Thomas Wright's Diary

April

12, April 1859

Started tillin taday, nine plows came in. Nine slaves two overseers. Started at daylight work till dark. Only nine may take awhile longer than I thought off ta work Ma be here with Betsy keep an eye on thins. Hope all goes well.

Saloon was busy fer a Tuesday, man came in dinner time wanted ta post a work notice. Lookin fer men ta help out on his farm, no pay free place ta stay, meals an beer included. Pay after the plowin is done. Told him he could hang it next ta the door. He ordered a sausage gave him the beer.
Looked at me funny, say sausage ya pay fer beer is free. Have another beer ya pay. He say thanks. Didn't know ya did that.

They tilled about ten acres a piece not a bad day. Ta tired ta figure the math ate supper I am off ta bed.

13, April 1859

Poppy stopped in at the Saloon, say he has a bounty. That Taylor fella gots a runner. Poppy say he knows he crossed at Maysville. Taylor was here on business, slave was with him. Poppy had my pistols and such with him. Left soon as Joe gots at the Saloon. Figures don't want ta chase runners anymore, can't let Poppy go it alone. To dangerous ta be alone.

Poppy pretty much has this figured out, they cross normally don't head north rights away. Go west ta Ripley then swing north, or head ta Cincinnati. Just depends on what conductor they gots. Poppy decided ta be bold, go straight ta the known Conductor these parts, that Rankin feller.

We walked up the hill towards John Rankin, his home sits a top the hill. We had the town Constable with us ta search the grounds. Poppy was sure that runner was here. Most likely he is, findin him here be hard ta do. Feelin they gots hidden places all over. Think Poppy just wants ta look it over, maybe hide out near dark wait fer them to move. Couldn't find nary a thin, Poppy left smilin like he done caught thum.

We hid out about dark, wagon we could hear it comin up the hill. Poppy watched as two then three others walked out. They gots in the wagon. The guy pulled the tarp over it and started down the hill. Poppy whispered ta me, we moved down the hill watched as they turned west. We gots on our horses and followed at a distance, could see the lantern swing. Thats how we followed thum that lantern. Abouts ta Higginsport we stopped thum.

Poppy had his shotgun on thum I pulled my Griswold. Poppy shouted Sir ya best stop an uncover that wagon! They be runaways in it! That fella looked scared an harmless, those the one's ya have ta watch. He say mister I just get paid ta move thum is all! Poppy shouted don't care! Uncover thum they all goin back ta Kentucky! By law ya have ta turn thum over! Well no fight no fuss.
Five a goin back ta Kentucky. One was that Taylors property, branded like he does. We crossed at Augusta and made our way home.

14, April 1859

We rested at the new place took Taylors slave to him gots our three hundred bounty, rest were two hundred bounty from the state. Then if they auctioned get a percentage of that. Poppy gave three hundred he kept the rest. He is the owner I just helps.

Betsy an Ma were curin pork salted and put in the smoke house. Poppy an Ma headed home. Betsy hugged me say she missed me an all. We forgots all about supper. Ya know private stuff only me an her should know.

16, April 1859

Hard rain set in, almost fourth the way done. Thunder an such called work for the day. Didn't go in taday Joe say can't use me right now. Winter when men don't have ta do much but drink can have my job back. Fine gettin tired of it any ways. Think money I have put back we be fine. Betsy sure is a might frisky lan sakes wear a man out. Had biscuits an gravy, tatters an eggs for supper. Filled up but good.

Betsy might fine reader, she read from the paper.
Heard tell they is talkin a Colony fer the Freeman an the runaways in Africa. Betsy seemed a little scared of that idea. She say I was born here, don't wants ta leave. I say no worries honey, ya with me. We finds away ta keep it from happening. If it do at all. She smiled say what if we can'ts stop it? Tell her I'll pack up go with her, need be. Don't know love her more than anythin couldn't leave Poppy an Ma behind. It comes ta it, well I'll fights fer her ta stay. They won'ts take her.

I had some corn drippins an we headed off ta bed.

                               Little History

Colonizing the Free Blacks and Runaways, wasn't a new idea by 1859, Liberia was formed. A colony of Free Blacks and escaped slaves was formed on the western coast of Africa. Some Abolitionist still pushed for Colonies, even future President Abram Lincoln did well into the Civil War. Thinking they would have a better chance at Freedom and a life.

                   The American Colonization Society
        
This society was formed in 1816 in Washington, the purpose was to emigrate free blacks to Africa. The Founders were, Henry Clay, Francis Scott Key and Bushnod Washington. By 1821 the first Settlers started to arrive, 1847 Liberia became a Republic.
History Central has more information on this, if you wish to know more.

Thanks for reading, hope all are enjoying. Hope you find the little bits of History interesting. Vote comment if you care to. Thanks again Dram12.