13&14
Mr. Goodrich was figuring out everything that happens and
getting ready for court. Then he told me it would help him if I went to court
with him to say my side of the story. I didn't want to because Mr. Ivers would
be there and try to hurt me. But I went for Uncle Jack. I got there and it was
so big there. There were big windows and doors. We walked into the room and Mr.
Ivers was sitting there. He said, “Oh it’s you again”. I saw Uncle Jack sitting
all chained up. I was sitting there while they were debating about it. Then Mr.
Goodrich showed the judge the war papers about Uncle Jack being free. He told
the judge that Mr. Ivers was trying to keep him in slavery. Then he told the
judge I was a free nigger. The judge thought about it for a while and said that
Mr. Ivers had lost a case. I looked at Uncle Jack; he had the biggest smile on
his face.
So after all of that, I was free. I knew that sense I was a
woman that I wasn't going to be all the way free. But I wouldn't have to work
for anyone. I was going to go back to Mr. Fraunces and try to learn from him. I
wanted to own my one tavern when I was older, but it was going to take a lot of
work. Uncle Jack was free; he went and worked at a fishing business so he could
buy Aunt Betsy and Cousin Dan freedom. It was going to take a while but I knew
he was going to do it. So the war brought me my Pa and Ma death and an
adventure. It made me stronger and the responsibility of being on my own.
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