Day 20: Alice August 17, 1861

Alice is one our slaves, but shes like a second mother to me she helps me with everything! Cleaning, cooking, etc and I love her dearly. Alice is a very wise women and has seen so many things in her life and she always has said that a day with me, is like she is a free women. She said she dont see me as a thing she has to do, she does it cuz she loves me and Momma and Poppa love her too. She aint no slave to me, she is part of this family. Poppa is a night owner to our "slaves" and really I know everyone and they are just an extended family to me. Momma says I shouldnt always talk to them because they need to do their work, but they inspire me so much. Poppa aint like those other land owners who own slaves and beat them. Once they do their work, they are free to do whatever they want.

Alice's story starts somethin off like this, she just turned 25 when men our color came and captured her. She didnt know where they were taking her, but she hoped to a good place, although she said those boats they loaded her on where not very clean. There were many people her color on that boat, they all looked depressed and not only sad and depressed but all chained up. She wasnt though for some reason, I guess they figured she wouldnt run away. Poppa was looking for a house maid and for someone to watch over me and Owen cuz we were only 6 and 10. Poppa went to where they sold slaves, and he saw Alice and bought her for 1500 pieces of silver. I think its the best expense Poppa has ever bought, I love Alice and I hope they dont take her. Alice thinks this war is stupid, and she said if this war ends where the south is gonna have to give up them slaves, she's gonna stay. I hope thats the truth.

~Beth