Thomas Wright's Diary

Two Months

       3, March 1859

Weather isn't bad, had ta put off moving inta the Old Place till now. Weather was ta damn cold ta move. Betsy is with me, we just finished up with organizin the place. Riverboats are movin again water level up not froze. Me an Poppy are goin with Mister Bowman ta Louisville, he needs ta replace thirty slaves he lost ta that Fever.

Betsy be stayin with Ma while we gone. Poppy and Mister Bowman both aren't sure on how long, we be gone. Poppy say figure least four days ifin not more. Figure it be five, depends on the river. We takin a Riverboat down and back. Least it ain't in a wagon.

Dependin on the river, the boat an all. Hope it ain't over a week an couple days at best. Leave this evenin on the Packet steamer Chilo. We gets on at the docks at the Rivers Edge. Just a small room fer passengers, few chairs ta sit on. Me an Poppy have ta sleep on the floor, in that room. Mister Bowman has a private room next ta the Captain's quarters.

Couldn't sleep so I sat up writin a spell. The smoke off the chimney is glowin red. Can hear the water as the paddle wheel turns, the steam engine just hear an feel it, not much nough ta know it's working. Such a smooth ride compared ta a wagon.
Well finally feel tired nough ta sleep.

         4, March 1859

The shrill of the whistle on her woke me. Made Cincinnati, they a loadin some beer and looks like parts ta a machine, not real sure. Won't be gettin off, just a load stop. Louisville might be less than a day away. My travel by river is lot easier than I thought it be. Had biscuits and gravy fer supper.
Louisville only about hour if that away. Late evenin made about four more stops along the way.

Auction is tomorrow early, Mister Bowman wants the pick of the lot. Never seen an auction before.
Gots a room at the Inn, Mister Bowman stayin at the Motel. Meets him in the mornin at the auction house. Inn was still servin food had a beer an sausage with tatters. Late best get some sleep.

                        5, March 1859

Saturday, weekend auction, the people can't believe how many. Mister Bowman has walked the block lookin over the one's ta be sold. He found least thirty he wanted. What I didn't like was the way people looked thum over. Lookin at teeth how theys built like buyin a horse or cow. Even had few females they lifted up they dress ta look at they lower body hips an such. Heard Mister Bowman say the ones he picked looked healthy strong an good breedin stock also.

Might displeasin ta say the least. Treat thum like animals. Theys act like animals, Poppy pulled one aside. He looked a might upset. After he talked ta the one. He came over, tell me that one a Free man. This might mean trouble son, listen an watch my back. Don't know what Poppy meant I cocked my Griswold kept it in my coat pocket.

Him an Mister Bowman talked few minutes, then walked off. I stayed put, figure I was the back up, if
stuff was ta go wrong in a big way. Best be where I am. Watchin that one Poppy talked ta. My some even still lookin auction starts about an hour. One made young female undress ta look her over. Heard her husband tell him, see not only fit ta work Masser but look she is a breeder fit ta make good Bucks ta work Masser.

I heard those words numerous times, taday Young Bucks married bein sold askin buyers ta buy the wife even his children. Seems unless the seller says so all Chattel are ta be sold separately. They are split up. Lord I can see the concern in that ones face. Most are indifferent ta bein sold least ways they look it.

Poppy and Mister Bowman another Fella go ta the one Poppy spoke ta. I walked over near thum. Poppy say this here man is Free, I know fer a fact he is. My Pops freed him on his death. He lived on the old farm with my sister helping her make it.
Jeff here says they killed my sister an her husband took him off ta be sold. Best let this one go, my word on it is true.

The Auctioneer, looked at Poppy I have papers he was bought after the Wright place was sold off. Poppy called the man a lier best let this one go.
If he wanted he could get the law involved. Well, let's say that didn't scare him. I haves papers was his answer.

Poppy slapped the teeth out him, say he was wrong threw hundred dollars at him say this one is sold! Man kinda nodded, guess he figured do it that way. Mister Bowman looked at him said I finds out any I buy are free! I'll be back with writ ta take you ta court, Sir!

I know that was all Poppy had, was plannin on buyin few things fer Ma and a new Griswold two. I would get the other one he has. Looks at Poppy say I gots money, so buy what ya needs.

That Fella was all smiles. He thanked Poppy four times in minutes. He say thank ya Mister Will. Poppy say let's get ya back ta my place work out the new freedom papers send ya on your way ta where ever ya ta go. Or stay on live near me and by boy Thomas here. He say yesum Mister Will think I might just stay close by, Georgia isn't safe fer a free black man. Mister Bowman bought thirty of them one was a family he wouldn't let break up.

Poppy got Ma some nice cloth an a store bought dress an two Griswolds nice oak case and a brass plate ta engrave on. This auction it's set some thins to think on, it has don't think ain't ponderin it now.
Late we leave about six in the mornin. Best get some sleep. That Free mans name less I forgets Jeff Wright. Poppy never speaks about where he was from, Georgia no less.