SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

0 ; V/ V.X «..>■ *..*.' 166
Interviewer Mra» Bernice Bowden
Person interviewed Senva Singfield ____
1613 W. Second Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Age 74
•I was born in Washington, Virginia right at the foot of the Blue
Ridge. Mountains• My mother was sold when I was a babe in her arms. She
was sold three times. I know one time when she had four children she
was sold and one of my brothers was sold away unbeknownst to her. Her
old master sold her away from her mistress. She was a cook and never
was mistreated*
n I ain f t never been to schools When I got big enough, my mother
was a widow and I had to start out and make a living. I f ve always
been a cook. Used to keep a boarding house, up until late years# I f ve
washed and ironed, sewed a right smart and quilted quilts* I f ve done
anything I could to turn an honest living. -Oh I f ve been through it but
I'm still here. I've been a widow over forty years*
W I think the folks nowdays are about run out. They are go in* too
fast. When I was comin 1 up, I had to have some manners. My mother
didn't low me to f spute nobody."