Thomas Wright's Diary

November/ December

              20, November 1859

Ma been happy an actin normal, good thin was worried. Guess Poppy an Betsy were right. Just the travel and worry got to her. All the land is clear, Slaves gone, ya know hate usin thum, the Slaves only way can afford ta get thins done. Hell be broke had ta pay hired help ta get it done.

Figure they least workin here, have some control they treatment. Mister Bowman treats thum good.
Poppy say better than most do, other owners they don't treat thum as well. Just don't like it, is all feel wrong about it.

That corn did ferment off, Mister Bowman sent Tuey over ta help, he is one the slaves that help work his still. Tuey saw the barrel I planned on puttin it in. He say Mister Thom best burn the inside that barrel. We don't know what been in it.

Don't want that nice corn drippin ta taste bad. Lot more work than I figured. We gots about thirty gallons in that barrel. It didn't taste bad at all.
Best hide this barrel, uncle Thom was the one brought Tuey over an took him back. Lan sakes Uncle Thom could drink me dry.

                           28, November 1859

Turned cold past few days, had some cider my it tasted good. Betsy used some in hash ta make gravy. My it had deer sausage an tatters few carrots after that cooked off some, she poured in some eggs. My what a supper we had.

Normal day, just few things around the farm ta do.
First of the month go over ta Ripley get the news and talk a spell ta Joe. May take Betsy get her few yards of cloth ta make herself, a nice dress. Poppy been gone, he went ta Wheelin with Mister Bowman. Poppy didn't say why he was needed.

Give me reason ta check on Ma also, Ma can take care herself, just like ta make sure she is fine. Wind is goin like Runner after a runaway. Thinks I am done fer the day.

                                 6, December 1859

Monday, went ta Ripley seen Joe got the paper. This one out of Cincinnati. First off, Betsy came along. Got her some nice cloth pale blue. Had dinner at Joe's. Lan sakes about got myself in trouble. Feller said Joe didn't know ya had whores
ya know Fancy Girls.

Joe pointed at me, Betsy took my arm. Joe lied, thinkin that was best way out it. Joe say she is Free! Ya know I don't care who comes in long they gots money. Keep quiet or ya have ta leave. Feller said she looks white, can tell way she acts she Fancy Girl. Bet lot people bedded her. Damn Nigger don't keep company with thum, unless it's a bed warmer! He walked out givin Betsy the eye.

I been mad all day over that. They hung old Brown on the second of December. Least that behind us.
Had my Griswold would shot that man. Joe said Betsy best leave with him, he take her down ta the boat get her across the River ta the new place. I should leave about an hour later. I watched the Saloon fer him. Betsy say that guy were outside waitin on her ta come out. Known that I would hunt him down. Didn't tell me till we gots home.

We spoke about Tuey an his wife. Thinkin I should talk ta Mister Bowman about buyin thum both. Give thum they Freedom. Place ta live at The Old Place, help work the farm. Have ta check with Poppy on the way they paid. Ifin he agrees think I'll do it. Late an I am tired.

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