SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

*• 30759
f Interviewer Miss Irene Robertson
Person interviewed Iaoaa Starn.es. Marianna. Arkansas
Age 78
n I was born in Marshall County, ilabama near Guntersville. Pother
belong to the Starnes* They bought him in Alabama* My parents 1 name was
Jane and Burrel Starnes. They had two children I knew of. When they was
set free they left and started renting* I don f t remember much that happened
before freedom* I picked up chips and put them in a split basket I just
could chin* I'd fill all the baskets and they would haul them up to put
under the iron skillet* Other chaps was picking up chips too. They used
same kinds to smoke the meat* I could tote water on my head and a bucket in
each hand. They was small buckets* We had to come up a path up the hill*
I stumped my toe on the rocks till they would bleed; sometimes it looked
like the nail would come off* My mother was a good cook* I don't know
what she was doing in slavery©
n I been farming all my life. Yes, I owned ninety-eight acres in
Alabama. I had a home on it. I lost it. We brought a suit for water
damage* We lost it, I reckon* They fixed a dam that, ruined my place. I
left and went to the North—to Springfield, Ohio. I started public work
and worked three or four months in a piano factory. I liked farming the
best and come back to it. My boys hope me down hill. I got two boys* My
girl left me all I got now* She is dead* I got a home and twenty~five
acres of ground* She made the money washing, ironing and faming* I
'Plied for the old folks 1 pension but didn't get it and give it up#
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