St. Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1845-1863, 1858-07-01
An old Negro-a Servant of Washing
ton.

While in Talladega county, a few weeks ago,
We snent nm evening at the residence of Major
Benjamin Smont, rear Mardisyille, and there
found a relic of the Revolutionary war, in the
shane q: an old negro man whose name is Jerry
and who informed IT'S that he was one hundred
and seven years old. We found the old negro
. great talker relating the incidents and scenes
Of the Revolutionary war with great zeal and feel
ing. He gave us the following account os him.
self, which we were subsequently informed was
true: That he vas born the property Of Col.
Faunileroy, of Rappa hammock county, Va. in the
yenr 1851, and while General Washington was
in Philadelphia, attending the Continental Con-
gress he purchased him from his master, giving
thirty pounds for him.
Soon after he became the property Of Wash
Ingion. Gen. Washington took coamand Of the
ormy-takiug Jerry along with him as his body
servant, which position Jerry occupied until
the close Of the great struggle for American III
dependence taking an active part IN all the bat
ties in which Washington was engaged. Jerry
recounts with great accuracy, the prominent in.
cidenfs ~ many Of the battles, and shed tears
while relating the hardships experienced by the
soldiers of the American forces especially of the
hardships in the Jersey colony.
After the close Of the war, Jerry was taken to
Mount Vernon, where he remained until tn
year before the death of Gen. Washington.
when becoming disconnected in consequence of
his wife moving to a distant neighborhond, he
was sold to the owner of his wife. A few years
after Jerry 5 wife died. He agaIn becoming dis
satisfied wi his master again sold, and
finally was carried TO Richmond and placed in
the public market, where he was purchased by
the father OF Colonel Hugh p. Watson, now of
Montgomery, Ala. Mr.. Watson kept Jerry
until his death when he fen into the hands of his
young master-CoI. Hugh Watson.
When the war with Mexico took place, ard
there was a call for volunteers 10 fight the bat
ties of the country, Col. Watson was one of
those -Tho volunteered. As soon as Jerry
heard that his young master was going to war,
he declared his master should not go urless he
too went with him. Jerry, true 10 his deterni-
nation, induced by faithful attachment 10 his
master, went with the TaladeSa volunteers, aud
many are the Jokes told on Jerry by the Taa-
dega bows. Jerry would not only take every
opportunity he could TO hill Mexican, but
would, when he could not shoot one, win their
money from the ''yalow devils" q very pop
ular phrase of Terry's when speaking Of the
Mexicans.) Jerry declared that he and one
more Of the Talladega volunteers (the name Jerry
uses freely) were the only Americans that could
beat the MeXIcanS at monte and such other
games as :hey PLAYED, and proof Of II. Jerry
brought home quite number Of Jumps of gold =,
which he took great delight IN showing as spe-
cimens of Mexican currency.
When the service of the Alabama volunteers
expired in Mexico, Jerry returned with his young
master.
Major SmOot finally purchased Jerry's wife,
and Col. Watson gave Jerry permission to go
where and when he pleases. He stays most Of
his time at Major Shoots feeding pigs, work
ing in the garden and dong such little work as
he feels disposed to do.
Until within the Inst year or two, Jerry was
quite active, very industrious, and made money
for himself; hut within the last year or 81 he has
become quite decrepid, and il is only with the
use Of his crutch and stick that he can move
abont. k
Jerry told rs that be, at one time, felt very re-
ligious bat when ne went 20 Mexico and found
he could beat the Mexicans so easy playing
cards, he lost all his religion.
Jerry is very popular with every member Of
the company that vert from Talladega 10 Mex
,co, aud viii fight quick if he hears them spoken
Of wrOngfuliy.
He Is certainly an extraordinary old negro;
has a most minute and distinct recollection Of all
the scenes Of the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. all the
prominent officers, and can give an excellent
description Of their arpearance-the color OF the
hair. eyes, complexion, and everything in con-
nection with them. He thinks General Washing
ton was n supernatural man, that all has acts and
deeds were under the supervision and directed
| by Providence. He loves Washington and
hates Arnold. Jerry says he always hated Ar
pald from the frs; time he ever saw him N
Trenton, when diEing with General Washing
| ton.
We don Z know that we ever found q person
| iE wh0se conversation we were more interested
than In this old negro, and IN one who 10 fond
Of hearing miracal0ns tales, Jerry would prove
most Interesting