The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-11-18
MASTER AND SLAVE
AN INTELLIGENT CoLORED MAN
TALKS ABOUT THEM.

He Relates Many Touching Incidents
of His Family and Their Owners
in Slavery Days.
We publish below an interesting
letter of the days of slavery in the
South, written by an Intelligent,
well-to-do colored man of this city,
who now holds responsible posi-
ton in the Orangeburg postofilce,
where he has been for years. He Is
polite, courteous official, and dis
charges his duty to the satisfatcoin
of all the patrons of the office. The
gentlemen he refers to in his letter
were among the very best people in
this section of the State. All of
them were personally known to us,
and from our knowledge Of them,
we unhesitatingly vouch for what the
writer says about them. Here Is
the letter, which we hope could be
read by all of the people at the
North who have been taught to oe-
lieve that the slaves of the South
were beaten morning, noon and
evening:
Editor Times and Democrat:
Christian education among the
slaves in the days of slavery was
encouraged and taught by many
slave owners in the South. This,
however, was only done by those
who themselves believed in Chris
tianity morality and education, ana
as a rule, they were among the roy
al families of the South, and here
l may name few whom knew and
under whose wholesome influence L
was reared.
The late Mr.. Jas. M. Moss and his
children, to whom my father and
mother belonged.
The late Capt. William c. Moss,
brother of Mr.. James M. Moss, and
father of our beloved and esteemed
Capt. B. H. Moss.
The late Capt. John R. Milhous,
grandfather of the Hon. T. M. Ray
sor.
The late Col. Paul s. Fielder, who
was my Sunday school teacher at
old Rocky Grove Methodist Church.
during the war between, the North
and South.
The late DR.. A. 8. Salley, of this
city, who in the days of slavery, so
kindly and tenderly administered to
the colored people.
The late DR.. Cleckley, whose serv-
ices among the slaves, will long be
remembered.
Col. Jake Stroman, Capt. Donald
Rowe and many others I could men
ton.
Now, wish to mention some Of
the blessed results emanating from
Christian education and religious
training in the days of slavery by
some of the great and noble hearted
gentlemen whose names 1 mentioned
above.
MY father, Johh Moss, as he was
called in those days, belonged 10 the
late James M. Moss, of Willow town
ship, in Orangeburg county. HE
was the overseer, and my mother
Frances, who is still living, and is
about eighty-five years old, was one
of the house servants, and enjoyed
the affection and confidence of those
TO whom she belonged, as did also
my father.
Our owner was high-toned, chris
tian gentleman, cultured and rehneo.
His dear wife and children taught
nv father and mother how to read
the Bible, and they il turn taught
me how to read. My father after
the close of the war, remained a
member of old Rocky Swamp Meth
odist Church for several years, and
on the 18th day of March, 1873,
died triumphantly happy, leaving to
his widow and children a blessed
legacy coming to him from his own
ers, whom he loved and respected
most dearly.
From this same religious train
ing we have two ministers or the
GOSPEL, Rev. T. M. Thomas, OF Ches-
ter, Pa, and Rev. J. B. Thomas, oil
Camden, S. c. During the recent
illness and death Of Rev. b. u.
Moss, of Norway in this county, my
brother, Rev. ]. B. Thomas, visited
him, and this indeed was most
touching scene. Forty years ago Rev.
p. D Moss had taught my brother
how to read the blessed Bible, and
now in his dying moments, happy
and ready, only awaiting the sum-
mons from on high, surrounded by
his dear wife and children, the BIZ
Bile is brought forth, and my brother
reads and prayes with his former
young master.
Later on Rev. B. D. Moss was TAX
en- to the hospital at Columbia. There
my brother followed him, and with
tears of love and sympathy stealing
down his cheeks, babe his former
young master and friend goodbye,
with an honest, sincere promise to
try to meet him in the land that Is