SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

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30313
Interviewer Beulah Sherwood Hagg
Person interviewed Mrs* Charlotte B* Stephens Age 85
1420 West 15th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
I was born right here in Little Bock* My father was owned by a
splendid family - the Ashleys* The family of Noah Badgett owned my
mother and the children* Pardon me, madam, and I shall explain how
that was* In many cases the father of children born in slavery could
not be definitely determined* There was never a question about the
mother * From this you will understand that the children belonged to
the master who owned the mother* This was according to law*
My father f s family name was Andrews* How did it happen that
it was not Ashley? * * • • Oh, my dear, you have been misinformed
about all slaves taking the name of the master who owned them when
peace came* . . • No, madam* My father was named William Wallace
Andrews after his father, who was an English gentleman* He had come
to Missouri in early days and owned slaves. • ♦ • Yes, my grandfather
was white. The Ashleys brought my father to Arkansas Territory when
they came. They always permitted him to keep his family name. Many
other masters did the same*
From the standpoint of understanding between the white and
colored races, Little Rock has always been a good place to live. The
better class families did not speak of their retainers as slaves; they
were called servants. Both my parents were educated by their masters*
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