The Story of Mattie J. Jackson | Page 8

so
large a family, and proposed to my mother that we should work out and
he take part of the pay. My mother told him she would need what she
earned for my little brother's support. Finally the Captain consented,
and I was the first to be disposed of. The Captain took me in his buggy
and carried me to the Depot, and I was put into a Union family, where I
remained five months. Previous to my leaving, however, my mother
and the Captain entered into a contract--he agreeing not to sell us, and
mother agreeing not to make her escape. While she was carrying out
her promise in good faith, he was plotting to separate us. We were all

divided except mother and my little brother, who remained together.
My sister remained with one of the rebels, but was tolerably treated.
We all fared very well; but it was only the calm before the rending
tornado. Captain T. was Captain of the boat to Memphis, from which
the Union soldiers had rescued us. He commenced as a deck hand on
the boat, then attained a higher position, and continued to advance until
he became her Captain. At length he came in possession of slaves.
Then his accomplishments were complete. He was a very severe slave
master. Those mushroom slaveholders are much dreaded, as their
severity knows no bounds
Bondage and torture, scourges and chains Placed on our backs indelible
stains.
I stated previously, in relating a sketch of my mother's history, that she
was married twice, and both husbands were to be sold and made their
escape. They both gained their freedom. One was living,--the other died
before the war. Both made every effort to find us, but to no purpose. It
was some years before we got a correct account of her second husband,
and he had no account of her, except once he heard that mother and
children had perished in the woods while endeavoring to make their
escape. In a few years after his arrival in the free States he married
again.
When about sixteen years of age, while residing with her original
master, my mother became acquainted with a young man, Mr. Adams,
residing in a neighboring family, whom she much respected; but he was
soon sold, and she lost trace of him entirely, as was the common
occurrence with friends and companions though united by the nearest
ties. When my mother arrived at Captain Tirrell's, after leaving the boat,
in her excitement she scarce observed anything except her little group
so miraculously saved from perhaps a final separation in this world.
She at length observed that the servant who was waiting to take her to
the Captain's residence in the country was the same man with whom
she formed the acquaintance when sixteen years old, and they again
renewed their acquaintance. He had been married and buried his wife.
It appeared that his wife had been in Captain Tirrell's family many

years, and he also, for some time. They had a number of children, and
Capt. Tirrell had sold them down South. This cruel blow, assisted by
severe flogging and other ill treatment, rendered the mother insane, and
finally caused her death.
In agony close to her bosom she pressed, The life of her heart, the child
of her breast-- Oh love from its tenderness gathering might Had
strengthed her soul for declining age.
But she is free. Yes, she has gone from the land of the slave; The hand
of oppression must rest in the grave. The blood hounds have missed the
scent of her way, The hunter is rifled and foiled of his prey.
After my mother had left the Captain to take care of herself and child,
according to agreement with the Captain, she became engaged to Mr.
Adams. He had bought himself previously for a large price. After they
became acquainted, the Captain had an excellent opportunity of
carrying out his stratagem. He commenced bestowing charity upon Mr.
Adams. As he had purchased himself, and Capt. T. had agreed not to
sell my mother, they had decided to marry at an early day. They hired a
house in the city and were to commence housekeeping immediately.
The Captain made him a number of presents and seemed much pleased
with the arrangement. The day previous to the one set for the marriage,
while they were setting their house in order, a man called and enquired
for a nurse, pretending he wanted one of us. Mother was absent; he said
he would call again, but he never came. On Wednesday evening we
attended a protracted meeting. After we had returned home and retired,
a loud rap was heard at the door. My Aunt enquired who was there. The
reply was, "Open the door