SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

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Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson .
Person Interviewed Mahalia Shores, Marianna, Arkansas
Age 77
"I was born in Greene County, Georgia. My owner was Jim Jackson, He
bought my mother r s father. She was raised on Jim Jackson 1 s place. I rec f -
collect a right smart about slavery times* He made us dress up and let the
nigger traders* see what little niggers I got. We thought it was nice. What
fine limbs we had. Aunt Judy—some called her 'big maiaaa* —lived down under
the hill* She was old and seen after the children. The biggest children
took care and nursed the little ones. On Wednesday and Saturday the cook
made ginger cakes for the little children* The house girl called us. She
was Aunt Teena's girl. Aunt Teena iuas a housemaid. See little niggers
coming from every direction to get our cakes.
"Jim Jackson 1 s wife was named Mariah. They lived in a big fine white
house. When it was freedom a soldier come, brought a paper and Massa Jim
was set tin* on the porch. Tom Chapman was his overseer* They rung the big
farm bell and had the oldest niggers stand in a line and us little ones in
front so we could all see. Tom Chapman read the paper and stood by the
soldier* He had two big plantations* Massa Jim got sick that day and
vomited and vomited* He lived a week or two weeks. They sent for Rr* Ducham
but he couldn f t do him no good. He died. Massa Jim told them they could
take the teams and go to town, all he ax of f em was to feed and take care of
! enu Every one of the grown folks went and left us at home* Aunt Judy seen
'bout us like she been doing all the time* They went over to Greensboro