Thomas Wright's Diary

New Year

                                3, January 1861
Thins haven't changed, South Carolina still wants the Federal Garrison out of Fort Sumter. Tuey and his wife, even Theo couldn't help. Him an his Da, argued again about slavery. Theo went an left fer Ripley. He livin at the Inn.

Betsy, been feelin poorly. Cough little fever, she say nothin ta worry about. Been mixin somethin in a tea. Say she will be just fine. Not bed ridden, she seems ta be gettin better. Have a bad feelin if Georgia goes, they is a war. Poppy run off fight with those of the deep south.

Mississippi, Florida, Alabama. Ta name a few screaming they gonna leave. Can see the worry in Ma's face. Think she know Poppy, a big constitutionalist, will not let this rest. Best stoke the fire, gettin late.

                                19, January 1861

Saturday, decided ta go over ta Ripley, Betsy  stayed at the new place with Ma, Poppy went with me. Needed ta check the news. Mississippi, Florida and Alabama have left the Union. Georgia, may go taday. Well, as we was entering Joe's Saloon, feller came running in from the telegraph office, Georgia done left the Union!

Poppy just leaned against the bar, I asked fer two beers. Joe nodded at us. Feller over in the corner sittin, shouted they all should just go! Don't need thum, or they slavery! Joe told Poppy don't pay him no mind Will. Wind bag all he is.

That feller well, he say somethin about he begs ta differ. Say draw a line, anythin south of it. They can be they own dang country. Slaves come up this away they is free people. Know ya two chase those runaways, fugitives ya call them. Poppy say, come on up ta the bar. Buy ya a beer, that way we ain't shoutin, talk like men. He say I will not decline, that offer. I am James Benton, Esquire.

He leaned in at Poppy, I could give a care about slavery, ya two Wright's can do as ya please. We can't make it without the south, south might not make it without the north. I figure we splits, in less than a year maybe two max, well we be a Union again. Poppy say ifin South Carolina doesn't force the issue, sir you might just be right.

After we gots back ta the new place. Poppy say son, they a shootin War, I don't know how I'll stand. It is late, fire is good think I'll get some sleep.

                                  20, January 1861

Ma an Poppy came over after Church, they was inside waitin, when me an Betsy got back. About noon I reckon, have an early supper. Ma an Betsy started on that. Poppy lit his pipe, we sat in front of the fireplace. Thomas he say, time we talk on slavery, son. Betsy gave us coffee. Poppy say Betsy if ya an Kate can come in and listen, please.

Betsy say think we have a little time Masser. Poppy shouted Kat! Ma rushed in, Poppy say. Thomas, Betsy, you two must know this. I am not in agreement with Slavery, our Constitution say it is legal, when Bowman took most of the farm. Me an Thom needed a way ta get most of the farm back.

Workin as an overseer and slave chaser, and allowing us to pay back from the small parcel of land we still held. We got most of the farm back. The old place is ours, free an clear. Thomas this place is yours, raise a family here. Don't let the likes of Bowman take it again. Now the hard part,
it comes ta war. I must side with the south, it is wrong to break the Constitution! All new States have the right to decide. Kate will give Betsy her freedom, ifin she stays be best she lives like a slave. This I say only as protection fer you both.

Betsy smiled I am free? She say! Ma said have the papers drawn up, if you like. Betsy cried some, best hold on ta those papers. We needs no trouble here, I can live with knowin I am free. Ma an Betsy went back ta cookin. Later before bed, she say Thom was no matter, felt free with you any way. Wish we could get married is all. I kissed her, might late.

                               22, January 1861

Told Betsy needed ta talk ta Theo, in Ripley should be home before supper. Betsy wantin ta get married. See if Theo can help me out some how. Think even ifin it's jump the broom, make Betsy happy. That all I want. Theo say, Tuey an few others be brinin is stuff over, Sunday next Betsy can make it formal an all here. Jump the broom in front of few slaves. I say that a work, asked Theo ifin he thought him an his Da could make up, act like father an son.

Theo say doubt that one bit, they won't ever see eye ta eye. Best let it rest. Well I gots home didn't mention the marriage thin ta Betsy want ta surprise her. What make Betsy happy I am happy.

                                 27, January 1861

Told Betsy we for go Church taday, goin ta Ripley see Theo. He got himself a small place outside a town. Visit him a spell, Tuey and few others are bringing his stuff over. She say it Sunday, Masser Bowman don't work his slaves on Sunday. I say he must be payin thum. Or they just helpin because they want ta. She say I need God in my life.

I say Betsy God is all around us, if ya needs him just look around. Goin ta Ripley, think ya like it.
Betsy didn't speak much ta me, once I say we a goin. She a wearin that pretty pale blue dress a hers, she wears it ta Church. My she looked nice.

Theo, has a really nice place tucked up in some cedar trees just aways up a hill out town. Tuey his wife Lusa, Aunt Becca she is the oldest slave at Rivers Edge. She decides ifin ya can see Mister Bowman about marriage. Few other men, most them didn't know, they weren't ta friendly.

After the hello, Theo walked me outside only ones stay in the house, be Betsy an Aunt Becca. Few minutes later, I was called in. Betsy was sittin other side the room. She asks Masser Thom, Theo and Tuey say, ya wants ta marry up Betsy, well do ya? I say yes sum I do, Aunt Becca. She say best sit over that corner by the door. Don't ya be lookin at Betsy now. I gots ta think on this some.

I didn't know what ta think, she had ta think on it some. I glanced over at Betsy, Aunt Becca an her were talking, she saw me, gave a look that could kill. Finally she asks, Mister Thom, what ya a thinkin wantin ta marry a nigres?

I say Aunt Becca, I loves her more than ya could know or feel. I wants her part of my life.

Aunt Becca say, Thom this be wrong. Never have seen such. I will grant this only because I has known ya, since a child. Must see ifin that what Betsy truly wants.

We jumped the broom, Aunt Becca say till distance ya part. Then she say kiss her Thom, ya dang fool.

By law, we can't be married, not a Christian marriage, but in my eyes an Betsy we are married. She was just a might happy. Aunt Becca, made sure those that saw, wouldn't talk. Told thum they never get permission ta get married.

                             History Tid Bits

January 29, 1861 Kansas admitted as the 34th State.

March 4, 1861 Abram Lincoln is Inaugurated President.

May 13, 1861 The first Wheeling Convention, that later formed West Virginia.

October 24, 1861 The first Transcontinental Telegraph system was completed.

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