A Narrative of the Life of Rev. Noah Davis, A Colored Man | Page 2

of my father, removed from the farm, where my
father died, and spent the remainder of her days in Fredericksburg, with
her children. She lived to good old age, and fell asleep in Jesus, Dec. 24,
1831.
My father had been allowed to keep a cow and horse, for his own use;
and to raise and feed his hogs and poultry from the mill. He had the
privilege of keeping his children with him, until they were old enough
to put out to such trades as they might choose. I had several brothers
and one sister. Two of my brothers, one older, the other younger than
myself, lived with our parents, at this place. My oldest brother worked
in the mill, with my father, while my youngest brother and I did little
else than play about home, and wait upon our mother. I had several
playmates, besides my brothers, and among them were the sons of Col.
Thom, and the servant boys who stayed at his house. Although many
years have passed away since, it gives me pleasure, even now, to
recollect the happy seasons I enjoyed with the playmates of my

childhood.
But this pleasant state of things was not to continue long. The owners
of the mill and farm concluded to sell out the whole concern. My father
and his family then removed to another farm, belonging to our owner,
located in Culpepper county, near Stevensburg. Here I remained nearly
two years, working, part of the time, with a carpenter, who was
building a summer residence for my master; and the rest of the time,
assisting my father to cultivate as much ground as he and his family
could tend. Here I learned something of a farmer's life. The overseer,
Mr. Daniel Brown, had the reputation of being one of the best overseers
in the county. But my father's family was not put under him further
than for his protection; for after our owner sold the mill, he set my
parents free, and allowed them to maintain themselves, by cultivating
as much ground on the farm as they needed.
Sometimes my father would leave his little place in charge of my
brother Robert and myself, and would hire himself to work in some
mill, or go peddling poultry, vegetables, &c., at some of the market
places around.
CHAPTER II.
Apprenticed to the shoe-making--Learns housework--Intemperance--"A
negro can't be trusted"--Learning how to write and cipher.
In December, 1818, for the first time in my life, I left my parents, to go
a distance from home; and I was sad at the thought of parting with
those whom I loved and reverenced more than any persons on earth.
But the expectation of seeing Fredericksburg, a place which, from all I
had then learned, I supposed must be the greatest place in the world,
reconciled me somewhat with the necessity of saying Good-bye to the
dear ones at home. I arrived at Fredericksburg, after a day and a half's
travel, in a wagon--a distance of some fifty miles. Having arrived in
town, a boy green from the country, I was astonished and delighted at
what appeared to me the splendor and beauty of the place. I spent a
merry Christmas at my old master's stately mansion, along with my

older brother, and for a while forgot the home on the farm.
But soon, another home was selected for me, where I might learn a
trade, and as I preferred the boot and shoe-making, I was put to Mr.
Thomas Wright, a man of sterling integrity, who was considered the
best workman in the whole town. Here I had an older brother living,
which was some inducement for my going to live with Mr. Wright. I
was bound, to serve until I should be twenty-one years old. This was in
January, 1819.
Upon entering with Mr. Wright, I learned that the colored boys had to
serve one year with Mrs. Wright, in the house and kitchen. The object
of this was to train them for future usefulness, when called from the
shop, to serve as waiters or cooks. Mrs. Wright was a good manager,
and a very particular housekeeper. I used to think she was too particular.
But I have learned better since. I have often wished, when I have been
seeking homes for my children, that I could find one like Mrs. Wright.
She would spare no pains to teach her servants how she wanted her
work done; and then she would spare no pains to make them do it. I
have often looked back, with feelings of gratitude and veneration, to
that pious lady, for her untiring perseverance in training me up in the
way I should go. But she is gone, as I trust, to receive the reward of
righteousness, in a