Warning
The following post contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the post is provided unedited for its historical content and context.
(1855) December 20th.—I know a little bit now. It is something Uncle Kinchen found out and told Grandpa. It is about those same Abolitionists and it must be serious, for the grown-up folks all look troubled. When Grandpa told what uncle Kinchen had found out, he said: “Kinchen is trustworthy and absolutely faithful. You know how often he and Amy have accompanied me to Northern cities, they have frequently been approached by Abolition agents, but their talk had no effect on them whatever.
“Since the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin these agents have grown bolder and there have been instances where they have carried off negroes, who were unwilling to leave their owners. Fearing this, I made out manumission papers for Amy and Kinchen and had them recorded at Halifax court house, for it was my intention to take them with me to Boston, which is, as you all know, the very hot-bed of Abolitionism. Before leaving home I gave them these papers and explained their meaning, telling them that henceforth they were as free as I myself am.
“We went to Boston and just as. was expected, the Abolitionists swarmed around the old couple, like yellow jackets around a sugar kettle, but, when they found that they were really free they lost interest and let them be.
“We stayed several weeks. I had business there and when business was disposed of, I paid a long-promised visit to General Green. When we were again at home I was very busy and did not take much notice of little things, but one day something peculiar in Kinchen’s face made me observe him closely. I also took a good look at Amy and she, too, seemed to have something on her mind, so I questioned Kinchen as to the trouble.
“‘Marster,’said he, ‘it’s dese here Free Stiffikites, what you gin ter me an’ Amy, we ain’t got no use fer dem. Ef ’t gits out mongst de plantations ’round erbout dat we is free niggers, we won’t ever hav’ no ’spectability nur standin’ in dis kummubity.”
This made us laugh and then Fannie and Bill brought in the bedroom candles and we said “good night” and went to bed. I did not sleep well. I dreamed the Abolitionists were after me and they like the Devil as uncle Aleck describes him, with horns and cloven feet. When I told father this he said “That is the fruit cake you ate last night,” Perhaps it was.
Susan Bradford was 9 years old when this 1855 entry was made.
Diary entries from before 1860 are included when the content is relevant to the issues that led to or framed the American Civil War. — MpG 5/21/2020