Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-01-12

that of the generality of slave women in old
age-her masters home being in or near Mem.
phis.
Buck, 'the boy" seems to have been en-
ployed considerably as a river hand. He was
in service on a boat which was lying at New
Orleans about the time of the famous battle at
that city in the last war with Great Britain
and was sent by his master or owner to serve
on that eventful occasion, and yet bears marks
OF the wounds he received in the conflict
Later, he was in demand in Memphis and 9th
er places as an MISUNDERSTANDING acquired
knowledge Of many dialects during his life
with the Indians. He also often had occasion
to act as guide to parties exploring or hunting
in the country west of the Mississippi. He
gained his freedom about the year 1880 or
1881. Having built cabin on the Arkansas
side OF the river, nearly opposite Memphis, the
owner of his mother gave her to him. and he
took her home. She was then something over
ninety years of age, and he had also become
what might be called old man. Uncle
Buck was, at this time, as he had been for
some years, quite an important parsonage in
and around Memphis His personal pres
ence was such as to command respect and
even awe from all the younger blacks,
and his services as guide and interpre-
ter, combined with his well known spirit, gave
him standing with the whites not usually ac-
corded to persons of his race. Granny Wilson
was almost universally known, and was an
especial favorite with the river men. During
the years of her residence with her "boy" on
the Arkansas side, it was her custom to be
often taken across the river, that she might
sit on the wharf and receive the notice and
small charities of the steamboat captains and
others. Uncle Bucks cabin was not far from
lake much resorted to for fishing purposes
and many were the people who called to pay
their respects to the old woman then reputed
to be about hundred years old In 1889 this
home was left and Uncle Buck came to this
city. In the latter part of 1910, or early in
1641, old Granny followed
Their life here is well known, and has not
been marked by many incidents. One of these
VIII bear relating Some years ago the wife
of one OF our leading citizens while on a visit
to Kaskaskia, fell in with a little, old, shriv-
elled negro man, who, on learning that she
was from this city, made inquiry if an old ne
gro woman was living here. Some conversa-
ton ensued, and on the lady's return Granny
Wilson was questioned about the matter. She
asked many questions about the "boy," as she
called him, and finally broke out with the
earnest ejaculation that she must go aud see
him-she couldn't wate-she must 90 at once.
In further conversation it came to light that
"the boy was in reality her boy so far as gift
and adoption could make him. He was one of
the negro boys who fell into the hands of the
Indians during her captivity, wounded in the
arm. Because of this wound they determined
to kill him. He fled to her for protection
She tainted his captors with their cruelty
and understanding them so well, by reason OF
her residence with them, succeeding in turning
their purpose, so Tat they finally told her she
might have him if she would take care of him.
This she did, till she lost sight of him on her
escape.
Since coming here the old negress has lived
with Uncle Buck and his family, and has re-
ceived no small degree Of consideration at the
hands OF a number of our citizens. She was
baptized and united with tile African Church
OF this city, some fifteen or sixteen years ago.
She has never known much sickness; and died
at length of old age-going out to the unknown
land as quietly and gently as the day fades
away into night.