Thomas Wright's Diary

November 1860

                             1, November 1860

Poppy is all wound up, wanting this election, to be done an over. Poppy is voting fer Stephen A. Douglas one of the Democrats. Who believed it was left up to any new States ta decide where they stood on slavery. Some southern states are calling fer succession if Linconl is elected. Me I can't vote not old nough yet. I believe Lincoln knows slavery can't be completely abolished it would destroy the south. I think he believes it a end on it's own.

Tried again ta buy Tuey and his wife, Mister Bowman won't sell thum. Betsy tells me don't worry you have tried. Think I'll wait see if Theo can change this fer me. He is due home next few days. Looking forward to it. Lan sakes hope this don't get out of hand, don't need this country breakin up. Late best get some sleep.

                            4, November 1860

Sunday took Betsy ta Church, me an Theo talked a spell. Him an his Da seem ta be talkin some. He told me, voices are getting loud in the south with worry over Lincoln. He wanted ta get close nough
ta the border ta cross it if need be ta join the Federal Army ifin it came ta War. Asked ifin he could possibly get is Da ta sell Tuey an his wife. Wanted ta free thum, maybe have Tuey work an run a Still. He said he would try, might get it worked out.

Uncle Thom well, he told me he was leavin headin ta Virginia again. He was packed an on his horse ta tell Poppy an Ma.  Told him luck an stay away from trouble. Uncle Thom smiled an rode off.

Ride home was good Betsy was playful an talkative. Sunday she is about always in a good mood. Checked the barn, an watched the stars, fer a spell. My never get over just how many they is. One day I'll figure out, why they is so many. Late think I'll head up, see ifin Betsy is awake.

                             6, November 1860

Election Day, heard the cannon go off across the river, signalin the poles were open. What will this day brin? How will the country stand after the results? Betsy say, Thom they won't be no change. Be same as before, Blacks be slaves till they die. That hurt so, thinkin I am keepin her from freedom. She hugged me say wouldn't have it any way but, the way it is Thom. Didn't do a thin all day, Poppy stopped by after he voted, we talked some an had a cider.

Betsy fixed an old hen that stopped layin made chicken an dumpins my it smelled like heaven most the day. Some reason we both felt like what ever may come we gots each other. Strange thin
I feel like what is comin could undo us all. Tear us apart, take year's ta put us back. Worry does more harm than good, Poppy say that, yes he would.

After supper me an Betsy took a walk around the place, weren't ta awful cold. Fer November just slight chill. Sun still low not quite set yet. We walked arms around each other. Laughed an talked mostly bout nothin. Just us two passin time.

Little after dark we went in, I stoked the fire good.
We headed ta bed. Been a long day, now the wait begins.

                              8, November 1860

It's not been confirmed, the results point at Mister Lincoln, bein President. His views no different than the others, just no spread of slavery. I have no problem with it. Constitution say different. If they change that, then he gets what he wants.

Poppy, he isn't happy, not about Lincoln. He is worried what may happen. Poppy say, Thom no matter what happens, we can elect new Presidents
or other officials. End of they term. Those positions aren't given, they be earned. Poppy just looked like he knew, thins ago wrong. Some States already callin fer secession. Leave the Union, why is that, even legal. Guess it is, think those States must know the Law. Least ways that is my thinkin.

                                 12, November 1860

Monday, happy not clearin land this fall. Hold off any more a that, see how harvest goes next fall. Don't need ta over grow are means an all. Went ta Ripley taday, look at the paper. James Chestnut an James H. Hammond resigned from the Senate, on the tenth of this month, well Hammond next day. Both from South Carolina. On the ninth South Carolina, called fer a convention on December seventeenth to decide if the state should secede from the Union. What they a thinkin?

Joe thinks, I best get ta Ohio. Say maybe best ta get north ifin I can. I say I go way Kentucky go. Then I say hope we still be friends. Joe shook his head, then nodded we still be friends Thom.

Poppy he looked out a place, think this verbal war a gettin ta him. Poppy say may live in Kentucky, I go with Georgia. That's where I am from! Ma from Virginia, I a go with thum also. Then he say, hell just don't know, what I a do Thomas. Poppy say never much cared fer slavery just away ta pay Bowman back was all. States do have they rights, that can't be taken away.

My thinkin is preserve the Union, then see what we can do about Slavery. Hate usin slaves, I have a small farm, those Plantations are large. Could they manage without thum slaves, don't know? Cotton, tobacco, rice, corn, sugar. Most all those grown on large Plantations.

Betsy asked why, Poppy was upset, told her looks like we is fallin apart. The country is lookin at dividin. Fear has set in, fear of what may come. She ask what that was, told her they fear they gonna lose Slavery. Betsy say only thin I've known is Slavery, till ya owned me Thom. That ain't ownin
we are bonded like marriage. I say think that best way ta put it.

Think this is the best place to stop, I'll have a chapter with some History Tidbits, the next chapter. Found something very interesting for it. Want to double check the facts first.

Thanks for your support.
Dram12