The following year, I was hired to Mr. Wm. Barber, a Catholic
himself, as were also his slaves, all except myself. He adhered
strictly to his religious profession, praying three or four times
each day, and every Sunday morning calling up his slaves to attend
prayer, to which call I refused to respond. This refusal in me,
caused in him a strong dislike to me, insomuch that he seemed to
dislike me, and hate to see me worse than the devil, against whom he
prayed so devoutly.
I was very fond of singing Methodist hymns while at work, especially
if I was alone, the sound of which threw him into spasms of anger.
He accordingly treated me worse than any other slave upon the
plantation, all of whom were treated bad enough. Our allowance was a
quart of meal and two herrings per day. Our dinner was sent to us in
the fields, both in hot and cold weather. None of our friends were
ever permitted to come to the farm to see us.
On Easter, it being holiday among the slaves, a negro belonging to
Mr. Charles Gardner, not knowing our master’s rules, called to see
his mother and sister, whom Mr. Barber had hired, and whom he had
not seen for a long time. Our master happening to get a glimpse of
this negro, pitched upon him and endeavored to collar him. The black,
being a strong active fellow, and understanding what we call the
“Virginia hoist,” seized and threw his assailant over his head to
the distance of five feet, where he struck the ground so that his
nose ploughed the earth some distance! Before the discomfited master
could rise from the ground, the slave had effected his escape.
But poor David’s back must smart for his dexterity. Master imagined
that I invited David to our plantation for the purpose of retaliating
some of my grievances, so I must share his fate. A difficulty now
arose, for as master professed to be a Christian, he could not
consistently whip without a cause, which he could not readily find,
since he could not prove that I was in any way implicated in David’s
crime.
Still, he could not rest satisfied until I was flogged, and therefore
tried every way to find fault with me, which I knowing, did my best
to prevent. But all effort to please, on my part, was useless. He
sent me, one very cold day, a mile from the house to cut rails. The
snow was about six inches deep. I had shoes and stockings, but still,
as I had no chance to warm my feet from break of day until night, my
dinner being sent me, which I was obliged to eat frozen, my feet were
nearly frozen, and I was completely chilled. Mr. Barber watched me
the whole day, except while away at dinner, which he hastened through
as fast as possible, that he might not long lose sight of me.
When it grew dark he started for the house, bidding me follow, as
it was time to feed the cattle. As I was so cold, I thought I would
kindle a fire and warm me before going. I did so, and then started
for the house. When passing through the yard, on my way to the
cow-pen, I met Mr. B. returning, he having been there waiting for
me. He, being a holy man! did not swear directly, but said, “Confound
you, where have you been?” accompanying the question by a blow from a
four foot stick across my head.
I tried to explain the reason of my delay, but he would not listen,
and continued beating me. At last I caught hold of the stick,
wrenched it from his hands, struck him over the head, and knocked
him down, after which I choked him until he was as black as I am.
When I let him up, he ran for his gun; but when he returned I had
fled to parts unknown to him. I kept away about two weeks, staying
in the woods during the day, and coming to the quarters at night for
something to eat.
Mr. Barber, however, needing my services, as it was a very busy time,
told the slaves, if they saw me, to tell me to come home, and that
he would not whip me. This was to me a very welcome message, for I
was tired of my life in the woods, and I immediately returned home. I
went to work, as usual, thinking all was right; but soon found myself
very much mistaken.
I worked about three weeks, during which I accomplished six weeks
labor. One day, while busily engaged, hoeing up new ground, I saw two
men coming towards me, whom I soon recognized as constables, both of
whom I well knew. Upon approaching near me, the constable for our
district said, “John, you must come with me.”
I dropped my hoe and followed him. When I reached the house, I found
poor David standing bound like a sheep dumb before its shearers. We
were put up stairs to await Mr. B.’s orders, who was not then ready.
The rope was tied so tight around David’s wrists as to stop the
circulation of the blood, and give him excruciating pain. He begged
to have the rope loosened, but the officer having him in charge,
would not gratify him. The other constable, however, soon come and
relieved him.
Mr. Barber being ready, we set off for the magistrate’s office, which
was about three miles from our house. David and I were tied together,
his left being tied to my right hand. On the way the constable said
to me, “John, I always thought you was a good negro; what have you
been doing? You ought to behave so well as not to need whipping.”
I replied, “I have done nothing wrong, and if I am whipped, it shall
be the last time on that farm?”
“What will you do?” asked Mr. Barber. “Run away,” I answered. “When
we are done with you, you will not be able to run far,” said he.
“Well sir, if you whip me so that I am unable to walk, I can do you
no good; but if I can walk, I will take the balance of the year to
myself, and go home to my mistress, at Christmas.”
He did not relish this kind of talk, for he did not wish to pay my
wages and not have my service, so he told me to shut my head or he
would break it. Of course I said no more.
We soon arrived at the dreaded place, and were left seated in the
piazza awaiting our trial, a constable being present to watch us. I
asked him for a drink of water, when he said, “Would you not like
a glass of brandy?” a drink very acceptable on such occasions. I
replied in the affirmative, when he brought out a half-pint tumbler
nearly full, of which I drank the whole. This roused my courage, and
I felt brave. My expected punishment was not half as much dreaded as
before.
The court being ready, we were brought before his honor, Justice
Barber, uncle to my master. David was first tried, declared guilty,
and sentenced to have 39 lashes well laid upon his bare back.
My case was next in order, but Mr. Barber, instead of preferring any
charge against me, told the Judge he would forgive me this time,
as he thought I would do better in future. Upon this the old man,
raising his spectacles and looking at me, said, “Do you think you can
behave, so as not to have to be brought before me again?” “Yes sir,”
I answered quickly. “Well sir,” he said, “go home to your work, and
if you are brought before me again, I will order the skin all taken
from your back!”
The rope was taken off my hands, and I was told to go in peace and
sin no more. I waited to see the fate of poor David. He was taken
to the whipping post, strung up until his toes scarce touched the
ground, his back stripped and whipped until the blood flowed in
streams to the ground. When he was taken down he staggered like a
drunken man. We returned together, talking over the matter on the
way. He said, “O, I wish I could die! I am whipped for no fault of my
own. I wish I had killed him, and been hung at once; I should have
been better off.” I felt sorry for him.
I determined then, if he struck me again, I would kill him. I
expected another attack, and accordingly planned where I would
conceal his body, where it would not readily be found, in case no one
saw me perform the act. But God overruled. He had his destiny fixed,
and no mortal could resist it,—no mortal arm could stay his mighty
purpose. But I must hasten to the close of the year.
Mr. Barber had a most luxuriant crop of tobacco nearly ripe and ready
for the harvest. Tobacco is so delicate a plant, that it will not
stand the frost, and if exposed to it is thereby rendered nearly
useless. Our crops had all been gathered except two fields, when by
a sudden change in the wind to the north, it became so cold as to
threaten a frost, which would probably destroy the tobacco remaining
in the field. Mr. Barber feared this, and notwithstanding it was the
Sabbath, ordered his slaves to go and secure the remainder of the
crop.
Soon all hands were in the field at work. No other farmer in the
neighborhood went out, all, excepting Mr. B. being willing to trust
their crops to Him who had given them; although many had larger
quantities exposed. Being angry with the great Omnipotent for this
threatening arrangement of his providence, Mr. Barber fell to beating
his slaves on the Lord’s day. But his suspected enemy did not come;
his fears were groundless. The night cleared off warm, and no frost
came.
“God moves in a mysterious way,
“His wonders to perform;
“He plants his footsteps in the sea,
“And rides upon the storm.
“Deep and unfathomable mine
“Of never failing skill;
“He treasures up his bright design,
“And works his sovereign will.
“Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
“The clouds ye so much dread
“Are big with mercy, and shall break
“With blessings on your head.
“Judge not the Lord with feeble sense,
“But trust him for his grace;
“Behind a frowning providence
“He hides a smiling face.
“His purposes will ripen fast,
“Unfolding every hour;
“The bud may have a bitter taste,
“But sweet will be the flower.
“Blind unbelief is sure to err,
“And scan his works in vain;
“God is his own interpreter,
“And he will make it plain.”
We worked until midnight on Sunday, and secured all the crops, as Mr.
B. thought.
The manner of curing tobacco is, to hang it up in the barn, and put a
hot fire under it, so as to cure it gradually. But the heat must be
in proportion to the dampness of the tobacco.
All things being regulated, Mr. B. began to boast of the security of
his great crops. The following Saturday, at three o’clock, P. M., he
told his slaves that they might have the remainder of that day to
compensate for the previous Sabbath, when they had worked.
The same day, while preparing to go to confession, as usual, one of
the slaves ran in and told him that the barn was on fire! I looked
from the kitchen door, saw the smoke bursting from the roof, and ran
to the spot. Master got there before me, and within three minutes all
the slaves were upon the spot; but seeing it would be of no avail,
they did not attempt to enter the barn.
Mr. Barber, moved by his usual ambition, rushed in, notwithstanding
the slaves tried to persuade him of the danger, and plead with him to
desist; but, blinded by the god of this world, he would not listen to
their entreaties, and rushed in just as the roof was ready to fall!
When they beheld the awful sight, the wails of the slaves might have
been heard fully two miles.
He was caught by the end of the roof only, as it fell, from which, in
a minute or two, he made his escape, his clothes all on fire. He was
taken to the house, but died the next Sunday week. Before he died,
however, like Nebuchadnezzar of old, he acknowledged that God reigns
among the kingdoms of men.
This sad event transpired in the month of October, after which
nothing more worthy of note occurred while I remained in the family,
which was until Christmas. After this I returned to my mistress, who
gave me a note permitting me to get myself another home.