SLAVE NARRATIVES - Library of Congress

There have always been separate schools for the races* I am able to
remember the names of the first teachers in the Quaker school; J* H*
Binford was the principal and his sister taught the primary depart-
ment * Other teachers were Miss Anna Wiles (or fare), Miss Louise
Coffin, Miss Lizzie Garrison^and Sarah Henley.
I was about 11 years old when peace came and was living with
my mother and the other children on the Badgett plantation about 7
miles east of Little Bock* Mother did laundry and general house work*
Being a small child, all that was asked of me was to run errands and
amuse the little white children* Madam, if I could tell you the great
difference between slave owners it would help you in understanding
conditions of today among the colored people* Both my father and my
mother had peculiar privileges* The Ashley family were exceptional
slave owners; they permitted their servants to hire their time* There
was class distinction, perhaps to greater extent than among the white
people* Yes, madam, the slaves who lived in the family with master
and mistress were taught just about the same as their own children*
At any rate, they imitated them in all matters; to speak with a low
voice, use good English, the niceties of manners, good form and cour-
tesy in receiving and attending guests*
I began teaching in Little Hock schools when I was 15 years
old and am still teaching* In all, it is 69 years, and my con-
tract is still good* My first experience as a teacher, (as I told
you I was fifteen) was by substituting for a teacher in that first
Missionary school, in 1869* For some reason, she did not return, and
the School Board appointed me in her place* After one year I was given
s - 228