Viewing page 41 of 239

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

All were born and reared on this plantation. Mr H. states "We thought to keep Diana & her children. She was "a mean nigger" and kept up a trouble — and he drove her off— denies having threatened to shoot her "as he took care not to promise what he could not do" — said Diana has a bad reputation in this community & having married a freedman "Clarkston" has not bettered it— Mr H. acknowledges the necessity of educating these freed-children but said "the people of this vicinity will not allow a school organized here." His children had offered and would instruct these children if they so desired, but of course thier desire will not be strong enough. Mr H. is an intelligent man, & seems a gentleman, and is so regarded by the citizens. He has not paid Diana for the services of her children and proposes not to pay her. has paid it to them acknowledging them free & so intends to do. I think these freed children are at present better off here than they would be with thier Mother. however my experience has taught me that Mr H^s class of people when visited in this way are very deceptive — and I think he intends to have the three smaller boys bound to him by the County court, representing them to have been