Name of Interviewer: S. S. Taylor
Subject: Biographical Sketch of Robert Lofton
Story--Information (If not enough space on this page add page)
This information given by: Robert Lofton
Place of Residence: 1904 Cross Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
Occupation: Farmer (no longer able to work)
Age: 82
[TR: Personal information moved from bottom of form.]
Robert Lofton was born March 11, 1855 in McDonogh, Georgia. His master
lived in town and owned two Negro women and their children. One of
these was Lofton's mother.
His father was a Negro who lived back of him and belonged to the local
postmaster. He had a wagon and did public hauling for his master, Dr.
Tie. He was allowed to visit his wife and children at nights, and was
kept plentifully supplied with money by his master.
Lofton's master, Asa Brown, bought, or acquired from time to time in
payment of debts, other slaves. These he hired out to farmers,
collecting the wages for their labor.
After the war, the Lofton family came to Arkansas and lived in Lee
County just outside of Oak Forest. They were share croppers and
farmers throughout their lives. He has a son, however, a war veteran
and unusually intelligent.
Robert Lofton is a fine looking old man, with silky white hair and an
octoroon appearance, although the son of two colored persons.
He remembers scarcely anything because of fading mental powers, but
he is able to take long walks and contends that only in that way can
he keep free from rheumatic pains. He speaks of having died recently
and come back to life, is extremely religious, and is fearful of
saying something that he should not.
"I was in McDonogh, Georgia when the surrender came. [HW: That is
where I was born on March 11, 1855.] There was plenty of soldiers in
that little town--Yankees and Rebels. And they was sending mail out
through the whole country. The Rebels had as good chance to know what
was in the mail as the Yanks (his mother's husband's master was
postmaster) did.