Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1853-05-17
MISCELLANEOUS,
For the Enquirer
UNCLE WILLIS.

UNCLE WILLIS
BY KATE
Scattered among negro population of our Southern
States are often found specimens original character which
ore we'll worth preserving old family servants who have
grown gray the household service of Of the ariso
cratic Maryland or Virginia famies,he Calverts or the
Randophs-and who consider themselves as much part OF
the family their young masters or mistresses whom they
have grow up around them.
Such an one was Uncle Willis, who, when first knew
him. ten years ago. already old that nobody could tell
when he born. He himself who was proud OF his age,
said he hundred, and pretended TO know Gen. Wash.
npton when he was little boy. believed him then, but
now grown WISER that he was TOO active TO
have been more seventy and that his stories Of Gene
raj Washington have been traditions handed down from
older passed away Stl then, now, Uncle
Wiss stories and jokes my avorite amusement and
many evening have ] spent in the old family kitchen
teazing him into telling General Washington looked
when he spend the day with ''old massa"-how
though he only years old, he still his hair in
queue and walked with gold headed cane.
Uncle Willis had negros love of profitable joke. His
regular salu,aon when he 10 good humo was, Hi!
John lay you got hole 10 your stocking" After
The careful examination, would say, mo have NJ
Uncle Willis" "No,! What you bet-you bet me hp?"
ayes I'll bet fp." "You stand to il now, for ue for
sartin2" EYES," SWELL If you got ahole in your clock
Ing how you get your foot in? Hi hi hi! massa John,
guess old niger for you dat tme If this
mony gone through with every day. Uncle Willis would
st please himself with the idea that he had overreeched me
afresh.
few years ago. Uncle Willis of the best perform
the banjo that the country could produce and his de-
light assemble the young people OF the plantation in
evening" in the yard before the quarters and play for
them dancewhe his happiness would be rendered com
ples his young and mstresses with any of their
md Ri
the time came when Uncle Willis "go religion" travel
ing Baptist preacher all the negroes the esae
and from that time had dancing more merry
negro songs "Ciar kitchen" and alabama Joe" gave
way 10 "When read my title clear" and something
more dolorous still about "Jordans farther shore"
Getting religion did not improve uncle Wlis's Christian
spirit remember standing him, when the
1.-THE object of his hatred and contempt always
ken of poor white rash had given him some light job
such carrying wood, 10 perform.
Uncle Wilss dignity was oiended he had been In the
habit OF receiving orders from his MASTER his Mistress
but he did dare dsobey he about the work
muttering "~hen Pm in Abrahams bosom, and that poor
white trash 10 in other place lay I'll not give him one
drop of cool his tongue if massa Abraham
fog me for doing his errands!'
In his new sphere member OF church, Uncle Willis
obliged to look around for Of obtaining
tce for his vanity like that of negroes insaa
ble He being Leader al the meetings,
and last he look 10 preaching In Southern States,
the negroes are seldom allowed assemble for public
worship, without the restraining presence Of one two
white people; this duty generally performed by some of
the elder members Of The Willie congregations but failing
lhem it some times fell share. One morning Uncle
Willis found that be present the service and he
prepared his and prayer accordingly "y brethren
you see young John what's here7 am giving
10 preach and pray altogether for his benefit Tor hopes
he'll be brand snatched from the burning
And sure enough he only preached but prayed directly
al me- being aided through the whole and prayer by
The groans and shou,ngs of his companions.
1t was of the ordeals passed through
being mixture Of the comic and solemn Whic really
painful.
The next day met Uncle Willis
"Massa John, what you think of my sermon 7"
II am very much obliged to you Uncle Willis"
Hi de Bishop neber take much pains for your soul
old Uncle Willis"
Uncle Willis is bed ridden and scarcely able 10 dc
more than nod his head and chucke, when call back his
old jokes With him will pass away of the links which
bound youth and Of the last remaining speci
mems of class which belongs the times which gone
roads into the habits and of the old families Of Ma
ryland and Virginia.
CINcINsArI, 1853.