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STORY OF ~TOSEPH LNDERSON


1113 Hankln Street	. . .

Wilmington, N. C. O

	“Yes‘xn I was born a slave. I belong to Mr. T. C. McLLhenny who had a big rice plantation “Eagles Nest“ In Brunswick County. It was a big p~aoe. He had 1ot~ofslaves, an‘ he wa~s a good man. My mother and father died when I was Thurteen. Father died in February 1865 and my mother died of pneumonia in November 18654 My older sister took charge of me.“

Interviewer:	“Can you read and write?“

	Joseph: “Oh yes, I can write a little. I can make my rtarks. I can write my rame. No‘ni I can‘t read. I never went to school a day in my life. I just “picked up“ what I know.

	“1 don‘t remember much about slave times. I was . fourteen when I was freed. After I was freed we lived between 8th and 9th on Chestnut. We rented a place from Dan O‘Connor a real estate man. and paid. hint ~5 a month rent. I‘ve been married twice. First time was married by Mr. Ed Taylor, magis— trate in Southport, Bruiaswick County. I was married to my first wife twenty years and eight months. Then she died. I was married again when I was seventy.~fIve years old. I was married to my second wife just a few years when she died.

	“I was on the police force for a year and a half. I was eLected April 6, 1895. Mr. Mcllhenny was an oie man then an‘ I used. to go to see him.