(1855) May 29th, 1855.—We have been here in Tennessee for some weeks. Father did not come with us as he expected to do. At the last something happened which made it necessary for him to stay at home. When I asked mother what it was, she did not tell me, but Fannie told me, one night when I was getting ready for bed, that some white men, who had no business on the place, had come in the night and were hidden away on the place. Fannie said they were some of the “Abolition crew.” I asked more questions but she would tell, me no more and she told me to keep my mouth shut; so I do not really know anything about it. I do not even know what she meant by “Abolition crew.” I hope it is nothing that will hurt father.
Susan Bradford was 9 years old when this 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