"We didn't have schools; started them the second year after freedom. Old General Butler give us old slaves a home each and a small patch to work.
"I married when I was 21 years old, the first time in Edgefield County, now called Saluda County. I have six children, nine grand-children, and four great-grand-children.
"I think Abe Lincoln was good man and he was Providential arrangement. I think Jeff Davis was good man, same. Booker T. Washington is good man, done lots for young niggers. I rather like it now, and not slavery time. I joined church when I was 18 to turn from evil ways and to live a better life."
SOURCE: Henry Ryan (83), Newberry, S.C.; by G. Leland Summer, Newberry, S.C.
Project 1885-1
Folklore
Spartanburg, Dist. 4
Oct. 11, 1937
Edited by:
Elmer Turnage
STORIES FROM EX-SLAVES
"I live in a rented three-room house with my daughter. I am too old to do much work, but I work where I can get little jobs that I can do.
"The slaves did not expect anything after Freedom, for the South was in such a bad fix. They just got jobs where they could find them. Most of them worked as share-croppers or wage hands on the farms, and have worked like this since that time. Some few have rented farms. When any moved to town they got jobs where they could.
"I never thought much about Reconstruction. Some slaves voted at first, but when Wade Hampton was elected they didn't get to vote much.