This page contains a lightly annotated list of interviews in the Supplement, Series 2, of the published WPA slave narratives, edited by George P. Rawick. It only includes the names of people interviewed who actually lived in Texas prior to emancipation.

Supplement, Series 2

Volume 2

Frank L. Adams

Frank L. Adams is an 84 year old man who was born near Jasper, TX in 1853. He says that during the war he never saw any large group of soldiers but every now and then a northern scout would come to their farm and take food or other supplies

S. B. Adams

S.B. Adams was born in Gatesville, Coryell County Texas in 1858 and lived there or near there for his entire life. Mr. Adams, S.B. Adam’s owner, was made headquarters for soldiers in the area and S.B. Adams recalls seeing lots of soldiers and even some generals including Major D. Arnold, Captain McLennan, Captain Bob Roberts, General McAdoo, Major Erath, and even General Lee.

Will Adams

Will Adams was born in Harrison County, TX in 1857. He mentions the war but only recalls knowing when the war started and when it ended with nothing specific regarding soldiers. Recalling the end of the war, slaves whose masters were good to them stayed and slaves whose masters were bad to them left.

Gus Alexander

Gus Alexander was born in Texas in 1864, one year before the Civil War’s end. Because of his young age, he does not remember anything about the war itself.

J. C. Alexander

J.C. Alexander was born in Kentucky in 1850, but moved to Texas when he was six or seven years old.

Sarah Allen

Sarah Allen was born in Virginia but moved to Freedom, Texas before the Civil War. After the war, Sarah and her mother stayed with her old master for a year and then left to rent some land.

Andy Anderson

Andy Anderson, 94 years old in 1937, was born in Williamson Co., Tx. During the civil war, he was sold to Mr. House and moved to Blanco, Tx. After the war, he was hired out for $2.00 a month for farm work.

Nancy Antwine

Nancy Antwine, 84 years old in 1937, was born near Columbia Tx.

Manuel Armstrong

Manuel Armstrong was born in Magnolia Springs, Tx. After the war ended, Mr. Armstrong remembers seeing soldiers passing for three days on their way home. Before the end of the war, he mentions that deserters of the military were hiding in the woods so it could be dangerous to venture out there as they did not want to be found. Mr. Armstrong says they would whip children into scaring them not to tell anyone about their whereabouts. After the war, his father rented land from their old master, and Manuel farmed for as long as his father lived.

Wash Armstrong

Wash Armstrong was born in Cherokee County Texas toward the end of the war. He does not remember anything about the war or about being a slave.

Stearlin Arnwine

Stearlin Arnwine was born in 1853 near Jacksonville, Tx. He remembers one man, Gates, brought his slaves from Louisiana in order to escape Union troops.

Sarah Ashley

Sarah Ashley, 93 in 1937, was born in Mississippi but moved to Texas when she was five years old. She was then sold to another owner and moved to Cold Spring, Texas four years before the war. Right after the war, her master told her that she was free and gave her a bale of cotton and told her to do what she wished with it. She sold it for $50 but then lent it to someone who never repaid her. With no money, she went to cook for a man who told her she would get paid $5 a month but ended up never paying her.

Lizzie Atkins

Lizzie Atkins was born in Washington County, Tx in 1850. After the war, her and all of the other slaves working on her plantation did not want to leave, so they all stayed on as farmers. Directly after the war was harder than during slavery, though, as they had less food and they had to hunt game in the woods outside the plantation. Most of the time they were not paid for any work they did.

George Austin

George Austin was born in 1862 near Atlanta, Tx. He was too young to remember the war or slavery.

Lou Austin

Lou Austin was born in 1850 near Crockett, Houston County, Tx.

Henry Baker

Henry Baker, around 80 at the time of interview, was born in Virginia, but moved to Texas during the war. Mr. Baker does not remember the move to Texas as he was too young but his siblings told him that their decided to move during the war and that the Yankees chased after their master and he took off towards Texas while Mr. Baker and the other slaves stayed with Mr. Christian. (This anecdote seems to suggest that Henry Baker was refugeed). They were moved to Washington County Tx, and their master was waiting for them when they got there. Henry Baker recalls one day, during the war, looking up and seeing 200-300 soldiers coming down the road. The soldiers arrived and told them that they were free.

James Barber

James Barber was born in 1858 in Brazoria, Tx. After the war ended, Union soldiers pitched their camp on a bluff opposite to where Brazoria was and says that the white people of the town were skittish. James Barber and his mother were also hired out to other farmers to work, but no specifics were given.

Jim Barclay

Jim Barclay was born around 1855 in Woodville, TX. He saw some confederate soldiers during the war on r and d. He also saw some Union soldiers 2-3 weeks after emancipation.

John Barker

John Barker, 84 in 1937, was born in Ohio but moved near Houston, TX before the civil war (no specific year given, but it is not likely he was brought as a refugeed slave). After obtaining his freedom, he stayed working for his previous masters.

Joe Barnes

Joe Barnes was born in Tyler county, TX in 1858. He never saw any soldiers during or after the war. After the war, he stayed on his plantation for a year and then moved to Beaumont.

Lucy Barnes

Lucy Barnes, 84 years old in 1937, was born in Houston Texas. She remembers soldiers killing General MacGruder and even says she was at his funeral.

Amelia Barnett

Amelia Barnett was born in 1843 in Alabama. She cannot remember exactly, but she moved to Texas at a young age. She is too old to remember many specifics about her time during the war. After the war, Amelia stayed working for her previous master for six months gathering crops but was never paid for her work. One day she just decided to leave and walked to another family’s home where she had a friend.

Darcus Barnett

Darcus Barnett was born in 1855 in Dresden, TX.

Jake Barrens

Jake Barrens was born in Overton, TX in 1856. After the war, Jake and her mother stayed with their previous masters for five years Then, they both left and Jake’s mother was a domestic servant for another family and Jake performed farm work for the family.

Armstead Barrett

Armstead Barrett was born in Walker County, TX in 1847. The first year after being set free, he farmed his own land, but did not make much money.

John Bates

John Bates was born in Arkansas in 1852 but moved to Limestone County Texas when he was young, presumably before the war.

Harrison Beckett

Harrison Beckett was born in San Augustine, TX, but no year is given (he was “pretty small” at emancipation). He does not remember seeing any soldiers during the war. Directly after the war, Mr. Beckett and all of the slaves on the same plantation stayed and worked on the plantation as freemen.

Minerva Bendy

Minerva Bendy, 83 in 1937, was born in Alabama but moved close to Woodville, Texas when she was 5. When the war started, she remembers seeing confederate troops drilling in Woodville. She would take care of the babies when the families would go to watch the drills. Directly after the war, her and the other slaves were let loose in the woods. It was a bad time, says Ms. Bendy.

Charlotte Beverly

Charlotte Beverly was born in Montgomery County, TX. Ms. Beverly frequently saw soldiers during the war and even knitted socks for them at night. Her and her husband were married by a Union soldier.

Della Mun Bibles

Della Mun Bibles was born in Missouri but her master took her and the rest of his slaves to Bosque County, Texas during the first year of the civil war (refugeed). There, Ms. Bibles did not see any soldiers or anything else related to the war. She estimates that she was 8 years old at emancipation. Directly after the war, Ms. Bibles, along with her mother and uncle, stayed on the plantation to pick cotton for their old master.

Francis Black

Francis Black was born in Mississippi around 1850. She was stolen from there and brought to New Orleans and eventually Jefferson, TX. After emancipation, Francis stayed with her previous master for five years. During the war, Francis saw Union soldiers on boats twice, and then after the war she saw Union soldiers come to run the town.

Quintin Boldin

Quintin estimated that he was 86 in 1837 and that he was born somewhere is East Texas. After the war, Quintin and his family performed odd jobs and that they were paid. (although he does not know how much since he was too young)

Elvira Boles

Elvira Boles, 94 in 1937, was born in Mississippi but was refugeed to Cherokee County, Texas during the last year of the Civil War. On their way to Texas, they had to frequently dodge Union troops. After the war, she and her husband went from place to place looking for work, but it was very hard to find at it was a rough time. During the war, she never saw any Union soldiers but she did see some Confederate soldiers. According to litwack1979, Boles also remembered burying a child on the road to Texas. See Gutenberg transcription. Boles says that her master “said dey was runnin’ us from de Yankees to keep us, but we was free and didn’ know it. … Dey said we’d never be free iffen dey could git to Texas wid us, but de people in Texas tol’ us we’s free.”

Betty Bormer

Betty Bormer was born in 1857 in Johnson Station, TX. During the war, she did see Union soldiers and she witnessed them driving off cattle from the plantation she was working on in order to kill and eat for themselves and one day she saw soldiers steal horses from the plantation. After the war, her previous master gave Ms. Bormer’s family a plot of land to farm (at least until he passed away seven years later) and her and her family farmed.

Charley Bowen

Charley Bowen was born in 1845 in Alabama but was brought to Gilmer, TX before the Civil War began. During the war, Charley remembers seeing government wagons and soldiers marching down the road near his house. After the war, he saw about 400 Union soldiers pass and they came by the house to ask for water. After the year, Charley and his father stayed on the plantation for four or five years.

Harrison Boyd

Harrison Boyd, 15 years old at emancipation, was born in Rusk county, TX near Henderson. He saw soldiers during the war and saw them confiscating corn from his master and other plantation owners from around town. The corn was put in a huge pile and Mr. Boyd was in charge of watching the pile until the General arrived. After, Mr. Boyd saw the soldiers set up camp there for three or four days where they spent their time stealing and eating chickens from different farms. After the war, Harrison stayed on his plantation for four years.

Isabella Boyd

Isabella Boyd was born in Virginia but moved to Texas before the Civil War began. She saw lots of soldiers during the war who set up camps near her but she does not know whether they were Union or Confederate. After the war, Isabella stayed and was a cook for her previous masters.

Monroe Brackins

Monroe Brackins was born in 1853 in Mississippi but was brought to Medina County, TX at the age of 2. After the war, Mr. Brackins and his family continued to work for their previous owners for a short time, but then moved onto their own land within a year after the war. Mr. Brackins was barely aware of any war going on because he was so far in the countryside.

Gus Bradshaw

Gus Bradshaw was born in Alabama but was brought to Port Caddo, Texas as a young boy in the early 1850s (he estimates that he was around 20 at emancipation). After the war, Mr. Bradshaw remained with his previous owners for ten years. He does not remember much about the war.

Wes Brady

Wes Brady was born in 1849 in Harrison County, TX. After the war, he stayed with his previous master for seven months but was never paid anything. After seven months, Mr. Brady and his mother left and farmed on their own.

Jacob Branch

Jacob Branch was born in New Orleans but was brought to Double Bayou, TX when he was two years old. He estimates that he was around 14 at emancipation. He remembers seeing lots of soldiers and being tasked him bathing soldiers to try and help cure rheumatism. He discusses some issues immediately after the war of run-away slaves who were living in the forests or in Mexico who did not know they were free yet (these issues are never explained though). Immediately after the war, Jacob worked pulling up potato hills.

Minerva Bratcher

Minerva Bratcher was born in 1851 in Sabine County, TX near Milam. Minerva does not remember much about the war. After the war, Minerva stayed and worked as a maid for her old Mistress.

Fannie Brown

Fannie Brown was born in Virginia but was brought to Belton, TX when she was five years old. She does not remember much about the war.

Fred Brown

Fred Brown was born in 1853 in Louisiana but was refugeed to Kaufman County, TX during the Civil War. When the war ended, Union soldiers came and killed Mr. Brown’s overseer and told Mr. Brown that he was free. Remembers that before coming to Texas, “de soldiers passes by lots of times, both de ‘federates and de ’blue bellies’, but we’s never bothered with dem.” After the war, his father returned to Louisiana, but he stayed in Texas working in Henderson, Dallas, and Houston. See Gutenberg transcription.

Volume 3

Josie Brown

Josie Brown, around 80 years old in 1938, was born in Victoria, TX. After emancipation, Josie stayed with her Mistress for about a year until she passed away.

Steve Brown

Steve Brown was born in 1859 in Alabama but was refugeed to McLennan County, TX in 1864. After the war, Steve and his family became sharecroppers on their previous master’s plantation.

Vinnie Brunson

Vinnie Brunson was born around 1861 in Freestone County, TX. Right after the war, Mr. Brunson and his mother had soldiers come by their door and tell them that they were free. They both stayed on the plantation for a few years after emancipation.

Martha Spence Bunton

Martha Spence Bunton was born in 1856 in Tennessee but was brought to Montopolis, Texas (no year is given but presumably before the Civil War began). After emancipation, Martha attended school and was able to learn to read and write.

James Burleson

James Burleson was born in 1852 near Bastrop, TX.

Aunt Phoebe Jane Burrell

Aunt Phoebe Jane Burrell was born in Georgia in 1850 but moved to Texas when she was a small girl. She says she was staying with Governor Hubbard when she was told she was free, so this may allude to being hired out but no specifics are given.

Wesley Burrell

Wesley Burrell was born in Washington County, TX in 1851 and then moved to Burleson county when he was a boy. He says that right before emancipation there was an influx of refugeed slaves and settlers who were on the run.

Sam Bush

Sam Bush was born in 1860 in Ellis County, TX. The only thing he remembers about the war was seeing Confederate soldiers returning after the fighting was over.

William Byrd

William Byrd was born in Walker County, TX in 1840. William’s master was a Confederate officer during the war so he brought William along with him. When the war was over, William was told he was free and to make his way back to Texas on his own. Once he got back to his old plantation, he stayed and worked on the farm for about a year.

Jeff Calhoun

Jeff Calhoun was bon in 1838 in Alabama but moved to Texas before the Civil War. At the time of the War, Mr. Calhoun was living in Stewart Mills, Freestone County, TX. During the war, Mr. Calhoun hauled corn to the Confederate soldier camp which was located near the Navarre-Freestone County line. Then, Mr. Calhoun was made a cook for the Confederate army and actually lived in the soldier camp, so he had lots of contact with soldiers. At one point, he was considered for a position actually fighting in the war, but he was passed over for another man who ended up getting killed and as Mr. Calhoun put it, “I’se shore glad I’se wuz a sorry cook er hit would have been me stadda him.” (610-611) Towards the end of the war, Mr. Calhoun herded horses for the Confederate army. Directly after the war, he got a job with a travelling doctor who paid him $6 a month.

Simp Campbell

Simp Campbell was born in 1860 in Harrison County, TX. He remembers seeing Union soldiers returning home after the war ended. He stayed with his previous owners until he was 23 years old.

James Cape

James Cape was born in South East Texas. He estimated that he was over 100 years old in 1937. He actually joined the Confederate army so he was not in Texas during the Civil War. But directly after the war he returned to Texas and went to Gonzales County and got a job herding cattle. Eventually, Mr. Cape claims that he accidentally worked for Jesse James, the infamous outlaw whom Mr. Cape says paid him very well.

Richard Carruthers

Richard Carruthers thought that he was over 100 years old in 1938. He was born in Tennessee but was brought to Bastrop County, TX. After the war, he remembers soldiers coming home and having a large feast at his plantation.

Allen Carthan

Allen Carthan was born in 1863 near Manor, TX. Him and his family stayed on their previous plantation for three years after emancipation.

Jack Cauthern

Jack Cauthern was born in 1852 near Austin, TX. At the end of the war, Mr. Cauthern witnessed “a string of soldiers as long as this street comin’ down back of the field” (page 668) blowing bugles. Mr. Cauthern stayed on the plantation after emancipation.

Ben Chambers

Ben Chambers, 87 in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Woodville, Texas when he was “a good big boy,” (670) presumably before the Civil War had started. When the war was over, Mr. Chambers was accompanying his master to Woodville when he saw a Union soldier who told Mr. Chambers that he was free. Mr. Chambers’ master had not told him or any of his other slaves that they were free and so Ben Chambers returned to the plantation and told all of the slaves they were free, which he received a whipping for. Directly after the war, Mr. Chambers stayed and helped around the plantation for six months.

Lucy Chambers

Lucy Chambers was born in 1851 near Crockett, Houston County, TX. She remembers seeing soldiers walking by her house during the Civil War.

Sally Banks Chambers

Sally Chambers was born in Louisiana but was brought to Liberty, TX when she was very young.

Harriet Chesley

Harriet Chesley, 12 years old at emancipation, was born in Harrison County, TX. She stayed living on her old plantation following the war.

Henry Childers

Henry Childers was born in 1844 in Oensville, TX.

Jeptha Choice

Jeptha Choice was born in 1835 near Henderson, TX. During the war, Mr. Choice frequently saw soldiers because harnesses were manufactured on his plantation and Mr. Choice spent his time during the war working at the tan yard. After the war, his old master’s new son-in-law who was an ex-Confederate colonel paid for Mr. Choice’s schooling and he “learned through fractions.” (712)

Anthony Christopher

Anthony Christopher was born in 1851 at West Columbia, TX. After the war, soldiers came and forced Mr. Christopher’s old master to set his slaves free. After the war, Mr. Christopher’s father bought some land and he and the rest of Anthony’s family farmed the new land.

Amos Clark

Amos Clark was born in 1841. He moved to Belton, TX presumably before the Civil War began. After the war, Mr. Clark stayed with his previous master.

Harrison Cole

Harrison Cole was born in Galveston, TX in 1861.

Hattie Cole

Hattie Cole, 83 in 1937, was born in Ft. Worth, TX. Ms. Cole stayed on her previous master’s plantation after emancipation.

Betty Coleman

Betty Coleman, 85 in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Texas just before the Civil War began. After emancipation, Ms. Coleman and her family stayed with her previous masters for a month and a half before being hired out to other farmers.

Preely Coleman

Preely Coleman was born in 1852 in South Caroline but was just a month old when he was brought to Alto, TX. After emancipation, Preely Coleman and his mother’s family went to work at another plantation and Mr. Coleman was hired out to other farms as well.

Andrew Columbus

Andrew Columbus was born in 1859 in Davis County, TX near Linden. Mr. Columbus and his mother stayed with their previous master for fifteen years after emancipation.

Jake Compton

Jake Compton was born in 1959 in Waco, TX. During the war, Mr. Compton remembers Yankee soldiers camping very close to where he lived and him and other children would go to the camp after the soldiers had left and look for leftover food. After emancipation, Mr. Compton went to school in Waco, “Central Texas College for Negroes.

Josephine Tippit Compton

Josephine Compton was born in 1862 five miles north of Waco, TX.

Lucius Cooper

Lucius Cooper was born in 1847 in South Caroline but was refugeed to McClellan County, Texas during the early part of the Civil War. After emancipation, Lucius’s family left for another farm but Lucius stayed with his previous master, where eventually he was made a speaker in the local church and licensed him to preach.

Laura Cornish

Laura Cornish, 12 or 13 at emancipation, was born near Dayton, TX.

Jane Cotton

Jane Cotton, 90 in 1937, was born in Walker County, TX. Directly after the war, Ms. Cotton stayed on her previous master’s plantation for $2 per month until her master returned from the Civil War (he was injured and had to wait until he was recovered before returning home).

Volume 4

John Crawford

John Crawford was born in 1856 in Manor, Travis County, TX. After emancipation, John Crawford and his family became sharecroppers.

Green Cumby

Green Cumby, 86 in 1937, was born in Henderson, TX.

Tempie Cummins

Tempie Cummins was born in Brookeland, TX at some time during the Civil War, she guesses 1862.

Kate Curry

Kate Curry was born in 1834 in Louisiana but was brought to Texas right before the Mexican-American War. She moved to Springfield, TX at some point before the Civil War.

Parilee Daniels

Parilee Daniels was born in Red River County, TX in 1846. Parilee Daniels nursed soldiers from both sides of the war after a battle near Red River County. After emancipation, Ms. Daniels stayed working on her previous plantation for 20 cents a day. She described conditions after the war as “them times was just hell on the negro race cause they was turned loose without any money, clothes, or anything to eat – no place to go, and the worst part of it we could not read or write or hold any kind of job except farm work.” (1041) She also describes the KKK keeping her and other ex-slaves from searching for work or even going into town on evenings.

Katie Darling

Katie Darling was born in 1849 nine miles southeast of Marshall, TX. She remembers the battle at Mansfield well: the field was all torn up with cannon holes, she could clearly hear the cannon fire, and a Union soldier even came to her door with a pistol. After the battle, Union soldiers stayed there for weeks and there were Union soldiers all over the plantation. Ms. Darling stayed with her previous master after emancipation for five years but: Katie says: “Mistress whip me after the War just like she did before.” (1051)

Carey Davenport

Carey Davenport was born in 1855 in Walker County, TX. During the war, Carey saw Confederate soldiers walking down the road, but there was no fighting near Carey’s residence. After emancipation, Mr. Davenport attended public school and eventually became a preacher.

Campbell Davis

Campbell Davis was born in Harrison County in 1852. Mr. Davis remembers seeing soldiers on horseback and in wagons coming and going down the road when the war first began. He also saw a band of soldiers all dressed in uniforms when they came to neighboring plantation. After the war had ended, he saw soldiers coming back from the war and they threw cannon balls along the road.

Mary Davis

Mary Davis was born in 1864 in Bastrop, TX. After the war, Mary and her family rented land from their previous masters.

Tob Davis

Tob Davis, 87 in 1937, was born 13 miles north of Nacogdoches, TX. During the war, Mr. Davis never saw any soldiers but directly after the war some Confederate soldiers passed by on their way home, and then later he saw some Union soldiers come through. After emancipation, all of the families, including Tob’s, stayed on the plantation while “jus’ de young bucks goes off.” (1084)

Eli Davison

Eli Davison was born in 1844 in West Virginia but was brought to Madison County, TX in 1858. After emancipation, Mr. Davis’s previous master forced all of the slaves to leave overnight but luckily his children allowed Mr. Davison and the other ex-slaves to stay with them. Describing these conditions, Mr. Davison says “I would have been in a terrible fix if my former Maser’s children hadn’t been in this county.” (1105)

Mollie Dawson

Mollie Dawson was born in 1852 in Navarro County, TX. Mollie, her mother, and her stepfather all stayed with their previous owners for two years after emancipation. She did not see many soldiers during the war but did see many returning home afterwards and describes them as ragged and dirty.

Nelson Taylor Densen

Nelson Taylor Densen was born in 1847 in Arkansas but was brought to Marlin, Texas in 1854, Mr. Densen became his master’s body guard during the Civil War and accompanied him first to New Mexico and then to Louisiana

Mary Dodson

Mary Dodson was born in 1848 in La Grange, TX.

Any Domino

Amy Domino, in her 80s in 1937, was born in Alabama but moved near Rockland, TX before the Civil War. She remembers seeing some soldiers during the Civil War.

Ed Domino

Ed Domino, around seven years old at emancipation, was born in Victoria, TX but moved to Woodville, TX when he was very young. He remembers seeing Confederate soldiers “coming home in droves” after the War ended. (1218) He also recalls Union soldiers coming into town, setting up camp, and making sure that slaves were being set free.

Fannie McCullough Driver

Fannie Driver was born in 1857 near Seguin, TX. Ms. Driver’s previous master did not inform her or her family that they were free after the Civil War and Union soldiers had to come and tell them they were free.

George Earle

George Earle was born around 1850 in Jacksonville, TX.

Willie Easter

Willie Easter was born in 1852 near Nacogdoches, TX but moved to McClennan County, TX when he was two years old.

Minerva Edwards

Minerva Edwards was born in 1850 near Henderson, TX. Ms. Edward’s master did not tell her that she was free, and Union soldiers had to come to her plantation and tell her (a year after emancipation). She describes the conditions after the war as being very harsh, especially in regards to the KKK. “The Klu Kluxers would whip you nearly to death if you do anything they didn’t like. There was no law to take you to. At that time a Negro darsn’t be caught out at night…. This went on six or seven years after freedom.” (1267)

Mary Kincheon Edwards

Mary Kincheon Edwards says she was born in 1810 (making her 127 years old at the time of the interview) in Louisiana. She does not remember when she moved to Texas, but it was prior to the Civil War. She stayed with her former masters after the Civil War.

Mary Edwards

Mary Edwards, 84 in 1937, was born in North Carolina but was brought near Brenham, Texas when she was two years old. Mary was hired out “to do nursin’ fo’ people who didn’ own no slaves.” (1282) She was hired out until she was set free when she was about eleven years old and it was 30 miles away from her plantation. In regards to the family she worked for: “they paid me fo’ my work, and my mawster got the money.” (1284)

Tempe Elgin

Tempe Elgin was born in 1862 in Arkansas but was brought to Burleson County, TX when she was very young (during the Civil War).

Amy Else

Amy Else was born in 1848 in Marshall, TX. After the Civil War, Ms. Else says that two Union soldiers came to their house, his former master hid in the backyard, the soldiers came in the door and started breaking things. Then, Ms. Else’s father hit one of the soldiers and broke his back and then the other one left. “That was done while the ‘Yankee’ soldiers was camped at Marshall. They done their devilment at night after they after they was off duty.” (1304)

Betty Farrow

Betty Farrow was born in 1847 in Virginia, but moved to Sherman, Texas three years before the Civil War began. After the War, Betty and her family stayed with their former masters: “‘Twas our home an’ dey was good to us, ’twarnt any reason to leave.” (1333)

Ellen Nora Ford

Ellen Nora Ford, seven years old at emancipation, was born in Mississippi but was brought to Eagle Lake, TX.

Sarah Ford

Sarah Ford, 14-16 at emancipation, was born in West Columbia, TX. At the end of the war, some Union soldiers came into town and read a proclamation guaranteeing slaves their freedom. After emancipation, Ms. Ford’s former master told her father that he was not welcome on the plantation anymore and so they left for East Columbia and farmed.

Sam Forge

Sam Forge, 15 at emancipation, was born in Fairfield, Freestone County, TX. Mr. Forge remembers right after the Civil War ended, “De Yankees send a nigger company of soljers to keep down trouble an’ dey is stationed over to what dey call Cotton Gin.” (1370-1371)

Millie Forward

Millie Forward, 95 in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Jasper, TX at a very young age. After the Civil War, lots of Union soldiers came through Jasper, enough to “sound like de roar of a storm comin’” (1384) with each officer having his wife accompany him on horseback. After emancipation, Ms. Forward, her sister, and her brother bought a plot of land and farmed it.

Mat Fowler

Mat Fowler was born in Georgia around 1850 but was brought to Hamilton, TX just prior to the outbreak of the Civil War. Mr. Fowler remembers the battle at Manfield: “the cannons was roaring like thunder and gunpowder smoke in the air looked like black clouds.” (1398) After emancipation, Mr. Fowler stayed five years with his former master.

Rosanna Frazier

Rosanna Frazier, 10 or 12 at emancipation, was born in Mississippi but was brought near Woodville, TX when she was very young. She remembers seeing two or three soldiers spying around right after the Civil War’s end.

Volume 5

Mary Gaffney

Mary Gaffney was born in Mississippi in 1846 but was brought to Madison County, TX in 1860. She stayed with her former master for 8-10 years but says “we did not have an easy time, nosir, because everything we got we had to work for.” (1453) She describes more conditions immediately after emancipation: “if we were caught in town without out white man with us we got run out by the other white people, as then we was lower than a dog, that was the way the white people saw us.” (1454)

Hattie Gates

Hattie Gates was born in Jefferson, TX (she does not know the exact year but she was a young girl at emancipation). She remembers as follows about the Civil War: “I kin member de Yankees stoppin’ an paradin’ de streets an gittin’ de niggers ter go an help dem fight. Dey tole dem dat e’fn dey go an help dem dey would be free befo’ long, dat de war would soon be over.” (1458) Additionally, she remembers a Union general coming into town and giving a speech to a large crowd. (she says someone told her that it was Grant)

Mary Anne Gibson

Mary Anne Gibson was born in 1861 near Austin, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Gibson and her parents left their plantation for Spicewood Springs where her father made a living making and selling charcoal.

Scot Glen

Scot Glen was born in Jasper County, TX (no birth year is given but he was “jis’ a li’l feller in slav’ry time.” (1509) He remembers seeing soldiers marching down the road adorned with guns and swords and bringing wagons with them. He thinks they were Union soldiers.

Mary Glover

Mary Glover was born in 1853 (or 1854: in her interview she says 1853 but in the interviewer’s introduction they say 1854) in Sumpter, TX.

Andrew Goodman

Andrew Goodman was born in 1840 in Alabama but was brought to Tyler, Texas when he was very young. During the Civil War, Union soldiers “all came by carrying they little budgets and if any was walking them would look in the stables for a horse or a mule and they just took what they wanted of corn or livestock. They did the same after [the Civil War ended]… we was scarder of them than we was of the debbil.” (1527) After the war, Mr. Goodman and his family stayed working for their former master and eventually Mr. Goodman was put in charge of running the plantation after their former master left for the city.

Austin Grant

Austin Grant, around 90 years old in 1937, was born in Mississippi but was brought to Gonzales, TX when he was young and then was brought to Medina County, TX before the Civil War. Mr. Grant was “hired out pretty much [all] of the time.” (1539) After emancipation, Mr. Grant and his family left their former plantation and Mr. Grant’s father hired him out to a different plantation.

Dennis Grant

Dennis Grant, about 80 in 1939, was born in Houston, TX but moved near Jasper, TX when he was very young.

James Green

James Green, 97 in 1938, was born in Virginia, and was set free by his father. His former master, however, kidnapped Mr. Green and sold him at the slave market to a man who brought him to Columbus, TX. During the Civil War, Mr. Green says “everythin’ goes on just like it did. No change come in our life at all.” (1579) After emancipation, Mr. Green stayed with his former master, earning 40 cents a day.

William Green

William Green, 87 in 1938, was born in Mississippi but was refugeed to Lavernia, TX during the second year of the Civil War. After the Civil War ended, Mr. Green was not set free for close to two wars and Union soldiers had to come through and force Mr. Green’s former master to free his slaves. Describing conditions after emancipation: “Even after knowin’ I was free, I wasn’t free.” (1596) Mr. Green was caught stealing a melon and was identified as “one of Montgomery’s slaves. Everyone all around recognizes whose slaves niggers was. I tells ‘em I was free, and they laughed. Then they took me back. What a whippin’ I got!… They tied me up to a tree and was beatin’ me when a white man comes along and says dat he was goin’ to report dem. They says, ‘Go ahead’, and they beats me all de more for it.” (1596-1597)

James Grumbles

James Grumbles was born in 1857 near Austin, TX. Mr. Grumbles belonged to one John Grumbles who had a lot of “nigger dawgs” who were hired out to catch run-away slaves.

Jeff Hamilton

Jeff Hamilton was born in Kentucky in 1840 but was brought to Texas when he was three years old. He eventually ended up in Old Sumster, TX. In 1852, Mr. Hamilton was sold to General Sam Houston and accompanied him in Austin when he served as Governor and then afterwards to Galveston.

William Hamilton

William Hamilton is unsure where he was born but he was near Handley, TX at a very young age.

Molly Harrell

Molly Harrell does not remember exactly when she was born, but she was little during the Civil War and was born near Palestine, TX. She remembers her mother lifting her on her shoulders to get a view of Union soldiers walking past her plantation. She saw Union soldiers passing through frequently after that: “dey use to pass by wit’ wallets on dere mules and fill ‘em wit’ stuff from de houses. Dey go in de barn an’ help dereself.” (1662) After emancipation, Ms. Harrell and her mother moved into Palestine.

Sarah Hatley

Sarah Hatley was born about 1860 in Bastrop, TX. She never saw any soldiers during the Civil War.

James Hayes

James Hayes was born in 1835 in Shelby County, TX, two miles north of Marshall. Mr. Hayes remembers that life did not really change during the Civil War. After the War, Mr. Hayes and all of the other ex-slaves stayed with their former master and worked on the plantation.

Felix Haywood

Felix Haywood, 93 in 1938, was born in St. Hedwig, Bexar County, TX. Mr. Haywood says “the [Civil] War didn’t change nothin’” (1689) but that he did see guns and soldiers.

Albert Henderson

Albert Henderson was born in Kentucky but was brought to Texas when he was very small. Mr. Henderson stayed with his former master after the war after being promised a wage, but he was never paid anything for the two or three years he worked there after emancipation.

Phoebe Henderson

Phoebe Henderson, 105 in 1938, was born in Georgia but was brought to Panola County, TX in 1859. Ms. Henderson “‘members dem soldiers. Dey had de calvary an’ de infantry.” (1705)

Robert Henry

Robert Henry was born in 1854 in Austin, TX.

Nellie Hill

Nellie Hill was born in 1851 in Gay Hill, TX.

Rosina Hoard

Rosina Hoard was born in 1859 near Garfield, Travis County, TX. She remembers seeing Union soldiers at the end of the Civil War who informed Ms. Hoard that she was free. Ms. Hoard and her family moved to a different plantation after emancipation, just four miles away.

Nelson Hogan

Nelson Hogan, 84 in 1937, was born near Walker’s Station, Fort Bend County, TX.

Tom Holland

Tom Holland, 97 in 1937, was born in Texas. After emancipation, Mr. Holland stayed with his former Mistress.

Eliza Holman

Eliza Holman, in her 80s in 1937, was born in Mississippi but moved near Decatur, Wise County, TX in 1861, just before the Civil War began. After emancipation, Ms. Holman stayed with her former master until she was 16.

Larnce Holt

Larnce Holt, 79 in 1937, was born in Tyler County, TX near Woodville. After emancipation, Mr. Holt, his mother, and his brother stayed working for their former master but Mr. Holt’s father was given a plot of land to farm and was loaned farming equipment. Describing the conditions: “Us see mo’ hard time after freedom come dan in all de other time togedder.” (1782)

Bill Homer

Bill Homer was born in 1850 in Louisiana but was brought near Caldwell, TX in 1860. Mr. Homer remembers soldiers coming to their farm and taking rations, but “De wah made no diffe’nce wid wuns. ’Twas the same.” (1788) Mr. Homer stayed with his former master for a year until they sold their plantation, and then he left for Laredo, TX. (In litwack1979, Homer is mentioned as an example of a refugeed slave, and a song that he apparently sung on the road is reprinted, but it appears from this that he moved in 1860.)

Scott Hooper

Scott Hooper was born in 1856 near Bucksnort (since changed to Tenaha), Shelby County, TX.

Aunt Carolina Houston

Carolina Houston was born in 1856 in Georgia. She was refugeed to Texas during the Civil War: “When the Yankees did come to get us my Master got all us nine darkies and run…we first went to Nachoches, Louisiana, but the Yankees were still coming and we came on here to Nacogdoches, TX.” (1803) She says that her master “got her a job at the Hart Hotel” but it seems as though she was hired out there:

That night I heard more crying and taking on. Next day Master and Mistress were gone and left me here all by myself, if I could have found them I’d have left Hart’s next day and followed them but I was scared to death. Lawd honey, every one crying free, free, but I never did learn what they mean free. I was hired next to Mr. Montes, but one day an old friend came for me and I went with him (1803).

Houston next talks about how she remained with the heirs of the Gillikin family thereafter, and preferred living with them to the alternatives.

When asked (apparently) about slaves running away, Houston replies that “some of the slaves run away but none of masters ever run, cause he was too good to them. I saw one jail that was used to jail run-a-way darkies. Most masters whipped them or put the pattyroll after them and then the colored folks would be scared to run any more” (1805).

Josephine Howard

Josephine Howard was born in Alabama, but was brought near Marshall, Texas when she was young. She does not know her exact age but she says it was “long ’fore de Civil War.” (1806) Her former masters never informed Ms. Howard of her freedom and it was not until Union soldiers came to their door and told her that she found out.

Lizzie Hughes

Lizzie Hughes was born in 1848 in Chrieno, TX. Lizzie Hughes stayed with her former master while her mother and all of her siblings left to work for someone else.

Alex Humphrey

Alex Humphrey was born in Hughes Springs, TX in 1864. He does not remember anything about the Civil War or its immediate aftermath as he was too young.

Mose Hursey

Mose Hursey, 82 in 1937, was born in Louisiana but was brought to Red River County, TX when he was six or seven years old.

Mary Ingram

Mary Ingram, 86 in 1937, was born in Louisiana but was refugeed to Brazos County, TX towards the end of the Civil War. Union soldiers came and told Ms. Ingram that she was free. After emancipation, Ms. Ingram stayed with her former master for three years.

Wash Ingram

Wash Ingram, 93 in 1937, was born in Virginia. His father ran away to work in a Virginia “Gole Mine,” and Wash was sold sometime before the war in Mississippi to a Jim Ingram, who “bought a big gang of slaves and refugeed part of ’em to Louisiana and part to Texas” during the Civil War (1853-54). Mr. Ingram remembers coming to Texas in “ox-wagons,” and while still camped at Keachie, Louisiana, he remembered being surprised when “a man come ridin’ into camp and someone say to me, ‘Wash, dar’s your Pappy’. I didn’t believe it ‘cause Pappy was working in a Gole mine in Virgin’ when we left Mississippi. Some of de men tell Pappy dat his chil’ren is dar in camp, and he come and fin’ me and my brothers. Den he jine Master Ingram slaves so he can be with his chil’ren” (1854).

Ingram remembers the Civil War well: “I see dem soldiers and hear dem cannons. I toted water for de soldiers what fought at de Battle of Mansfied.” (1855) By the time the war ended, “Master Ingram had 350 slaves … but he didn’t turn us loose till a year after surrender” (1855). After emancipation, Mr. Ingram and his father bought a place in De Berry, TX.

Bettie White Irby

Bettie Irby was born in 1857 near Chriesman, Burleson County, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Irby and her family stayed with their former master for about a year.

Alex Jackson

Alex Jackson was born in 1857 in Cypress Bottom, Upshur County, TX. Mr. Jackson’s master was a Confederate deserter and so one day he saw about forty soldiers come to the door and took him away. After emancipation, Mr. Jackson and his family stayed with their former mistress for two years.

Ed Jackson

Ed Jackson was born near Austin, TX in the late 1850s.

James Jackson

James Jackson was born in Louisiana in 1850 but was brought to Texas when he was two years old and eventually ending up in Bastrop County, TX. After emancipation, James Jackson and his brother left for Austin, TX to reunite with their mother

Maggie Jackson

Maggie Jackson was born near Douglassville, Cass County, TX.

Nancy Jackson

Nancy Jackson was born in 1830 in Tennessee but was brought to Panola Count, TX when she was five years old.

Richard Jackson

Richard Jackson was born nine miles south of Marshall in 1859. After emancipation, Mr. Jackson and his family left for Woodlawn, TX.

Volume 6

Hannah Jameson

Hannah Jameson was born around 1850 in Arkansas but was refugeed near Hughes Springs, TX in 1863. She remembers seeing Union soldiers on her way to Texas, but does not remember seeing any soldiers while actually in Texas.

Mrs. Thomas Johns

Mrs. Thomas Johns was born in Burleson County, TX in 1864.

Charley Johnson

Charley Johnson was born around 1850 in Fort Bend, TX.

Gus Johnson

Gus Johnson, around 90 years old in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Sunnyside, TX when he was young. He remembers seeing lots of soldiers during the war, specifically members of the cavalry riding horses. After emancipation, Mr. Johnson’s former master gave all of this slaves some money– but it was Confederate money so it was worthless.

Harry Johnson

Harry Johnson, 86 in 1937, was born in Missouri, was then brought to Arkansas, and then was refugeed to Calwell County, TX near the close of the Civil War. Mr. Johnson was on his way to Texas when the Civil War ended so he was already free but it took two years after the Civil War for Mr. Johnson to finally find out he was free.

Jim Johnson

Jim Johnson, 87 in 1938, was born in South Carolina but was brought to San Antonio, TX when he was 5 years old. His former master was killed in the Civil War, but he says there was never any fighting near him and so he did not pay attention to the Civil War very much.

Mary Ellen Johnson

Mary Johnson, 77 in 1938, was born near San Marcos, TX.

Mrs. Sallie Johnson

Sallie Johnson was born in 1855 near Austin, TX.

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson was born near Perry, TX.

Harriet Jones

Harriet Jones was born in Missouri in 1844 but was brought near Clarksville, TX.

Lewis Jones

Lewis Jones was born in 1851 in Fayette County, TX.

Lizzie Jones

Lizzie Jones was born in 1851 in Harrison County, TX. Ms. Jones’ former master did not inform her that she was free until a year after the Civil War ended.

n Steve Jones

Steve Jones was born in 1849 in South Carolina.

Aunt Pinkie Kelley

Aunt Pinkie Kelley is unsure of her age but she was born in Brazoria County, TX. She says she never heard much about the Civil War and does not remember much about it

Ellen Kelley

Ellen Kelley was born in 1848 near Springfield, TX. She remembers watching soldiers as they went by on their way to join the Confederate army.

Calvin Kennard

Calvin Kennard was born in 1857 in Louisiana, but moved to Texas when he was six or seven years old, suggesting that he was refugeed.

Richard Kimmons

Richard Kimmons was born around 1846 in Missouri but was refugeed to Gateville, Texas in 1862. On the way to Texas they stopped in Fort Smith and Dandell (Arkansas) to make and sell crops.

Mary Kindred

Mary Kindred was born near Jasper, TX

J.W. King

J.W. King was born in 1854 in Missouri but was brought to Texas when he was an infant. First, Mr. King was brought to Austin, TX and then moved to Washington County, TX. He relates hardships with the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War ended and says they made life very hard.

Nancy King

Nancy King was born in 1844 in Upshur County, TX. She remembers seeing soldiers coming and going to war. Additionally, Ms. King’s master was a deserter and so soldiers came to their house to find him. Soldiers then put red peppers in her master’s eyes.

Silvia King

Silvia King, who says she was born in 1804, was born in Morocco. First, Ms. King moved to France, then she was stolen and put on a slave ship headed to New Orleans, and then was sold and brought to LaGrange, TX.

Mollie Kirkland

Mollie Kirkland was born around 1855 in Alabama but was brought to Springfield, TX when she was a baby. She remembers soldiers often passing by their plantation and her having to hide their stock so the soldiers would not steal them. Often, soldiers would spend the night and her mistress would cook dinner for any soldiers who wanted to eat.

Alex Lacy

Alex Lacy was born in 1857 in Kentucky but was brought near Lawsonville, TX when he was an infant. Mr. Lacy remembers “hearing the rumblings of the guns during the [Civil] War.” (2251)

Anthony W. Lacy

Anthony Lacy, 75 in 1937, was born near Jasper, TX. After the Civil War, Mr. Lacy’s former master did not want to set his slaves free so they all moved to West Texas to escape Union soldiers.

Ann Ladly

Ann Ladly, around 87 in 1937, was born in Tennessee but was brought near Eagle Lake, TX when she was five years old.

Janey Landrum

Janey Landrum was born in 1851 near Gonzales, TX and then moved to Waco, TX.

Sarah Lee

Sarah Lee was born in 1844 in LaGrange, TX.

Hagar Lewis

Hagar Lewis was born in 1855 near Tyler, TX.

Henry Lewis

Henry Lewis, 101 in 1937, was born in Pine Island, TX. During the Civil War, Mr. Lewis says he say soldiers almost every day and he would sometimes visit their camp in Liberty. He also remembers hearing some gunshots.

Lavinia Lewis

Lavinia Lewis was born in Mississippi but moved near Anderson, Grimes County, Texas in 1859. Ms. Lewis recalls that during the Civil War Union soldiers came and burned their cotton supply and stole lots of food.

Lucy Lewis

Lucy Lewis says she was born before the Battle of San Jacinto in Brazoria County, TX. She remembers during the Civil War seeing many Confederate soldiers: “so’jers wah aroun’ heah jus’ as thick as dem weeds out by de do’.” (2367) She also remembers Union gunboats shelling close to her plantation.

Abe Livingston

Abe Livingston, 83 in 1937, was born in Jasper County, TX. Mr. Livingston remembers Union soldiers coming to tell him he was free.

Sue Lockridge

Sue Lockridge, in her late 70s in 1937, was born in Brenham, TX. She does not remember seeing any soldiers duirng the Civil War.

Will Long

Will Long was born in 1852 in Deer Creek, TX and then moved to Waco, TX in 1856.

John Love

John Love was born in 1861 near Crockett, TX.

Volume 7

Louis Love

Louis Love was born in Louisiana but was brought to Texas at the beginning of the Civil War to escape the Union soldiers.

Bill McCray

Bill McCray, 80 in 1937, was born near San Augustine, TX but moved to Jasper,TX in 1854. After emancipation, Mr. McCray was a cook for the military.

William M. McDonald

William McDonald was born in 1862 in Terrell, TX.

Nap McQueen

Nap McQueen, 80 in 1937, was born in Tennessee but was brought to Peach Tree, TX when he was a young child. Mr. McQueen accompanied his master’s son to a Confederate training camp where he observed soldiers doing drills, target shooting, and other things. He says that he did not notice anything about the actual Civil War since there was no fighting near him.

C.B. McRay

C.B. McRay was born in 1861 in Jasper, TX.

Julia Malone

Julia Malone, 79 in 1937, was born near Lockhart, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Malone was not allowed to leave with her mother and instead stayed working for her former master,

Sam Meredith Mason

Sam Mason was born in 1858 near Austin, TX.

Louise Mathews

Louise Mathews, 83 in 1937, was born in Shelby County, TX. Louise talks about her master hiring out one of her fellow slaves on her plantation. She says her master would hire out his slaves frequently. After emancipation, Ms. Mathews and her mother moved to a different plantation and worked there for 7 years. She says that after the War, they were scared to leave the plantation because of fears about the KKK.

Maggie Matthews

Maggie Matthews was born in 1857 in Gonzales, TX. Ms. Matthews’ mother was hired out to midwife for their neighbors

Hiram Mayes

Hiram Mayes was born in 1962 near Jackson, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Mayes and his family were not offered a job with their former master but they “git ‘long alright makin’ money wid de cattlemen.” (2637)

Susan Merritt

Susan Merritt, approximately 87 in 1938, was born in Rusk County, near Henderson, TX. She remembers that after the war, slaves in Harrison County were set free before the slaves in Rusk County were and “Negroes in Rusk County heard about it and lots of them run away from slavery in Rusk to freedom in Harrison County. Their owners had them ‘bushwhacked’ shot down while they was trying to get away. You could see lots of Negroes hanging to trees in Sabine bottom right after freedom. They would catch them swimming across Sabine River and shoot them.” (2645)

Ann Mickey

Ann Mickey, around 90 years old in 1937, was born in Beaumont, TX. She remembers seeing soldiers and their camp, although she does not remember where it was.

Cassie Middleton

Cassie Middleton was born in Gilgal, TX. She does not know how old she is, but she was old enough to remember the Civil War. Mr. Middleton was not informed of his freedom until months after the Civil War ended.

Anna Miller

Anna Miller, 85 in 1937, was born in Kentucky but was brought to Palo Pinto, Texas when she was around 8 years old. After emancipation, Ms. Miller stayed with her former master while her father left in an attempt to make enough money to support both of them. About two years after the Civil War, Ms. Miller’s former master killed himself because “he sez he don’ want to live in a country whar de niggers am free.” (2684)

Mintie Maria Miller

Mintie Miller was born in Alabama in 1852 but was brought to Lynchburg, TX when she was still very young. Some Confederate soldiers lived on their property during the Civil War. She remembers the Confederates preparing three ships for their attempt to retake Galveston. She also remembers the battle: “When de War was fought in Galveston you could hear de guns an’ cannons by goin’ out in de backyard.” (2692) After emancipation, Ms. Miller left for Houston to live with her mother.

Harriett Millett

Harriett Millett was born in 1854 in Mississippi but was brought to Seguin, TX (no year is given, but it is possible this occurred during the Civil War) and then a year later to “frontier country” near New Braunfels (2698). She mentions remembering slaves working in a mine. After informed of their freedom, “dem slaves in de mines was so scared, and didn’t believe it, dat dey went back to work. When dey knowed fo’ sure dat dey was free, some of ‘em got up and lef’ right away. ‘Well,’ de others said, ‘free or not free, we’re staying here to work.’” (2699) After emancipation, Ms. Millett and her family stayed with their former master.

Peter Mitchell

Peter Mitchell was born in 1862 or 1863 near Jasper, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Mitchell’s former master did not employ any of his former slaves and Mr. Mitchell was forced to do odd jobs.

Andrew Moody

Andrew Moody was born in 1855 on Lacey’s River, 17 miles away from Orange, TX. He remembers seeing the Confederate camp in Port Neches. He did not see any Union soldiers until after the Civil War ended. “Den dey come from Beaumont t’ see if d’ w’ite folks t’un de slaves a-loose.” (2722) After emancipation, Mr. Moody stayed with his former master, and in fact was the last former slave to stay employed by him.

Tildy Moody

Tildy Moody, about six at emancipation, was born near Burkesville, TX. She remembers seeing Union soldiers coming through town. “Dey was t’ree of dem. ‘S near as I kin’ ‘member dey was jes’ runnin’ ‘round. I don’ know w’at dey do.” (2727)

A.M. “Mount” Moore

A.M. Moore was born in 1846 8 miles northeast of Marshall, TX. During the Civil War, Mr. Moore “kept posed on the war all the time… I remember Mistress reading letters from our folks that was in the war. She would read it and say, ’They had a big battle yesterday.”

Laura Moore

Laura Moore, 86 in 1938, was born in Goliad, TX. She says that she did not even know the Civil War was occurring until she was told that she was free.

Van Moore

Van Moore was born in 1859 in Virginia but was brought near Crosby, TX when he was still an infant, and then was brought to Galveston, TX when she was four or five years old. She remembers living close to a Union camp because she would go there two or three days a week and ask for coffee and sugar which she would take to her mother. “I had to walk in sand up to my knees to get to de camp an’ dey was lots more kids went, too, white an’ black, but I never see no cruelness by de sojers to any of ‘em. Dey gives you de sugar in a big bucket… dey sure was lots of sojers an’ it was a big camp but I didn’t see no fightin’” (2750-2751)

Vina Moore

Vina Moore was born in Mississippi in 1845. She recalls being refugeed to Texas during the Civil War:" A little after de war commenced, marster Smiley sold me ter marster Lowery, and he sent three wagon loads of niggers ter Texas ter keep de yankees from gittin us" (2761).

Vina was the only one of the group that was sold: “Dey had de auction on de court house square in Corsicana. A Mr. Van Horn bought me fer $300.00.

William Moore

William Moore was born around 1855 in Limestone County, near Mexia, TX. He remembers seeing soldiers before he knew that the Civil War was occurring: “I was on the big road and a drove of sojers come up on horses. They say, ‘Whars your master’s house little nigger?’ I tell them it is sech a way but I can’t see it from there. One hists me up on the horse and I pints it out to them.” (2770) After emancipation, Mr. Moore’s former master found work for Mr. Moore and his family on a nearby plantation.

Mandy Morrow

Mandy Morrow, around 80 in 1937, was born near Georgetown, TX. She often stopped and watched soldiers practicing shooting and witnessed one soldier accidentally get shot during practice.

Patsy Moses

Patsy Moses was born around 1863 in Fort Bend County, TX.

John Mosley

John Mosley was born in 1851 near Washington, Burleson County, TX. After the Civil War, Mr. Mosley and his family worked as sharecroppers for their former master.

Calvin Moye

Calvin Moye was born in 1842 in Georgia but was brought to Rural Shade, TX when he was ten years old. He remembers seeing soldier and other men coming to their house frequently during the Civil War, and his master would often provide meat, clothes and uniforms for the soldiers, and other supplies. After the war, Mr. Moye and all of the other ex-slaves on his plantation stayed with their former master. Describing the conditions after the Civil War: “Things was hard going after de war but things picked up faster fer de po’ man den dey is now. There was land to farm fer everybody dat wanted to farm it and it was good land, and people could go out and gits a crop on de halvers then where dey can’t git one on de third and fourth now.” (2863) (Mr. Moye gives an incredibly detailed account of life during slavery – the most detailed I have come across yet)

Hannah Mulline

Hannah Muline was born in 1857 in Johnson Station, TX. Ms. Mulline and her family stayed with their former master as wage laborers after emancipation.

Florence Napier

Florence Napier was born in 1858 in Falls County, near Marlin, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Napier and her family stayed with their former master for a year. Describing conditions after the Civil War Ms. Napier said: “Thar am plenty trouble fo’ de niggers after surrendah. De Night Riders gits to gwine ‘round. Yas Ku Klux Klan am de name… my father gits chased twice, an’ once, deys catched him, an’ he gits awful whuppin’.” (2882)

Andy Nelson

Andy Nelson was born in Denton County, TX in 1861. After emancipation, Mr. Nelson and his family left for Birdville, TX.

Bell Nelson

Bell Nelson, 76 in 1837, was born in Peoria, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Nelson and his family stayed with their former master.

Pierce Nichols

Pierce Nichols was born in Grimes County, TX. He does not know what year he was born, but his first memory is the end of the Civil War.

Volume 8

Margrett Nillin

Margrett Nillin was born in 1847 in Palestine, TX. She does not remember seeing any soldiers during the Civil War and says that life did not change. After the Civil War, Ms. Nillin and her family moved to Chamber’s Creek, TX.

Fannie Norman

Fannie Norman was born in 1859 in Austin, TX.

Isom Norris

Isom Norris was born in 1848 in South Carolina but moved to Texas in 1861.

Isaiah Norwood

Isaiah Norwood was born in 1852 in Tennessee but was brought to Merrilltown, TX when he was just a child. Mr. Norwood and his family stayed with their former master as wage laborers after emancipation.

Aaron Nunn

Aaron Nunn was born in 1857 six miles west of Brenham, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Nunn and his family stayed with their former master.

Julia Grimes Jones Ocklbary

Julia Ocklbary was born in 1855 in Bastrop, TX. She then moved to Hornsby’s Bend, Travis County, TX when she was around 8 years old.

Charley Odom

Charley Odom was born in 1853 in Tyler County, TX. Mr. Odom’s former master kept him and all the rest of his ex-slaves as slaves for a full year after emancipation until the “captain man” told him to set his slaves free. (2970)

Joe Oliver

Joe Oliver was born in 1847 in Hill County, TX.

Horace Overstreet

Horace Overstreet was born in 1856 in Harrison County, TX and was brought to Beaumont, TX before the Civil War. Mr. Overstreet says he saw “plenty” of soldiers during the Civil War and directly after it ended he saw “sojers all day fo’ two day passin’” (2998)

Mary Overton

Mary Overton does not know how old she is, but she was born in Tennessee, then as an infant brought to Arkansas and then when she was four years old was brought to Fort Graham, Hill County, TX. Finally, she ended up in Seguin, TX. She does not remember life changing at all during the Civil War. After emancipation, Ms. Overton stayed with her former master.

Henry Owens

Henry Owens was born in 1843 in Liberty Hill, Williamson County, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Owens and his family left and worked as sharecroppers on a nearby plantation.

Mary Anne Patterson

Mary Anne Patterson, 97-102 years old in 1937, was born in Louisiana but was brought to Roger’s Hill, Travis County, Tx when she was an infant.

Jessie Pauls

Jessie Pauls, 79 in 1938, was born 4 miles south of Austin, TX. Ms. Pauls remembers Austin being full of soldiers and she would accompany her mistress into town frequently. One day she noticed that there were not many soldiers in Austin which she ended up finding out was because a battle was about to begin when she heard “de big guns start shootin’” (3035) She and her mistress maneuvered so that they could see the battle from safety and then watched the rest of the battle. After emancipation, Ms. Pauls and her mother left for Austin. It was a tough time and they had to walk around begging for food before becoming employed in Elgin.

Ellen Payne

Ellen Payne was born in 1849 in Marshall, TX. Ms. Payne stayed with her former master after emancipation.

Jack Payne

Jack Payne was born in 1844 in San Augustine County, TX near the Sabine County line. The Civil War “didn’t make no difference in [her] livin’ till it done over with.” (3045)

Henderson Perkins

Henderson Perkins was born about 1839 in Tennessee but was brought to Centerville, TX before the Civil War began. During the Civil War, “de ahmy mans come an’ took all de co’n, ever ear, took de meat, ever chicken, an’ alls de t’baccy.” Because of this it was a “hahd time.” (3050) After the Civil War, Mr. Perkins stayed with his former master and worked in the tavern he owned.

Sarah Perkins

Sarah Perkins was born in 1849 in Tennessee but was brought to Texas when she was give years old.

Katie Phoenix

Katie Phoenix, around 80 in 1937, was born in Louisiana but moved near Brenham, TX when she was very young. After emancipation, Ms. Phoenix’s father came and took her and they both farmed. Describing conditions right after emancipation, she says “Lots of slaves was happier cose they was free and lots of ’em weren’t. I was one of ’em that was happier.” (3085)

Lee Pickett

Lee Pickett, 78 in 1937, was born in Louisiana but was brought to Lampasas, TX at a very young age. Union soldiers came to their house to tell the slaves they were free. After emancipation, Ms. Pickett and her family left for Webberville, TX where they leased about thirty acres of land.

Lee Pierce

Lee Pierce was born in 1850 in Marshall, TX. She was then sold and brought to Sulphur Springs, TX. She remembers seeing a Union army camp in Jefferson, TX during the Civil War.

Louvinia Young Pleasant

Louvinia Pleasant was born in 1851 in Chappel Hill, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Pleasant stayed with her former master for six months.

James Polk

James Polk was born in 1850 near Rusk, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Polk stayed with his former master.

Betty Powers

Betty Powers, around 80 in 1937, was born in Harrison County, TX. She does not remember much about the Civil War, but she remembers “thousands” of soldiers returning home. (3140) Ms. Powers and her family stayed and worked as sharecroppers on their former master’s plantation.

Allen Price

Allen Price was born in Fannin County, TX in 1862 while his family was en route to La Grange, TX from Missouri. He was too young to remember anything about the Civil War, but Mr. Price’s father was brought by his master as a bodyguard to volunteer in the Civil War. His father was present at the battle of Sabine Pass in September 1863 where he helped construct the breastworks that the soldiers used as protection from gun and cannon fire.

John Price

John Price, around five years old when the Civil War ended, was born in Louisiana but was refugeed to Liberty, TX when he was very young, during the Civil War. As Mr. Price put it, “De ’ol marster come by ship to Galveston up de Trinity Riber to Liberty by boat to try to sabe he niggers, but it warn’t no use.” (3163) He remembers seeing lots of tents near Liberty and being told they housed soldiers. He could also hear the cannons from Galveston, presumably from the Battle of Galveston.

Henry Probasco

Henry Probasco, 79 in 1937, was born near Huntsville, TX. Mr. Probasco and his family stayed with their former master after emancipation.

Robert Prout

Robert Prout was born in 1850 in Alabama but was brought near Bastrop, TX when he was five years old. After emancipation, Mr. Prout and his family stayed with their former master.

Mary Rahls

Mary Rahls, who guesses she is in her late 80s in 1937, was born near Jasper, TX. Ms. Rahls stayed with her former master after emancipation.

Aunt Eda Rains

Eda Rains was born in 1853 in Arkansas but was brought to Douglass, TX at the age of 7. She recalls being hired out almost immediately upon getting to Douglass. She describes the experience: “I shore got lonesome for I was just a little girl you know and wanted to see my mother… the first work I did: they put me to parchin coffee. My arm was sore an I’d parch and cry, parch and cry, parch and cry.” (3222) Her experience was so bad that after one especially gruesome beating, her neighbors heard her crying, came over and told them that they have to let Ms. Rains go or face legal consequences. This forced her actual master to sell her.

Aaron Ray

Aaron Ray, around 90 in 1939, was born in Independence, TX. He then moved near Waco, TX before the Civil War. He recalls seeing the Union camp at Waco and remembers one time two drunk men were singing Confederate songs and yelling at the Union soldiers and the soldiers “shot ’em down.” (3259)

Laura Ray

Laura Ray was born in 1853 near Jacksonville, TX.

Elsie Reece

Elsie Reece, 90 in 1937, was born in Grimes County, TX. Ms. Reece and her family stayed with their former master for two years.

Kitty Reese

Kitty Reese, 83 in 1937, was born in Missouri but came near Houston, Texas when she was young. She stayed with her former master after emancipation.

Will Rhymes

Will Rhymes was born in 1853 in Louisiana but was brought to Jasper, TX. He remembers towards the end of the Civil War Union soldiers camping in Jasper

Henry J. Richardson

Henry J. Richardson was born in 1860 near Nacogdoches, TX.

Walter Rimm

Walter Rimm, 80 in 1937, was born near Ingleside, TX. Mr. Walter remembers seeing Union ships bombarding Corpus Christi. After this, he remembers seeing soldiers coming ashore and asking his master where they could find water. After emancipation, Mr. Rimm and his family walked 50-60 miles and tried farming, but the first six months were tough and they “nigh starved.” (3318) Then, their former master moved to Cuba and Mr. Rimm and his family moved back to their former plantation.

George Rivers

George Rivers was born near Liberty, TX and then moved to Double Bayou when he was three years old, before the Civil War. He only saw one soldier during the Civil War, a confederate soldier who was sick and stayed at their house for two weeks. After emancipation, Mr. Rivers left for Galveston where he worked in a kitchen.

Steve Robertson

Steve Robertson, 79 in 1937, was born near Brenham, TX. Mr. Robertson and the rest of the slaves living on the same plantation were not informed of their freedom until one day someone asked for a pass to go to a neighboring plantation and the overseer told him he did not need one. Then the man learned the slaves were set free when he was gone. After this, all of the ex-slaves left the plantation and started walking down the road, where Mr. Robertson and his family met a man who gave them jobs on his plantation.

Fannie Robinson

Fannie Robinson was born in 1855 near Brenham, TX.

J.A. Robinson

J.A. Robinson grew up near Wallinsville, TX. (no age or birthplace is given) He remembers hearing the Battle at Galveston and his mistress and aunt crying. After emancipation, Mr. Robinson went to Galveston and found work on a boat.

Mariah Robinson

Mariah Robinson, who guesses she’s in her 80s in 1937, was born in Georgia but was brought to Waco, Texas when she was ten years old. Around when the Civil War began, she moved near Meridian, TX. After emancipation, she stayed with her former mistress and worked in the house.

Ellen Rogers

Ellen Rogers, who guesses she is over 100 years old, was born in Tennessee but was brought to Houston, TX. She remembers seeing some soldiers during the Civil War and even an unpleasant encounter with one: “De sojers, o-o-o-o-o- we was scare of any of dem. One come to de cabin one night and push me in de face.” (1162) After emancipation, Ms. Rogers went to Huntsville to try to find members of her family, whom she did not find.

Ransom Rosborough

Ransom Rosborough was born in 1861 in Davis County, TX but moved to Bowie County, TX when he was a year old. He does not remember much about the Civil War and stayed with his former master after emancipation.

Susan Ross

Susan Ross, born at sometime during the Civil War – she guesses 1862, was born in Magnolia Springs, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Ross and her family left their plantation and she attended school.

Annie Row

Annie Row, around 86 in 1937, was born near Rusk, TX. She remembers soldiers during the Civil War coming to their place and taking all of the food they wanted and that her mother would cook for the soldiers when they would come. After emancipation, Ms. Row and her family “worked the halves” on their former plantation.

Gill Ruffin

Gill Ruffin was born in 1837 in Harrison County, TX. He was brought to Houston County as an infant but returned to Harrison County before the Civil War began. His only recollection about the Civil War was seeing “the infantry one time over thar close to where Karnack is now. I was sittin’ on a mule when they pass. All they say is ’Better git on home Nigger.” (3379) His former master did not inform him of his freedom until almost a year after the Civil War ended.

Volume 9

Josephine Ryles

Josephine Ryles was born in Galveston, TX but moved to Polk County, TX before the Civil War. After emancipation, Ms. Ryles and her mother returned to Galveston where they worked as cooks.

Felix Grundy Sadler

Felix Sadler was born in 1864 in Bosque County, TX. Mr. Sadler’s parents, however, were refugeed to Texas from Tennessee by way of Louisiana in 1862.

Clarissa Scales

Clarissa Scales was born in 1858 in Plum Creek, Hays County, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Scales and her family left and rented land.

Tom Scott

Tom Scott was born towards the end of the Civil War in Jasper, TX.

Abram Sells

Abram Sells, in his 80s in 1937, was born near Jasper, TX. He remembers seeing soldiers during the Civil War: “I ‘member how some ’r’ march off in dere uniforms, lookin’ so gran’ ‘n’ den how some ‘r’ dem hide out in de wood’ to keep from lookin’ so gran’.

George Selman

George Selman was born in 1852 near Alto, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Selman moved to his former master’s sister’s plantation where he was a sharecropper.

Will Shelby

Will Shelby, 86 at the time of interview, was born in Jasper, TX. At about the end of the Civil War, Mr. Shelby remembers seeing “t’ousands of sojers pass’ the place goin’ back Norf.” (3503) Right after the Civil War ended, soldiers came by their place to make sure Mr. Shelby’s master had set his slaves free.

Callie Shepherd

Callie Shepherd was born in 1852 near Gilmer, TX. She remembers hearing “de big cannons goin’ on over threre jus’ like de bigges’ clap of thunder.” (3508) After the Civil War ended, she remembers seeing soldiers returning home on horseback.

Marshall Showers

Marshall Showers, 86 in 1937, was born in Georgia but came near San Antonio, TX (but no year is given).

Betty Simmons

Betty Simmons, more than 100 years old in 1938, was born in Tennessee. She was stolen from her family and sent to be sold in New Orleans. She was eventually sold at the beginning of the Civil War and brought to Liberty, TX. She found this situation slightly amusing because she thought “‘W’at dey buy us for w’en dey know us gwinter be sot free.’ Some was still a-buyin’ niggers eb’ry fall. Us [her and the other slaves being sold] t’ink it too funny dey kep’ on fillin’ up w’en dey gwinter be emptyin’ out soon.” (3537) She saw Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, “hunnerds at a time. Dey’s ‘bout 400 camp.’” (3541)

George Simmons

Goergw Simmons was born in 1854 in Alabama but was brought near Beaumont, TX during the Civil War. Mr. Simmons remembers seeing Confederate soldiers on their way back from the Civil War and seeing Union soldiers coming after the War in blue uniforms. He recalls life right after emancipation: “We was all well treat’ befo’ [freedom] tho’. I didn’ see w’ere freedom was much mo’ better.” (3545) After emancipation, Mr. Simmons stayed with his former master.

Ben Simpson

Ben Simpson, 90 years old in 1937, was born in Georgia. No year is given, but after his master was caught selling horses they fled to Austin, TX during the winter. When his mother’s feet got raw and bleeding from the cold, his master shot her dead. In Texas, Mr. Simpson was forced to work naked and with chains permanently on as his master refused to give any of his slaves clothes. Speaking on living conditions on the plantation: “Master he never feed us but just enough to keep us alive, and then he worked us nearly to death.” (3552) Mr. Simpson guesses that he was not set free until three years after the Civil War and only because his outlaw former master was finally caught (stealing horses again) and hanged.

Burke Simpson

Burke Simpson was born in 1852 in Arkansas but was sold and brought near Fairfield, TX before the Civil War. He remembers at the beginning of the Civil War, Fairfield had a large barbeque for the company of soldiers about to go to war.

Emma Simpson

Emma Simpson was born 10-12 years before the Civil War in Walker County, TX. After the Civil War, Ms. Simpson and her family stayed with their former master and “worked the halves.”

Ike Simpson

Ike Simpson, around 90 years old at time of interview, was born in Jasper County, TX.

Amos Sims

Amos Sims was born in 1851 in Harrison County, TX. He “never seen so soldiers nor hear no shootin’” during the Civil War. (3582)

Green Sims

Green Sims was born in 1850 in Marlin, TX

Ellen Sinclair

Ellen Sinclair was born in Duncan Woods, TX.

Henry Smith

Henry Smith does not know when he was born but knows he “wuz big enuff ter plow an’ driv er team ob oxen wid a freight train ob cotton.” (3610) He was born in Louisiana joined the Texas Brigade during the Civil War. The rest of the slaves on his plantation were refugeed to Texas between Perry and Waco: “W’en dey say a war gwine come fer sho’ Marse Bill, he run he niggers into Texas kase he say dat de niggersin Texas ain’t gwine be free quick lak in de ole states.” (3610)

Henry Hence Smith

Henry Hence Smith was born in 1853 in Manor, TX.

James W. Smith

James W. Smith, 77 in 1937, was born in Palestine, TX. Mr. Smith does not remember the Civil War or any difference it brought to his life.

Jordon Smith

Jordon Smith, 86 in 1938, was born in Georgia but was brought to Anderson County, TX before the Civil War. After emancipation, Mr. Smith left his former master and mother and went to Louisiana to look for work.

Louis Smith

Louis Smith was born in 1856 at Brushy Knob, Travis County, TX.

Millie Ann Smith

Millie Ann Smith was born in 1850 in Rusk County, TX. She remembers Union soldiers coming to her door and informing her that she was free after the Civil War was over.

Robert Franklin Smith

Robert Franklin Smith, in his 80s in 1937, was born in Maryland but was brought to Tyler County, TX as a young child.

Mariah Snyder

Mariah Snyder, 89 in 1937, was born in Mississippi but was brought to Anderson County, TX when she was five years old. After emancipation, she stayed with her former master.

Patsy Southwell

Patsy Southwell, 83 in 1937, was born in Rock Hill, TX. She remembers Confederate soldiers camping nearby at Zion Hill and everyone would go to see them off.

Fayette Stephens

Fayette Stephens was born in 1855 in Marshall, TX.

Yach Stringfellow

Yach Stringfellow was born in 1847 in Brenham, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Stringfellow and his family stayed with their former master for about a year.

Bert Strong

Bert Strong was born in 1864 in Harrison County, TX.

Emma Taylor

Emma Taylor was born in 1849. She does not say where she was born, but she moved to Jacksonville, TX before the Civil War.

Mollie Taylor

Mollie Taylor, 84 in 1937, was born in Campbell, TX. She remembers there were “a lot of soldiers always ridin’ by de place all deck out in der uniforms wid big shiny buttons on der coat.” (3770)

Allen Thomas

Allen Thomas, 96 at time of interview, was born in Duncan Woods, TX. Mr. Thomas never saw any soldiers during the Civil War but did hear some cannon fire.

Lucy Thomas

Lucy Thomas was born in 1851 in Harrison County, TX.

Nancy Thomas

Nancy Thomas was born in 1859 in Bastrop, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Thomas and her family stayed and worked as wage laborers for their former master.

Philles Thomas

Philles Thomas was born in 1860 (the interviewer wrote 1960 but I can safely assume he meant 1860) in Brazoia County, TX.

Rebecca Thomas

Rebecca Thomas was born in 1825 in Arkansas but was brought to Craft’s Prairie, Caldwell County, TX before the Civil War began.

John Thompson

John Thompson was born in Tennessee but was brought to Colorado County, TX two years before the Civil War ended (or it seems that way. In his words it “two or three years befo’ de niggers in general knowed dey wuz free). It does not seem as though Mr. Thomas’s master was escaping Union soldiers because he only brought Mr. Thompson to Texas with him and none of his other slaves, including Mr. Thompson’s mother who stayed in Tennessee.

Maria Tilden Thompson

Maria Thompson was born in 1836 in Jefferson County, TX. Describing conditions right after emancipation, she says “After freedom I found life right pleasant.” (3858)

Albert Todd

Albert Todd, 86 in 1937, was born in Kentucky but during the Civil War was brought near San Antonio, TX. Mr. Todd was kept as a slave until three years after the Civil War was over.

Volume 10

Reeves Tucker

Reeves Tucker, 98 years old in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Upshur County, TX when he was six years old. After emancipation, Mr. Tucker and his father rented land and farmed.

Lou Turner

Lou Turner, 89 in 1937, was born in Beaumont, TX. She does not remember seeing any soldiers during the Civil War but remembers “dat battle on Atchafalia shook all the dishes off the dresser and broke ’em up.” (3899)

Adeline Waldon

Adeline Waldon was born in 1857 in Missouri but was refugeed with about 50 other slaves to the bottom of the Brazos River in Texas at the start of the Civil War. Describing their move, Ms. Waldson says “Dey git talkin’ dat de Yankees gwine git ebery thing Marse had, an’ so us come down to Texas. He [Ms. Waldon’s master] say dat Texas folkses ain’t gwine sot dere niggers free, so we moved down har” (3913).

Waldon also told her interviewer that “I don’ ‘member de freedom war, I’ze too little. Us can’t read an’ all us hears is what de w’ite folks say an’ de war didn’t touch us much down in de [Brazos] bottom. Mammy say us done run off an’ lef’ dat war” (3915).

Bean Walker

Bean Walker, about 85 years old in 1937, was born “somewhar in Eas’ Texas.” (3921) After emancipation, Mr. Walker left for Waco, TX to farm.

Fannie Moore Walker

Fannie Walker, 84 in 1937, was born somewhere in Texas, but she cannot remember where. She lived near Webberville, TX during the Civil War. After emancipation, Ms. Walker desired to stay with her former mistress but she was forced to leave to go to her father in Austin.

Irella Battle Walker

Irella Walker was born in 1851 in Craft’s Prairie, Bastrop County, TX but moved to Travis County when he was little. Ms. Walker, her family, and all of the other families living there stayed on their plantation after emancipation.

Caroline Walker Walton

Caroline Walton was born in 1862 near Kirven, Freestone County, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Walker attended school.

John Walton

John Walton was born in 1849 in Austin, TX where he lived until the Civil War and then moved to Robertson County.

Liza Walton

Liza Walton was born in 1848 near Scottsville, TX.

Annie Whitley Ware

Annie Ware was born in 1857 in Austin County, TX.

Ella Washington

Ella Washington was born in 1855 in Louisiana but was refugeed to Calvert, Texas at the end of the Civil War. As she describes her move: “Time dey was ready for freedom in Louisiana, we refugee to Texas. De marster put us in wagons an’ took us to Texas. We travel all day an’ half de night an’ when we do stop we sleep on de ground.” (3972-3973) After the Civil War was over, Union soldiers came to set Ms. Washington free. After this, many of the slaves started to have stomach pains and suddenly many ended up dying, which Ms. Washington thinks may be because her master tried to poison all of his ex-slaves.

Sam Jones Washington

Sam Jones Washington, 88 in 1937, was born in Wharton County, TX. Mr. Washington says he did not know that a war was going on but does remember seeing some soldiers at the beginning of the Civil War. After emancipation, Mr. Washington stayed with his former master and farmed.

Emma Watson

Emma Watson was born in 1853 in Ellis County, TX. During the Civil War, she saw lots of Union soldiers and said that they would take what they like: “The Federals was the most thievin’ folks I ever seen.” (4001) After emancipation, Ms. Watson stayed with her former master.

Emma Weeks

Emma Weeks was born in 1858 near Austin, TX. After emancipation, Ms. Weeks and her mother moved to the plantation where her father was previously a slave and farmed there.

Jack White

Jack White was born in 1857 near Jasper, TX. Mr. White remembers seeing lots of soldiers during the Civil War and that whenever they would pass by they would hide all of their food and attempt to send their cattle into the woods.

Alice Wilkins

Alice Wilkins was born in 1855 in Springfield, Limestone County, TX. She remembers seeing lots of soldiers pass by her house during the Civil War, some Confederate and some Union. She even remembers the songs that they would sing.

Allen Williams

Allen Williams, around 90 in 1937, was born in Alabama but was brought to Marshall, Texas when he was a good-sized boy. Mr. Williams says that he “had a heap better time then [during slavery] than I has now. I is more in slavery right now than I was then.” (4059) He remembers, during the Civil War, seeing “the first regiment of soldiers out of Marshall to the War. [He] ’members the day the battle of Mansfield started. .. [he] hears the cannons shooting when they was fighting at Mansfield.” (4061) He remembers Union soldiers coming to Marshall after the Civil War and they even asked Mr. Williams to take a government position. (he never says what it was though)

Andy Williams

Andy Williams was born in 1859 in Springfield, TX.

Daphne Williams

Daphne Williams, who claims to be over 110 years old in 1937, was born in Florida but moved near Woodville, Texas when she was about 10. She remembers seeing lots of soldiers during the Civil War, many of whom would steal their food.

Julia Williams

Julia Williams was born in 1860 in Jefferson, TX.

Lewis Williams

Lewis Williams in 1851 near Milam, TX.

Mattie Williams

Mattie Williams was born in 1854 in Tennessee but moved to Arkansas and was then refugeed to Webberville, TX “about a year and a half befo’ we was set free” (4104). In Texas, Ms. Williams’ master, a Dr. Richardson, did not have a plantation and so she and his other slaves were hired out to others, men would “plow, plant, gather crops, split rails, cut wood, and do a little of everything; de wimmen was hired out fo’ cooks, nusses, and sich” (4104).

Williams recalls that after Richardson informed his slaves about emancipation, “a lot of ’em went back to Arkansas. De biggest bunch of ’em stayed here in Texas” (4105).

Rose Williams (1)

Rose Williams, 90 in 1937, was born in Bell County, TX. She was sold to a different owner who wanted her to live with a man whom Ms. Williams did not like. She resisted until threatened with whippings and finally did end up having two of his children. This experience soured marriage for her and she never married.

Rose Williams (2)

Rose Williams, around 90 in 1937, was born in Chatfield, TX.

Soul Williams

Soul Williams, 96 in 1937, was born in Mississippi but came to Leon County, TX around or before 1850. At the beginning of the Civil War, Leon County had a barbeque to send off troops to the Civil War. After emancipation, Mr. Williams stayed with his former master for three or four years.

Stephen Williams

Stephen Williams, 96 in 1937, was born in Louisiana but moved to Indianola, TX when he was 13 years old. Mr. Williams stayed with his former master until a storm in 1975 destroyed the whole town of Indianola.

Wayman Williams

Wayman Williams was born in Mississippi, but came to Crocket, TX when he was very young. (For his age, the only reference is that he “wuz a small boy when freedom came.” (4142) He remembers seeing Confederate soldiers coming to his plantation and asking for food, which his master was always happy to provide. After emancipation, Mr. Williams stayed with his former master.

Sampson Willis

Sampson Willis, 84 in 1937, was born near Rusk, TX. After emancipation, Mr. Willis’ father bought land and Mr. Willis and he farmed on it.

Emma Countee Wilson

Emma Wilson was born in Rutersville, Fayette County, TX.

Jake Wilson

Jake Wilson was born in 1855 in Georgia. At some point during the Civil War, Mr. Wilson’s master was wounded and upon being sent home and decided “ter run w’at niggers he had lef’ down ter Texas.” (4174) Mr. Wilson was refugeed near Waco, TX. Some of their neighbors decided to join them, too, when they were going to Texas.

Lulu Williams

Lulu Williams, who thinks she is 97 years old in 1938, was born in Kentucky but moved to Chatfield Point, Navarro County, TX when she was close to 12 years old. She remembers one time two soldiers came to their house, tied up her master, and then demanded food to eat. After the Civil War ended, Union soldiers passed their plantation in groups of 50-100 and some came to their plantation and told the slaves they were free. Ms. Williams’ master told the adults they could leave but said the kids had to stay and work for him, which included Lulu Williams.

President Wilson

President Wilson was born in 1857 near Waco, TX. Mr. Wilson’s master did not tell his slaves they were free until he saw Union soldiers walking past.

Sarah Williams

Sarah Williams was born in Louisiana but moved to Sanbone, TX when she “was a sizeable chap.” (4216) After emancipation, Ms. Williams became a sharecropper.

Smith Wilson

Smith Wilson, 75 at time of interview, was born in Smith County, TX. He and his family left his former master, and they were “glad to get to leave” (4234) and worked to halves on another plantation.

Wash Wilson

Wash Wilson, 18 when the Civil War started, was born in Louisiana but was sold very close to the Civil War’s end and was set free in Texas, while still on the road to their final destination. After emancipation, Mr. Wilson, his family, and the seven other families that were sold to their new master stayed and worked on his plantation.

Rube Witt

Rube Witt was born in 1850 in Harrison County, TX. During the Civil War, Mr. Witt enlisted as a Confederate soldier and was sent to Mansfield, LA but arrived there after the battle was already over and was quickly sent back home.

Ruth Wood

Ruth Wood was born in 1857 in Mississippi but moved near Waco, TX when she was 8 years old (during the Civil War). She says that times were very hard after slavery, and her mother was forced to give Ms. Wood to another family to care for.

Caroline Wright

Caroline Wright was born in Louisiana but was refugeed near Bosqueville Texas during the first year of the Civil War since her master thought the Civil War “had got so bad.” (4282)

Sallie Wroe

Sallie Wroe, 81 in 1937, was born near Austin, TX.

Fannie Yarbrough

Fannie Yarbrough, 6 when the Civil War began, was born in Egypt, TX.

Litt Young

Litt Young was born in 1850 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and belonged to “Mistress Martha Gibbs,” a “big, rich Irishwoman” who “warn’t scared of no man. She lived in Vicksburg in a big fine house, and buckled on two guns and come out to the place most every mo’ning. She out-cussed a man when things didn’t go right” (4300-01).

Gibbs later married a doctor who was rumored during the war to be a Yankee sympathizer and antislavery man. According to Young, he helped to advise Grant on the building of Grant’s Canal around the city before the Battle of Vicksburg, which Young remembered well:

I seed the Yankees gun-boats when they come to Vicksburg. All the Niggers went down to the river to see them. They told us to get plum away cause they didn’t know which way they was going to shoot….

After Vicksburg’s surrender, Union troops “arrested my ole Mistress and brought her out to her place and locked her up in the black fo’ks church,” where she was kept for several days before she was set loose and agreed to free all her slaves. But later, while Dr. Gibbs was away with some slaves (including Young’s father) buying corn, “Mistress seized a bunch of us Niggers and started to Texas. She had Irishmen guards, with rifles, to keep us from running away. She left with ten, six-mule wagons, and one ox-cook wagon. Them that was able walked all the way from Vicksburg to Texas … We couldn’t get away with them Irishmen having rifles” (4304). They finally arrived near Marshall, TX, where they made a first crop for Gibbs before Juneteenth.

Dr. Gibbs later arrived in Texas and reported that the slaves he had taken to buy corn had all been seized by the Union army, and that any people in Texas who were related to those captured could come back to Vicksburg to be reunited with them: “Only three wimmen what had husbands went. Me and mammy stayed in Texas and never seed Daddy again” (4305).

Louis Young

Louis Young was born in 1849 in Arkansas but moved to Robinson County, TX when he was 12 years old. After emancipation, Mr. Young left for Calvert, TX.

Teshan Young

Teshan Young, 86 in 1937, was born in Harrison County, TX.

Tobe Zollicoffer

Tobe Zollicoffer was born in 1848 near Malone, TX.

List of Refugeed Slaves

Troop Sightings

Anderson County

 Palestine, TX
	Molly Harrell remembers soldiers frequently walked by her plantation.
	

Bexar County

 St. Hedwig, TX.
	Felix Haywood saw some soldiers during the Civil War.
	

Brazoria County

 Lucy Lewis remembers lots of soldiers during the Civil War.
	

Castro County

 Sunnyside, TX.
	Gus Johnson remembers seeing lots of soldiers going by, and members of the cavalry.
	

Chambers County

 Double Bayou, TX.
	Jacob Branch remembers seeing lots of soldiers pass by.
	

Coryell County

 Gatesville, TX
	S.B. Adams saw lots of soldiers and even some generals.
	

Ellis County

 Emma Watson remembers seeing lots of Union soldiers.
	

Freestone County

 Stewart Mills, TX.
	Jeff Calhoun hauled corn to a Confederate soldier camp located near the Navarre-Freestone County line.
	

Galveston County

 Galveston, TX
	Van Moore says he was near a Union camp
	

Grimes County

 Anderson, TX.
	Lavinia Lewis remembers Union soldiers coming and burning their cotton and stealing food.

Harris County

 Houston, TX.
	Ellen Rogers remembers seeing some soldiers.
	

Harrison County

 Betty Powers remembers thousands of soldiers returning home.
 Campbell Davis remembers seeing a band of soldiers walking by.
 Marshall, TX (Agreement)
	Katie Darling remembers the Battle at Mansfield and soldiers staying near her afterwards.
	Amy Else remembers soldiers camping near her.
	Allen Williams remembers seeing the first regiment of soldiers out of Marshall to the Civil War.
	

Hunt County

 Campbell, TX
	Mollie Taylor remembers seeing soldiers always riding by her plantation. 

Houston County

 Crockett, TX
	Lucy Remembers soldiers walking by her home.

Jasper County

 Scot Glen remembers seeing soldiers marching down the road with guns.
 Jasper, TX. (Agreement)
	Frank L. Adams never saw an large group of soldiers.
	Will Rhymes remembers seeing soldiers camping.
	Abram Sells remembers soldiers marching.
	Jack White remembers seeing lots of soldiers pass by.
 Magnolia Springs
	Manuel Armstrong remembers seeing soldiers on their way home.
	

Jefferson County

 Beaumont
	Horace Overstreet saw plenty of soldiers during the Civil War.
	

Jim Wells County

 Springfield, TX
	Mollie Kirkland remembers soldiers often passing by her plantation.
	

Liberty County

 Liberty, TX. (Agreement)
	John Price remembers seeing soldiers camping.
	Betty Simmons remembers seeing lots of soldiers, hundreds at a time, and camping at Liberty.
	

Limestone County

 Mexia, Tx.
	William Moore remembers seeing a drove of soldiers on one occasion. 
	

McLennan County

 Waco (Agreement)
	Jake Compton remembers Union soldiers camping very close to his home.
	Aaron Ray remembers seeing soldiers camping.
	

Montgomery County

 Charlotte Beverly frequently saw soldiers during the Civil War.

Nueces County

 Ingleside, TX
	Walter Rimm remembers a battle at Corpus Christi and soldiers coming ashore.

Panola County

 Phoebe Henderson remembers seeing some soldiers walk by during the War.
 Carthage, TX.
	Wash Ingram remembers seeing soldiers and remembers the Battle of Mansfield.

Rusk County

 Henderson, TX.
	Harrison Boyd saw soldiers pass by and set up camp
	

Smith County

 Tyler, TX
	Andrew Goodman saw soldiers walking by.
	

Travis County

 Austin, TX.
	Jessie Pauls remembers seeing lots of soldiers in Austin
	

Tyler County

 Woodville, TX.
	Daphne Williams remember seeing lots of soldiers.

Upshur County

 Gilmer, TX
	Charley Bowen remembers seeing soldiers marching down the road near his house.
	

Waller County

 Pine Island, TX.
	Henry Lewis says he saw soldiers pass almost every day.

Walker County

 Carey Davenport remembers Confederate soldiers marching down the road near her.
	

Washington County

 Henry Baker remembers seeing 200-300 soldiers coming down the road at the end of the war.