—	2..
and worked until Saturday. That day we were allowed to work for ourselves and to garden or to do extra work. When we could get work, or ~vork on corne one else‘s place, we got a pass from the overseer to go off the planta~ tion, but to be back by nine o‘clock on Saturday night or when cabin inspection was made. Seine time we could earn as much as 50 cents a day, which we used to buy cakes, candies)or clothes.

	“On Saturday each slave was given 10 pounds corn meal, a quart of black strap, G pounds of fat back, 3 pounds of flour and vegetables, all of which were raised on the farm. All of the slaves hunted or those who wanted, hunted rabbits, oposrn.uas or fished. These were our choice food as we did not ~et anything special from the overseer.

	“Our food was cooked bY( our mothers or sisters and for those who

were not	married by the old women and men assigned for that work. ttEaoh family was given 3 acres to raise their chickens or vegetables

and i.f a man raised his oi~vn food he was given ~jlO.OO at Christmas time extra, besides his presents.

	“In the summer or when warm weather cane each slave was given some~ thing, the women, linsey goods or gingham clothes, the men overalls, muslin shirts, top and underclothes, two pair of shoes, and a straw hat to work in. In the oold weather, we wore woolen clothes, all made at the sewing cabin.

	“My master was named Tom Ashbie, a meaner man. was never born in Virginia ~ brutal, wicked and hard. He always carried a cowhide with him. If he saw anyone doing something that did not suit his taste, he would have the slave tied to a tree, man or woinan~and then would coiivhide the victim until he got tired, or sometimes, the slave would faint.

“The Ai‘ s home was a large stone tansion, with a porch on

three sides. Wide halls in the center up and do~wn stairs, numerous rooms

and a stone kitchen built on the back conneoted With dining room. ~

•“Mrs. Ashbie was kind and lovely to. her slaves when Mr. Ashbie was