My Family and I
I was born into slavery on June 15, 1789 in Charles County, Maryland. My mother was owned by Dr. Josiah M., but she was hired by my father's master, Mr. N. The only thing I can remenber of that time is my dad limping in to our hut all black, blue, and covered with blood. He had been beaten for hitting an overseer who had attacked mom. Soon after, dad was sold south and mother and our family, my three sisters and three brothers, returned to Dr. Josiah's plantation. There we stayed for three years before our master passed away and all his property sold at auction. I watched as each of my siblings was sold to a different master and then mother was auctioned to a Mr. Issac R. Mother begged him to buy me too, but he turned a cold shoulder and kicked her away. A stranger bought me and I immediately fell ill. In the throes of death, I was offered to Mr. R. for an irresistible price thus reunited with my mother.
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