Thomas Wright's Diary

August-September

23, August, 1858
Woke ta Betsy humming and makin flapjacks, smell of bacon in air. Sun wasn't up yet, Mister Bowman's slaves should be arrivin soon. Ate breakfast, slaves showed few minutes, after I finished. Sent Betsy with walkin papers ta get some more potatoes and some flour about out.
Told her check on some eggs too. Sent her off ta the new place. Best get ta work.

Day went good almost done figure maybe another day plus a half. Poppy should be pleased. Harvest looks good best we had in years. Betsy fixed a hash sausage potatoes an eggs few onions. She seems distant today, maybe that kiss I planted on her. Just been wantin ta do that long time now. That Patten feller ain't here Bob is, known him some time now. Trust him fair with the slaves an all, almost to fair as Poppy puts it. Still goin ta have Betsy stay with me. Rather like that her next ta me an all. I had another rude awakenin, Betsy looked at me asked if she needed ta spread her legs, fer me! Then said ya defend me, then call me property. Kiss me yesterday, Mister Thom what is it you want?

Honestly I told her don't rightfully know. Betsy I feel thins I shouldn't, least ways most folks around here. Would kill us both for such a thin. If I am truly feelin love ya see. We said nothin more she just held my hand a spell rather liked that.

26, August 1858

Harvest is done, Poppy is paid up with money ta spare. Next Harvest only need ta give him a fourth for the use of the slaves. I am excited goin with Poppy. Seems we gotta pick up two run aways out near Augusta. Sheriff is holdin them. Poppy said the owner lives just east of Maysville. More later.

We rode out ta Augusta in the wagon, figured be easier ta move those two than them walkin. Poppy figures we stop at home way back. Finish out the journey in the mornin. These two runaways, they look beat, dirty, clothes are in a bad way. Both thum look mad, like dogs fixin ta attack. Poppy gives thum the speech, whens we leave ya be chained. Don't attempt ta run from us. Then he patted his Griswold. Then he tells thum do as I tell ya journey be easy.

Sheriff wishes us luck, gives us the owners name Taylor is his name. Poppy asks those two they understand what he just said? They both nod, one said yessum, Masser. Ride home was easy no trouble they done calmed some ride back. Both didn't say a word till we gots ta home. Asked ifin they could have some food was all. Course Ma wouldn't let thems starve an all. Gave them boiled egg an cornbread. Poppy wants ta leave about sun up. Gets back before it's to late. More in the mornin.

27, August 1858

Poppy had ta stop in at the Sheriff in Maysville, get a look at his map. Poppy couldn't find this place that owner Taylor lives at. Place called Brushart, Sheriff mentions some Slave Trader Agents been about lately. Ta watch out they been takin Free Blacks past couple days over in Ripley and just outside of town. The woman from Ripley answers ta the name of Ruby Mason, has two kids at home. Her husband placed reward to be claimed on her return.

Poppy asks how much, man said 500 dollars is all he has, will pay that. Poppy found the place on the map. So we were off. Tell ya seen a few Agents for those Slave Traders. Nasty bunch, Poppy don't care for thum at all. Theys like that Farley fella, even Poppy don't much care for him. Theys cheat ya in a second. Fools take free people send thum off ta be sold. Especially those that worked hard bought they Freedom, ain't right!

Poppy figures we be home sometime late afternoon, tomorrow. Made the Taylor place late evening. Now heard tell of Blacks ownin slaves, first I ever saw, was today. Poppy asked those slaves this your Master? They nods, then Poppy said no harm meant Taylor. Ifin I don't know ya always ask the slave. They normally don't lie about that to much fear in thum. Taylor laughed, pulled the shirt over on ones shoulder. Why they was a brand on him, big letter.T. both thum had it.