Betty Jones (b. 1863)
Charlottesville, Va.
Interviewer: Unknown
Date of interview: Unknown
Source: Negro in Virginia, published version, p. 209
Gramma used to tell dis story to ev’ybody dat would lissen, an’ I spec’ I heered it a hundred times. Gramma say she was hired out to de Randolphs during de war. One day whilst she was weedin’ corn another slave, Mamie Tolliver, come up to her an’ whisper, “Sarah, dey tell me dat Marse Lincum done set all us slaves free.” Gramma say, “Is dat so?” an’ she dropped her hoe an’ run all de way to de Thacker’s place—seben miles it was—an run to ole Missus an’ looked at her real hard. Den she yelled, “I’se free! Yes, I’se free! Ain’t got to work fo’ you no mo’. You can’t put me in yo’ pocket now!” Gramma say Missus Thacker started boo-hooin’ an’ threw her apron over her face an’ run in de house. Gramma knew it was true den.
