locks.
There is on file at the University of Virginia a
scientific study comparing slave labor against free Irish
labor in the construction phase of the railroad in Southwest
Virginia. None
of these operations could have used 2,000 slaves at one site
at one time. So
Saltville was unique in this regard.
One cannot use information about the treatment of
household slaves with that of the industrial slave.
But two items concerning personal slaves from the
owners of the Salt Works is all we have, so we will present
them.
Madam
Russell had a dramatic conversion experience to
Christianity, and from that point in her life she was
committed to the entry of her slaves into a free life.
However, like Thomas Jefferson, she was acutely aware
that her slaves needed to be prepared for freedom.
Jefferson’s answer to the problem had been to run a
welfare state for his slaves at Monticello.
Russell took a more proactive position.
She methodically prepared her slaves for freedom over
a seven year period.
Below is her deed of emancipation:
|
“WHEREAS by the wrong doing of
men it hath been the
unfortunate lot of the
following negroes
to be
slaves
for
life, to-wit
Vina, Adam, Nancy
Sen,
Nancy,
Kitty,
and
Selah.
And whereas believing
the
same
have
come
into
my
possession by
the direction of Providence and conceiving from the
clearest conviction of my conscience, aided by the
power of a good and just God,
that
it is
both
sinful
and
unjust,
I do,
therefore, by these presents under
the influence
of a duty I
not only owe to my conscience, but the just god who
made us all, make free the
said negroes, hoping while they are free of man
they will faith-fully serve their Maker through the
merits of Christ.
Given under my hand and seal this 21st
day of July 1795
Elizabeth Russell (L.S.)"
|
General William Campbell had a personal body servant
named John Broady.
Broady accompanied Campbell on the field of battle,
and was present at King’s Mountain.
Broady at a distance even looked like Campbell, a
circumstance that caused Campbell to have been accused of
lethargy at the battle, an accusation that followed him for
the rest of his life.
While Campbell was running from pillar to post
rallying his troops, Broady did not fight, but just
observed.
However, on another occasion Broady helped Campbell
run down and hang a Tory.
Campbell requested that Broady be freed after his death.
Gen. Francis Preston inherited Broady through his
wife, Sara Buchanan Campbell Preston.
Preston gave Broady not only his freedom, but also a
large tract of rich bottom land
...
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