Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Ohio Narratives   By: United States. Work Projects Administration

SLAVE NARRATIVES

A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves

TYPEWRITTEN RECORDS PREPARED BY THE FEDERAL WRITERS' PROJECT 1936 1938 ASSEMBLED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS PROJECT WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPONSORED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Illustrated with Photographs

WASHINGTON 1941

VOLUME XII

OHIO NARRATIVES

Prepared by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the State of Ohio

INFORMANTS

Anderson, Charles H.

Barden, Melissa Bledsoe, Susan Bost, Phoebe Brown, Ben Burke, Sarah Woods

Campbell, James Clark, Fleming

Davidson, Hannah Dempsey, Mary Belle

East, Nancy

Glenn, Wade

Hall, David A. Henderson, Celia

Jackson, George Jemison, Rev. Perry Sid [TR: Name also appears as Jamison]

King, Julia

Lester, Angeline

McKimm, Kisey McMillan, Thomas Mann, Sarah Matheus, John William

Nelson, William

Slim, Catherine Small, Jennie Smith, Anna Stewart, Nan Sutton, Samuel

Toler, Richard

Williams, Julia Williams, Rev. Williams, William

ILLUSTRATIONS

Charles H. Anderson

Melissa Barden Phoebe Bost

James Campbell

Angeline Lester

Richard Toler

Ruth Thompson, Interviewing Graff, Editing

Ex Slave Interview Cincinnati

CHARLES H. ANDERSON 3122 Fredonia St., Cincinnati, Ohio

[Illustration: Charles H. Anderson]

"Life experience excels all reading. Every place you go, you learn something from every class of people. Books are just for a memory, to keep history and the like, but I don't have to go huntin' in libraries, I got one in my own head, for you can't forget what you learn from experience."

The old man speaking is a living example of his theory, and, judging from his bearing, his experience has given him a philosophical outlook which comprehends love, gentleness and wisdom. Charles H. Anderson, 3122 Fredonia Street, was born December 23, 1845, in Richmond, Virginia, as a slave belonging to J.L. Woodson, grocer, "an exceedingly good owner not cruel to anyone".

With his mother, father, and 15 brothers and sisters, he lived at the Woodson home in the city, some of the time in a cabin in the rear, but mostly in the "big house". Favored of all the slaves, he was trusted to go to the cash drawer for spending money, and permitted to help himself to candy and all he wanted to eat. With the help of the mistress, his mother made all his clothes, and he was "about as well dressed as anybody".

"I always associated with high class folks, but I never went to church then, or to school a day in my life. My owner never sent me or my brothers, and then when free schools came in, education wasn't on my mind. I just didn't think about education. Now, I read a few words, and I can write my name. But experience is what counts most."

Tapping the porch floor with his cane for emphasis, the old fellow's softly slurred words fell rapidly but clearly. Sometimes his tongue got twisted, and he had to repeat. Often he had to switch his pipe from one side of his mouth to the other; for, as he explained, "there ain't many tooth es left in there". Mr. Anderson is rather slight of build, and his features are fine, his bald head shiny, and his eyes bright and eager. Though he says he "ain't much good anymore", he seems half a century old instead of "92 next December, if I can make it".

"I have been having some sick spells lately, snapped three or four ribs out of place several years ago, and was in bed for six weeks after my wife died ten year ago. But my step daughter here nursed me through it. Doctor says he doesn't see how I keep on living. But they take good care of me, my sons and step daughter. They live here with me, and we're comfortable."