child walking down to the river at Granma Wright's house. Poppy that's what Pops called him was dead. So just me and Momma down near the river. She would look across it nod then shake her head smile. Say Freedom was across that river. Granma would say Freedom one side and hatred both sides that damn river.

Momma always had a smile, greeted every one with  a hello or good day ta ya. Momma didn't care who you were, what faith or color. On Sunday she had her pot luck Dinner. All folks invited just bring a dish enough ta feed a few, she would say. Momma was at her best then. My she could keep a crowd of folks happy. Spring and summer men play horse shoes, drink a beer or two. See most folks worked 6 days, Sunday only day off to relax cut loose.

Momma loved Sunday dinners, I know sounds like  Momma led a boring life. Momma was happy sitting on the porch snapping beans or at Fiddlers Knob over in Ohio, listening to the music and dancing.
Folks that ends this gathering. If you would like to head on back to the house like before when I was young pot luck dinner. That ways these two fellas can finish up go on home. Thanks for attending.

                               The Discovery

Well what to do, Thomas doesn't care about the house or Grace. I would hate to sell it, I've made a good living. My, I can remember when I first started with Bowman and Hanse, then full partner William Wright Esquire. Martha always loved it here. Maybe just maybe we leave Maysville, live here at the old place. Thom took Pops old muzzle loading shot gun that Poppy gave him. Grace wanted Mommas quilts, few pictures.

I know the one thing I want, found it when I was about twelve. Well, close to it. Two old leather books tied with rawhide string. Pops found me looking at them. Wow his face and his shouts of leave those be! When Pops died oh five years back, asked Momma about it. She said they were still here put away. Can have them when she was gone.

I have looked about every place I can think, of looking. I just found them sitting on the bed in here. When I was young.  I haven't checked that old chest in the closet. This may take some work I know I can't get it open in the closet. Damn this thing is heavy, come on move! Finally! Getting old, that about tuckered me out. Nope, no lock. The latches are open, do I really want to know. What was so secret back then? Hell went to the trouble, might as well see if it's in here.

What! What in the wide world? Smell cedar, small oak box man it's got some weight to it. Just these two hooks, oh wow! Two pistols! Plate inside top, William Wright 1851 Griswold & Gunnison. Wait to busy looking inside the chest. Envelope stuck to the chest top. These pistols smell oiled.

Wax seal gotta be Mommas doing. Well let's see.

William I know it's you that would open this chest. If not then guess I figured wrong, if it is you. I just knew it. Those pistols were your Granpas or Poppy.
Yes those two books are in here. Along with a letter from uncle Tom on how Poppy died and where.

Before you go diggin in that chest any further, please read the books. It's our history mine and your Pops.
To understand what is in this chest, the books will tell. Least point you the right way. It divided this Family and brought us together. Those two books are wrapped in that tattered moth eaten Confederate flag. Read William don't guess just read. Pops kept oil on those pistols I did the same.

William after you read those books, ya tell your brother and sister about it. Mind ya we were never ashamed of what happened. Lack of a better term we thought it best not ta talk about it. The Wrights were good people, ya remember that. Now read and no more looking.
With love
Momma

Well, I've got the books, I'll leave this chest out. Shame Thom left for Virginia Grace left for New Richmond hour ago. First I want a look at those books. Before I head to Maysville.

Guess the one on top first, it appears to be the oldest.

My diary Thomas Wright start date 5, July 1858.

                             Little Information
                                     On Slavery 

The Virginia Court Ruling that brought on Slavery.
Most believe when Africans arrived in the Colonies they were considered indentured servants some say they were slaves from the beginning.

1619 marks the beginning of Blacks in the Virginia's serving as indentured servants in 1640
John Punch a Negro servant escaped from his Master Hugh Gwyn, along with two white servants. The three Servants were captured punishment from the court, the two white servants had their contracts extended four years, Punch got a much harsher sentence Servitude for life. This is considered the earliest legal document of Slavery in Virginia. Some say that this is what gave Slavery it's start. Slave owners although predominantly White, include Native Americans The Cherokee owned slaves and was in the slave trade before the trail of tears, Blacks owned slaves some had a very large slave population, although most black owners were thought to be protecting family and friends. Some owned larger plantations. The First Louisiana Native Guard CSA
Consisted of free persons of color. Formed April 1861, in  New Orleans , Louisiana. So some Free men of Color chose Slavery over all being Free.
Just a little History, Whites were the Majority of the Slave owners.

Well sorry about getting the real chapter one out so late after the Introduction and the first two chapters of the diary were published. I toyed and fought with this chapter for weeks.
I think I finally got what I wanted. Thought about fitting this in at the end, to be honest it works better here.

Thanks for reading comment vote if you please
Dram 12