In 1864, with the end of the Civil War in sight, many slaves had already begun their flight to the north, hoping to get to the "free states" while the southern masters were preoccupied with protecting their homes from the onslaught of northern troops. Many, felt their freedom could not come easily, and in the end their lives would not be different from what they had always been accustomed to. So with this uncertainty, they set out in small bands,some family members, or simply groups fleeing for a common purpose.
The owner of one large plantation, Clarence Barton, located in Lawenceville, Georgia, had never been harsh with his slaves,thinking of them not necessarily as family, but at least as human beings of a lower order. Most favored by Barton was Chase Thomas, who shared a closesness in age and with whom he had shared a friendship, which had transcended that of master and slave. One morning Chase was summoned to the parlor and told to be seated, and wait for Barton to join him. This was not unusual, for many times he had sat in pleasant conversation with Barton, in this very room. Within a few moments,Barton walked into the room, closing the sliding doors, walked over to Chance, and seated himself in a chair opposite, and after reflecting for a moment, began speaking."Chance I need to tell you that our life as we know it will soon be coming to an end. I'm sure you know how the war has been going?" Chance knew that the southern states were not doing well, from the talk he had overheard in town when he went to the store,on errands,and walking by the livery stable he had see many wagons being refitted with new wheels and singletrees. He knew something was in the air. "Suh,I knowed people seemed some edgy for a while now, but I wouldn't know the way fightin is goin" Barton stood up, walked to the fireplace, staring at the small flame flickering there, and again spoke."There is a great and terrible army of men coming this way bent on destroying everything I've known since birth, and there is no stopping them." Barton reached to the mantle of the fireplace,picking up an envelope. "I have here,papers which will prove to any who may ask, that I have released you, Libby,Betsy,Barney,Robin, and Charles and Oh, yes,as you know, I have sent James to the church to help out with the upkeep there. His paper is also here. I am going to miss you all as is your mistress, Amelia. These are legal papers giving you your freedom, but you still need to be careful,since some would harm you just because of who you are.I can offer you no protection, only my fond hope that you all make for yourselves a good and happy life where ever you find haven. It might be better if you all left after dark. You are all welcome to take whatever food you can carry. I need to be about my own plans now,to care for my family, so good-bye to you, and God-speed." After grasping Chase's hand in a firm handshake,Barton walked slowly toward the doors, and stood for a moment. Then reaching into his pocket, retrieved a few coins. "I haven't much to give you for your journey, but take these coins and keep then in a safe place. they are gold and equal to about an ounce, and in total worth, about fifty-three dollars." With that, Barton,a bit misty eyed, Chance thought,turned and left the room never to be seen by Chance again.
That evening,the group started out, first toward Laurenceville to meet with James, then getting off the road began making their way through the woods. Chance knew that if he followed a stream, against the flow, he would be going north.
Now, they had been traveling for fifteen days not knowing how far they had gone, not knowing the land outside the home from which they had come, Walking only at night avoiding the paths and roads. Chance,being the oldest of the party,was muscular and in good health,standing over six feet, with graying hair, and the beginning of wrinkles around his mouth, but his stance was straight, and there seemed to be no limit to his energy, having an intuition that had kept them all safe to this point.Although he would never make the claim,everyone in the group, looked to him as their leader, as well as friend.
There were seven in the group, one of which was Chance's woman, whom he considered his wife, but formalities of marriage had not been done. Her name was Libby, and she was also beginning to show a bit of gray,but her features were that of a lady in her late thirties, with a handsome high-cheeked face, and beautiful almond eyes. Their daughter, being the other woman, was equally lovely, and seemingly unattached.Her name was Betsy, her age somewhere in the mid-teens, and still having the attractive plumpness of youth,endowed with a face of rich chocolate, and the glow of natural healthful sheen. Libby stood between her and any of the men who looked too longingly at her.
There were two men in the party, to whom Chance seemed especially close, and the three of them spent much time together.
Barney, the larger of the two, appeared to be in his mid forties, with a disposition which left no room for levity or any joyful thoughts. Not that he was mean spirited, only that he was inspired by only one thought. He had dreamed and longed for freedom,from that day in Africa when he had been stolen and sold by a mulatto slave trader when he was a child. Of all the group, Barney was the only one who had ever seen the home of his origin, and still had vague memories of what his past had been.Earlier, he had dreamed of the simple, happy life he had lived with his mother and father but as the thoughts of home faded into misty visions, all he had left was the fact that he had been free, and must one day regain that freedom.
Robin, being more jovial, had nothing to compare his life to. All he had ever known was being owned by another, and never questioned his lot in life. Only recently, with the talk and obvious concern and even fear shown by the owners, had he really considered another way of living. Now with all this talk of being able to make decisions and plans independently of the white men who dictated his every move,he was becoming more aware of a larger destiny. Now his generally happy nature, was being directed to what he felt could be a fruitful life.
Without ever disclosing his feelings, or saying a word, he had shared secret glances with Betsy, and he could feel closeness developing between them both.
Charles was simply following the group because he felt a loyalty to Chance,who had, along with Libby, shown him a kindness he could never forget. There was a school, Lawrenceville Female Seminary, which was located about two miles from the Barton plantation. Sometimes when walking back from town,after finishing an errand he would stop and marvel at the play and recreation of the white children. The girls playing tag, with ribbons flying from the backs of their hair,or simply laughing with glee as they enjoyed the sunny days in the school yard. His thoughts were only of the different lives they lived, as opposed to the work-filled childhood he had endured, trying to make sense of his lot in life.
While he was contemplating the scene, he was observed by Harmon Kleg the burly professor who was in command of the school,coming with long deliberate strides, straight toward him, with a knob handled cane, red in the face and screaming words which seemed unintelligible to Charles. When he was close enough, he grasped the bottom of the cane, smashing the knurled top into Charles' face,breaking his nose, and causing a large split on his lower lip. After questioning him as to where he was supposed to be, he was sent back to the Barton plantation.
Upon seeing the bleeding Charles, Amelia Barton's first reaction was one of disgust, not toward Charles, but for Professor Kleg. Charles had been with the family for fifteen years, and she knew him to be a good worker, and since being acquired when he was sixteen years old, had never done anything to be disciplined for. He needed to be scolded sometimes for day-dreaming or simply lost in thought, but he had always behaved in a way in which she believed an owned man should.
When her husband informed her of the charges brought against Charles, she flatly replied that the man was lying. However, The school master had described a look of lust, directed toward the young girls as they played in the school yard, so she felt that she really should speak to Charles and hear his version of the affair.
She and her husband went to Charles' cabin, to find Chance and Libby ministering to his wounds, and were shocked at the sight of his face.
She was quite fond of Chance and Libby. She knew Chance to be honest
and felt that he could articulate the circumstances even better than Charles.After talking to Chance, she concluded that since she knew the nature of Charles, it had simply been a misunderstanding on the part of the instructer. She gave Libby and Chance permission to tend to the wounds at least till the following day.
Chance interceded for Charles with Mr. Barton, and eventually, the matter was forgotten.
Ironically,months later, the instructer, Kleg, was discovered by a fellow teacher, spying on the girls through a hole he had made in the back of one of the girls' privies, and was forcibly removed from his position, eventually being run out of town on a rail. Having barely escaped with his life, he was never heard of again.
James, was perhaps the the most unique of the group. Small in stature, and not given to lengthy conversation, he would simply
follow whatever direction and advice was given him, never offering opposing sugestions, but accepting all decisions of the group.
James had not lived long on the plantation with the others, although he was the property of Clarence Barton. Since he had been brought to the Barton home as a young man, who in the mind of Mrs. Barton was "feeble minded" her natural sympathy was to merely provide a home for him. Her husband agreed, perhaps because the price he paid seemed to be merely a pittance. James' main duties were that of caring for the house, helping the girls with cleaning, washing windows and making beds. At one point, Mrs. Barton came into the drawing room unexpectedly, and to her astonishment found James holding the family bible, and asked him what he was doing with the book. After telling her that he enjoyed reading scripture,she immediately snatched it from his hands, and asked him how he had come to learn to read. She herself had learned to read while at the girls' seminary, but this was the first time she had ever known a negro who could read. In fact it was hardly legal for this to be the case. She was then informed that when he was a child he had lived with a parson,who felt it was entirely appropriate for him to be taught his "letters" How was it possible she wondered, that James, whom she had thought of as nearly an idiot, could master the ability to read? She was feeling that it was possible she had been mislead.
She admonished him for wasting time and neglecting his chores, and as an afterthought, forbade him to tell anyone else of his knowledge of book reading.
Shortly after, he was sent to live at the the church near Laurenceburg where he was assigned a small cabin on the church grounds, and given the responsibility of tending to the upkeep of the church, cutting fire wood, and arranging everything to prepare for Sunday morning worship. James was in his element! He found that after all his work was done, he could still find time to read the bible, and soon became more knowledgeable in scripture, than the church parson himself. When he confided in the parson, that he did indeed know how to read and understand the bible, and the joy he had in knowing he would someday join the saints in heaven, the parson informed him that unfortunately he could not join in that eternal bliss. The bible referred only to a white heaven. Negros had been appointed by God to serve their white masters, however they could never join them in heaven.But James thought, a black man must have also been made in God's image. The bible didn't mention black or white, only God and man. Even a man of God such as this minister could have missed some of the devine truth. James lay the bible on the altar knowing he would never return. But the scriptures were in his head, and they would always be with him. He had only yesterday agreed to go with Chance to find that land where freedom was for all men,no matter what paint god had brushed him with. Whatever lay ahead, he had to think on this 'til he got it right.
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