Thomas Wright's Diary

November

                     1, November 1858

Monday, November already only two acres left ta finish. Cold, snow foot deep maybe deeper. Jacob sent word, slaves be out later in the day. Mister Bowman told him they would leave about noon.
Waitin till then might warm some. Well think they won't make it taday snow hasn't stopped at all.
Wind howlin like a hound after it's chase. Figures weather slow us down. About two now snow least up ta my knees. Thinkin this has took hold fer the day least.

Gots a deer yesterday, cleaned and butchered. Betsy got a roast goin in the dutch oven. Told me she had fried tatters planned pinto beans. Sounds good ta me. Got some saved down in the cellar rest soakin in a brine, then put it the smoke house. Wish that roast was pig, my that sounds good.

Snow still comin down, wind kickin an screamin.
Day like this best ta stay inside have coffee an read or do what I be doin jottin down my day. Betsy been lookin over my shoulder durin the day when I jot somethin down. Think she can read some, least good as I can. Never understood why readin an writtin are so hard, fer me yet can do math like it's easy. Thom she say, I can read some of that scratch you done put on paper. No matter ya the one be readin it. Later in life not for anyone else ta read. I knows that much, Masser Mike sister Lori taught me some readin. Masser Mike changed after she died, got mean ruled with the whip.

Then she say, snow won't be lettin up till early mornin. Think we have three foot by mornin.
We best get firewood in for the night. Brought In twice as much wood than figured we needed. Then put some on the back porch ta stay dry. We had our supper, I had one those lagers, last bottle that Poppy bought me. Betsy pointed ta the stairs say I am goin up. I say be up soon.

Betsy can read, that can't get out. Good way fer her ta end up dead. Hope the snow stops. Need that last bit cleared before real winter hits.

                            2, November 1858

Don't think work be done today. Snow is over three foot deep some spots. Cleared a path ta the outhouse. One ta the barn nough ta feed and water the horses an mules. Got some milk and few eggs see if Betsy fix some pancakes maybe have some ham. Heard Betsy hummin from the porch as I walked in the kitchen. Left the milk on the porch let cool some nothin like cold milk fer breakfast.

Betsy asked if that cow gave milk, told her yep not much. That cow is about dried up an old. Why Masser Bowman sent it here. Say low on flour plenty of corn flour make corn cakes fer breakfast got two slabs ham ready to warm up. Told her that a do. Best fix those eggs sometime today I mentioned. Eggs and dear meat  fer supper she told me. Cut a loin up like a chop. About midday I see Poppy comin up horse stepping high through the snow. Snow started back up heavy could tell it was him, that horse black like night an the way Poppy sits the saddle like he is in charge.

Came ta tell me work won't start till the snow clears some. Brought by some of Ma's sausage and couple pounds of flour. Asked if I was doin good.
Told him doin great, just wish I had a good beer or whisky ta drink later. Poppy say got a touch with me. Leave it fer ya, just got fresh from Mister Bowman. Mister Bowman makes a corn liquor on occasion. Poppy didn't stay long, snow and all. Least we gots some flour out it, plus some sausage took the sausage ta the cellar. Waved as Poppy disappeared in the snow. 

Went ta take a nap Betsy followed me ta our room. She told me ta move over she laid next ta me. Looked me in the eye, smiled ya ever goin ta ask me ta spread my legs?

Lan sakes want that, somethin ferrous. What if I am in love, just made it harder ta fight it. Why she acting this way? Hell she gots runnin on her mind.
I smile kiss her, say want ya somethin more than I can control most times. Lor I do, what if it is lust we no longer interest each other.

She pulled her dress off over her head, Thom least touch me some. Only owner that didn't touch me, or his friends. Betsy I say you are beautiful, lor I hope this ain't lust.

Don't think it's lust, no it's not. This is way too complicated. Gots ta own her, so as not ta get her killed maybe even myself. Lor gots trouble brewin just don't know at all. Asked Betsy she knew how old she was. Told me she was 17, just turned that least that is what her Ma told her. Two years difference don't bother me none.

Gots terrible cold, snow changed ta sleet. Startin ta ice over the snow. This could be bad, Kentucky it a change few days be like normal November weather. Not ta cold or hot, nice workin weather.

Both us brought more firewood in placed more on the porch out back. Betsy helped me feed and water the animals. Had supper called it a day. 

                               6, November 1858

Weather finally broke, been warm past few days. They be out ta try an finish up tomorrow. Poppy been by early today, told me that Patten feller is still around ta keep watch. Told me Ma misses me, more than I know. Then he said gotta be man startin no earlier than him. Uncle Thom back this way. Has three bounties with him, he was goin ta help get them ta Virginia. Be gone least week maybe longer. Told him wish I was goin with thum. He smiled at me, told me next time.

Later they stopped as they were leavin Thom. Looked tired, but still his likable self. He had three Griswolds. Why he needed more than one not sure. Guess he just likes thum. Slaves they looked tuckered, guess they runnin has far as they did.
Be tuckered out myself. Watched as they left, long journey back with three runaways. Betsy stepped out after they gots out of sight. Asked me ifin I was still goin ta chase runaways down. Told her right or wrong, they breakin the law. Hates ta say it but, yessum Poppy needs help or thinks I can do it yes.

Betsy looked at me, then smiled say do what ya must. We owned I guess, owner has the right ta find us we runs. Then she giggled, hard as ya a chasin me, wouldn't want ta run from ya. I asked ya wouldn't run would ya. She say why run, ya Ma and Poppy treats me good. Thom you treats me extra special. She say Mister Thom thinks I love ya.
I say I knows, thinks I loves ya too.

                             9, November 1858

All finished up, land cleared Mister Bowman paid me the money. Tried ta give me less, took longer than the time allotted fer it. Told him the weather and sendin the wrong overseers weren't my problem. Pay what's owed, he is still way ahead on board feet. He gots huffy some but, paid the 200.
We shook hands, say he would rather do business with Poppy.  Late day, made ta the New Place midday. Ma hugged me smiled said she missed me.
I could smell apple pie. Ma told Betsy she be goin back ta Dover ta clean Mister Sophors house in town. Seems he gots money doesn't live on his farm. Pays a man ta run it, some kind of lawyer.

Betsy be cleanin it an cookin three days be back on Friday. This a last long as she is needed. Hope this Sophor fella is a decent man, best not harm her.
Betsy just said yessum, need me ta start supper up soon. Ma nodded yes, I have nothin planned ta fix. Guess Ma is missin Poppy figured we wouldn't be here. I couldn't let be alone just couldn't. Even when Poppy dies Ma can live with me, hope they both live a long time then die together.

                               15, November 1858

Monday mornin Mister Bowman came by, Tully and Grace have done run off. Mister Bowman thinks it was sometime Sunday after the Reverend left. Told him they have near a full day gone. Untellin how big a lead theys got. Then I tells him Poppy is gone least two more days. He say Thom ya be the next one I trust. Pays 200 fer Grace 300 for Tully best tack and leatherworker I gots. Told him I'll leave less than hour, he had one Graces dresses in burlap bag, say this should help. As he walked away, he say see you soon as ya get back.

Kissed Ma, told her be back soon as I can. Ma looked at told me be careful. Betsy was at the Sophor place. So couldn't say goodbye ta her. Got runner, figured start at the source as Poppy would do.

Tully spent a lot time bein able to move about Dover, Maysville. So he knows how ta blend in, not look lost or somethin. Grace hell she helped raise me, Ma take me with her. When she worked, Grace watched over the white children till theys about ten or so. House worker used ta bein around white folks, both have a good chance gettin far.

Another chapter just one thing if I use a day of the week it is probably correct been using a website called QPZM what day of the week. Thought be fun to add that part. Thanks for reading taking time out of your busy day. Remember to vote and comment if you so desire.
Dram12.