The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-30
AUNT JENNIE'S lO6 YEARS
FREED IN 1904. BUT STILL WITH
HER MASTERS FAMILY.


Her Old Ags-der Mysterious Re-
4icence-Rumors That She is Roo
dooed.
From the Nelg York Sun.
Jennie Alder has lived on the Cutler place
at Morristown, n. J. for LOG years. Ex-
Congressman A. w. Cutler has traced her
go far back beyond ell question. There are
some things which make him think she is
still older. 1t is possible. even probable.
that she is 10 years old. But in view Of
the doubt be gives her age as 106 and
makes the statement confidently.
The members Of the family call her Jen.
ME or Aunt Jennie. So do the townsfolk.
Her last name is matter Of tradition, She
sometimes hesitates herself when asked
what it is, so unfamiliar is she with 1t. She
Is colored and a servant. Everybody in
Morristown knows all about her although
few have seen her, for though she is strong
and active aud accustomed to walk out of
doors in all sorts Of weather, she has not
been out of the front gate in thirty years.
Old Jennie was born a slave in the DAYS
when they had slaves in New Jersey.
Tradition has it that she was born In a
negro hut adjoining the house where she
now lives The place was then known as
the Condit place. 1t was large, fertile
farm, and on it stood the family mansion
of Silas Condit, great man in the days of
the revolution, when he represented Now
Jersey in the continental congress. 1t was
a very respectable thing then to own slaves
and Sas Condit had plenty OF them.
Tradition says that Jennie Alder was
likely young negress, black and Jolly, and a
favorite in her masters family, SiIas Con-
Iatr ma rrind Col
of the New Jersey state militia, and in
course Of time, inherited her fathers mans
sion and acres. The estate soon became
known as the Cutler place, as tits today.
Col. Joseph Cutler was the father of ex-
Congressman A. w. Cutler. He died many
years ago.
In 1904 New Jersey abolished slavery by
a gradual emanciDatlon which extended
over two years. Thus Jennie became free.
but, like most slaves of northern slave
owners, she did not avail herself of her
liberty. She had no "folks" except the
Cutters and no home except the Cutler
place. Her former master showed no dis
position to cast her of. So she stayed there
In voluntary service, together with most of
the tau lily slaves, and she nursed the chill
dren OF her young master and mistress. She
was buxom young woman of l6 years
or more when she nursed little MISS
Cutler, the ex-congressman's older
sister, Little Miss Cutler became
Mrs. James B. Hyndshaw. and
would be more than 90 years old to-day
if she had lived. Sic died long ago, hut
6he young colored woman who nursed her
when baby lie still strong and active. and
smokes her daily pie with as much regu-
larlty and pleasure as ever. Jennie nursed
the ex-congressman, too. She did not nurse
the present generation. She was getting
old aad was in other occupations when the
were children. Even then, aud that was
long ago, she was the last OF the Cutler
slaves and among the very few of the New
Jersey slaves still alive.
For many years Jenn has bean moody
and SILENT seldom speaking except when
spoken to. 1t must not be supposed that she
Is norose or that her temper or disposition
Is not agreeable. She is merely very Quiet
and self-contained. Size enters into the
family joys and sorrows heartily, but after
fashion Of her own. Mrs. Cutler Is the
only one OF the family now living who pos.
seSses the art OF drawing her out" Even
to Mrs. Cutler she seldom speaks of old
times. This is no recently developed habit
on Jennies part. Ii has grown with age.
OF course, but as far back as the present
members OF the family can remember ,Jen-
ME has been noticeably reticent. There is a
story about this which has come down by
tradition through generations Of negroes.
from Tue time when Jennie was young
woman. When Jennie was young and
comely-all the traditions make her oomely
when girl-she was very CAV
and happy, and had hearty laugh
and no end OF nonsense at her
tongues end. She was great favorite in
her masters family, and she had many ad-
mlrers among the young negroes. There
could De no gathering among the young
coiored people without Jennie. and of coures
ilEDTld
girls OF the neighborhood, One evening
Jennie went to picnic. Before the festivi-
1leS were over she was missed. There was
great search for her, but she was not found
1nen IL was thought that she had run away.
put the next morning she returned to her
nome. they asked her where she had been.
Out sne would not tell. She shook her head
..n n9S and mournfully. She never
toiu what had happened to her that night
auu II was never learned. But that night
tne sunshine went out of Jennie's life. From
SuaV Time her lips were closed to chat and
laughter She avoided the society of her
gay friends, She lived much by herself.
nue ulu not encourage the attentions Of
JoTns men and she never married
Nv VOW, what was the matter with Jennie?
me colored people shake their heads when
you ask the question. They reply in low
vViceS mat she was ''hoodooed," If YOU ask
t "ua1 tnat means they only shake their
neaus again mysteriunslY. 1t is plainly a
very awful thing to be hoodooed. 1t ia also
platn from their talk that devils have a hand
III the operation.
now, at the age of 106, Jennie is a very
iiu.erestlng old woman. She il not erect
H w.. sLe 9ods herself we'll and walks slowly.
TlI Irnly, and despises the aid of a cane
a,el lace Is much wrinkled, and her hair is
sro4 her sight and hearing are fairly
sT4u Shs pretends to read.
~ 'uousa whether she knows how
., uoS IS secret which she has iealouslv
S SraeIeu from the knowledge of the present
T -1o,,ioegS OF the family. She has not been
VII vdI.Fea TO work for many years. Still she
Mia nG.G as DAILY She brings in wood from the
p kitot IN the back yard, and the summer
sha s,1 Is her special charge This kitchen
dav '"9eES and dusts and arranges every
Ions . "nether used or not, with most scrupl-
aits d PalnS, When her duties are ended she
vipb uo o oy the fire for hours at a time
urs SI DOCK In her hand. She loves pict-
do Jennie takes her walk outdoors every
eigno ~ matter what the weather is. She
her Years red bandana wound around
fasbi ueau after the time. honored negro
nraao ou On the coolest or wettess day she
sbo,rI Ior her walk merely by wrapping
An 9I wv around her shoulders. She despises
not uihlorella as she despises a cane. She has
4 ana b Seeu OH the premises for thirty wears
/ rn,1t uos never travelled on a railroad She