Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Volume II, Arkansas Narratives, Part 5 · Chapter 14Interviewer: Miss Irene Robertson Person interviewed: Nannie P. Madden, West Memphis, Arkansas Age: 69
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"I am Martha Johnson's sister. I was born at Lake Village, Arkansas. I am 69 years old. I was born on Mr. Ike Wethingtons place. Pa was renting. Mother died in 1876 on this farm. We called it Red Leaf plantation. Father died at Martha Johnson's here in West Memphis when he was 88 years old.
"Mother was not counted a slave. Her master's Southern wife (white wife) disliked her very much but kept her till her death. Mother had three white children by her master. After freedom she married a black man and had four children by him. We are in the last set.
"We was born after slavery and all we know is from hearing our people talk. Father talked all time about slavery. He was a soldier. I couldn't tell you straight. I can give you some books on slavery:
Booker T. Washington's Own Story of His Life and Work, 64 page supplement, by Albon L. Holsey Authentic Edition--in office of Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., 1915, copywrighted by J.L. Nichols Co. The Master Mind of a Child of Slavery--Booker T. Washington, by Frederick E. Drinker, Washington, D.C.
I have read them both. Yes, they are my own books.
"I farmed and cooked all my life."