Morning journal and courier., 1882-08-26
Ben TItlIs Autobiography. Hound Amo q his Papers.

I was born in Jasper county, Ga., Sep | tember H. 1923. I was the seventh of nine children. and the fifth of six brothers. My father was small farmer, owning 8 few slaves only. All his sons, therefore did all farm work, and all his daughters did all household work My mother cut and made l the clothes that we wore, and most of them were spun and woven on the plantation. I worked on the farm from the time I was eight years old, and black and white came and went alike in all work. My father was man of common education but was exten- l sively read, and of great influence in his ncighborhood When I was 10 years old Gin 1S33) my father moved to the county of Troup, 0 new county, and his lands were all in the woods, and helped to clear them. I walked the entire distance from the old to the new home. over 100 mil s, helping to drive the cattle.
 My father would always have school house, church and temperance society near his house. He was always trustee of the school, class leader and steward in the church, and president of the temperance so- ciety. Some of my earliest and sweetest rec elections are connected with these institu- tions and my fathers zeal in them. The black people attended church with the whites, and all Of us, black and white were epcour- aged to become members at very early ages. The rule for the children was to work on tho farm until the crop was made, and then go to school until 1t was gathered. After the crop gathered, go to school again until plant ing time for another crop. This was my life until 1 was 1G years old. I was then contin- ued at school all the time with view to a collegiate education. My father was not able send all his children to college; only one besides yself desired college course, and 1 alone graduated. After l was pronounced prepared to enter college my father decided he was not able to send me. A family con- sultation held. My mother insisted on my going. She had always had what was called her "patch," which was near the house, and was cultivated by her house hands when not needed at house work. This patch had always been my mothers pin- money, amounting to from $50 to $lO0. My mother said she would contribute this to my college expenses, and would make my clothes at home besides.
 An old aunt of my mother who lived in small house in my fathers yard and had some means (small) and no chil iren, agreed to contribute as much more. My father agreed to add the balance, and promised that all my college expenses of any kind should not exceed $500 per annum. I prom ised my mother I would take the first honor in my class I redeemed this promise. The proudest day of my life was when I wrote to my parents that had taken the first honor in my class and all of the honors of the liter ary society of which I was a member.
 The cook, Mariah, came by my mother, and was near her age. She also raised nine children-iust the number my mother raised One of the cooks children from birth was as- signed to one of my mothers children From our childhood we played together, worked together, and would fight for each other against all the world Stronger ties than | these were never formed. It an alliance offensive and defensive. 1 married in 1S45. My wife had seven slaves, large and small, left her by her father, who died when she was an infant. We thus began life with | eight slaves. When my father and mother died the slaves selected their owner among the children, and I had to take two more. who would go with no other child, and paid 1 for them
 | My wife had one other brother left an or phan with her. He married several years | after we did, and determined not to keep his slaves. They were not willing to go out of the family, and I bought them. now had | If slaves. I was professional man living in town, and did not need them I was not willing to hire them out. The result was 1 bought some land near the town and moved on 1t with the slaves and told them to sup port themselves under my protection The slaves increased and married wives and hus- | bands and raised children, and to keep them
 together 1 bought them all | also bought | several others who had to be sold, and who
 selected me as their owner. In few years
 my small place was insufficient for them, and
 rather than part with them l bought q larger
 plantation in the country and placed them
 on it, and removed with my family
 back to town. 1 was thus 8 saveholder from
 1915 to 1865, just 20 years. My slaves in-
 creased from to CT, and during all that
 time there were but two deaths among them.
 I realized no profit from them, and all of
 them will testify that cared better for them | than they have been able to care for them
 selves ''since freedom came."
 The Arrears of Rent BtlI.
 From St James Gazette,l