Slavery

[Christine]

I just found my husband's ggg grandfather's probate records (coincidentally named John Booth). He lived in Alabama, and we knew he had a few slaves. I thought I understood the emotions of that time mixed with our time and the effect it had on me. I thought I was 'open minded' enough to not judge him based on today's standards.

I found the page listing the 'negros' and their 'value.' (1864) The adult males were 'valued' at $3500. Then I saw the value for the little 'negro' boy - William Thomas - $500. It hit me so hard when I saw that John's horse ($800) was 'valued' more than the little boy! A child who had no more 'value' than a horse. I felt like somebody punched me. I thought about my own children and grandchildren, and wondered how I would have felt had someone given them a value of less than an animal! https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH...Z:84657420

A few pages later were records of his guardianship of his step children and the process of settling their estate from their late father. Their 'negros' were to be hired for the benefit of the children. But included in the advertisement for the hire were many conditions; "the highest bidder and persons hiring said negros will be bound to give said negros two new suits of cotton cloths and one suit of wool cloths one pair of new shoes one new blanket and wool hat, said negros shall not be carried out of the county nor be carried into any sickly place. person hiring shall pay all doctor bills that may be necessary for the health of said negros and they shall not be treated with any cruel punishment. any person or persons hiring of said negros and not complying with these obligations shall be liable to damages in all cases. 8th day of January 1849." https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH...Z:84657420

I want to hope that the humane conditions were based on kindness, charity, and love, and not an economic necessity. . .

Do you think we will ever truly understand slavery and its impact on everybody - not just the slaves, but the owners, the abolitionists, the fence sitters - and us?