Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-06-27


Girl, and she answered their purpose. A
4 slave trader was there and was about to
take her off. Had talked on the matter
with hi. wife who preferred TO keep her.
Did not then ever intend TO own a slave,
but under these circumstances he had bought
the girl, with the intention of giving her
her freedom. Intended then to leave Flori-
ia for New England, and bring her with
him. i suppose / did SO more because |
could pay for her in Florida money. The
trade was made. brought her to Hilton
Head. Felt discouraged; thought OF leav-
ing her there. Had no money that was
current at the north. Child felt bad and
made so much ado, that we brought her on.
Thought il a good deed. Had no thought
the citizens of the north would find fault
with my being her guardian. Selectmen
called on me, asked me i'll extended to hold
her as a chattel. Told them no. Told them
| intended to take her to Burlington TO
school where there were other colored chill
dren. Commenced to teach her as soon as
she came into my custody. Signed some
free papers. Had the impression that the
Selectmen were satisfied. Mr.. Pike called
on me, and said he had heen appointed her
guardian. Told him thought it was hasty
and that would see Judge Closson myself
On cross-examination by Mr.. Pike, he
stated that he began to teach the child after
he came to Vermont.
Mr.. Pike then made this statement, in
substance, that this girl had been brought
here by a STAKEHOLDER, that when she ar
rived she received treatment similar to that
received by the slaves in the south, that she
was required to sit upon the floor instead OF
chair as people ordinarily did,-did nor
sit at the table, and slept upon the floor
While at Felchvile at DIR. Osborne's, a
chair was offered her to sit in but she was
required to sit behind her mistress upon the |
floor, and in riding from Felchyille 10 South |
Reading had been packed under the seat in
the back part of TIE carriage, though there
was ample room for her to have a comfort
able seat all of which was required by her
mistress. Her general demeanor was that of
a slave and Mr.. Robinson claimed this girl
because be had bought and paid for her.
Mr.. RS demeanor in South Reading on this
affair, had heen defiant. On one evening
there had been music of fife and drum. 1t
was entirely an innocent affair, but it had
been interpreted by Mr.. r. and the family
as signal for mob, and Mr.. Robinson said
ne had been threatened with mobs for the
asst two years, was not afraid to meet them.
Luther Kendall stated that he thought
he statement made by Mr.. Robinson was
Had heard Mr.. r. say he was
willing to sign Tree papers, no matter how
strong.
Judge Closson interposed that they should
confne themselves to the matter under
consideration, as to how Mr.. r. had treated |
the girl, and as to his fitness to be her guar
dian.
Mrs. Lewis Robinson, (mother of Mr..
r. was then called. She said there was
nothing peculier in the child she bad been
treated as any other child was not accus-
toned TO our ways; was docile and appear
! ed much attached to her son and bis family
and they were attached to her; had heard
of the rumors and stories that she was badly
treated. They were not true; had been
treated kindly. The first two weeks she
slept on little bed made on the floor
When she frs! came there was inclined to
sit on the floor. Never heard Calvin say
she was his property; had heard him say
she was not his property more than any
other child in the place. He had said in
the beginning tina! he should send her to
school. The child had been taught every
day. The child had been abused by the
boys and they thought it best TO send her
to school where other eolored children went,
as in such place she would not be likely
to be subject to insults.
On cross examination, Mrs. r. said the
child slept en- the floor two weeks. Mrs.
II. here described that quilt was spread
down on the floor on which she slept, that
afterwards she procured something thicker. ]
Mr.. Pike wanted to know who the boys
were that abused the child. Mrs. r. re-
piled, Charles Wilmington, Geo. WEIGH
and Willie Bryant They called her a
''nigger and pulled her hair ana she was
sensitive and keenly felt such insults.
Mrs. Clark who lives in the same house
with her parents, endorsed the statement OF
her mother. Mr.. Lewis Robinson, also en-
dorsed the same statement. and said the
child had been treated the same as any other
children.
Mr.. Pike said he had conversed with the
child. He asked her which she preferred
f slavery or freedom. She said she pr ferrec
slavery, and had no doubt been taught thai
: slavery was better than freedom. He asked
! her if she had been whipped. She hat
sometimes. The last time was for tipping
Ovar :, losfia of Il,oi..s. L..