The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-22
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We find the following interesting piece of bio
graphy in the Selma (Alabama) Sentinel. The story
is quite remarkable one, and may possibly be true;
but in spite of the air of realism which is given to
1t by the minuteness of its detas,w we in doubt
whether it is not canard after all-TEDs. DAILY
EXCHANGE
AN OLD NEGRO-A SERVANT OF WASHING
TON.
-" me III Talladega county, Il few weeks ago, we
PHs P; an evening at the residence of Major Benia-
f ~ ioot' near Mardisville and there found relic
naoro , oluIionary war, in the shape of an old
@ tht In L whose name is Jerry, and who informed
us I 'na' ne was one hundred and seven wears old
we found the old negro great talker RELATING the
t ieiels anu scenes OF the Revolutionary war with
account of himself c' Which s We gave us the following
formed was true: That he was born the property of
Col. Fauntleroy, of Rappahannock county Va in
!he E{ year l1ot ana while General Washington was
IN Philadelphia, attending the Continental CONGRESS
he purchased him from his master, giving thirty
pounds for him. ''
Seon after he became the property of Washipo
ton. Cen Washington took comr""-' ..
taking Jerry ":1' 'r d.. |.t ......E
Itch position J . a a.... 'a3 u.ts. ....... .rf..
Atraggla 70 .-...... .- .,........ - -..
part in .... ... ....... .. 81.
ngaged. ..a... r....
promin ... .... ..
sheds te -. ..-
ear iced by tt '.....c-s ...-...
especially of til ..t.s 90 -... s....r r4,.r.
After the close r-. ,.y,, WIS taken to
Mount Vernon, where he remained until the year ,
before the death of Gen. Washington, when, be-
coming dscontented, in consequence of his wife
moving to distant neghborhOod, he was sold to
the owner of his wife, A few years after Jerry's
wife died. He again becoming dissatisfied with his
master, was again sold, and finally was carried to
Richmond and placed in the public market where
he was purchased by the father of Colonel Hugh
i. Watson, now Of Montgomery Ala. Mr.. Wat
son kept Jerry until his death when he fell into the
hands of his young master-Co Hugh Watson.
When the war with Mexico took place, and there
was call for volunteers to fight the battles of the
country, Col Watson was one of those who volun-
teered. AS soon as Jerry heard that his young
master was going to war, he declared his master
should not go unless he too went with him. Jerry,
true to his determination, induced by faithful at
tachment to his master, went with the Taladega
volunteers, and many are the jokes told on Jerry by
the Taadega boys Jerry would not only take
every opportunity he could to kill Mexican, but
would, when he could not shoot one, win their mon
ey from the ''yallow DEVILS, Ia very popular phrase
of Jerry's when speaking of the Mexicans.( Jerry
declared that he and one more of the Talladega vol
unteers the name jerry freey " were the only
Americans that could beat the Mexicans at monte
and such other games as they played, and as proof
of it, jerry brought home quite number of Jumps
of gold, which he took great delight in showing
specimens of Mexican currency.
When the service of the Alabama volunteers
pired 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 peases. He stays most of his time at
Major Smoot's, feeding pigs, working in the garden
and doing such little work he feels disposed to
do.
Until within the last year or two Jerry was quite
active, very industrious, and made money for him
self; but within the last year so he has become
quite decrepd. and it is only with the use of his
crutch and stick that he move about.
Jerry told that he at time, felt very
ligious, but when he went to Mexico and found he
could beat the Mexicans easy playing cards, he
lost all his religion.
Jerry is very popular with every member of the
company that went from Taadega to Mexico, and
will fight quick if he hears them spoken of wrong
fully.
He is certainly extraordinary old negro; has
most minute and distinct recollection of the
of the Observation-Disclosures all the prominent Off
GERS and give excellent description of their
appearance-the color of the hair eyes, complexion,
and everything in connection with them. He thinks
| General Washington was n supernatural man, that
all his acts and deeds were under the supervision
! and directed by Providence. lie loves Washington
and hates Arnold. Jerry says he always hated Ar
mold from the first time he saw him at Trenton,
! when dining with General Washington.
We don't know that ever found person in
whose conversation more interested than
in this old negro, and to who is fond of hearing
miraculous tales, Jerry would prove most inter
! estnr.