Description
“Mrs. Sophia Brashear – Who Was Born In Platte County Is A Resident of Camden Point – Her Father Came From Kentucky in 1838 And Homesteaded A Farm – She Has Two Sisters Living – Remembers Many Incidents During Slavery Days” (excerpted from article) - - Father Was Slaveholder -- In 1842 the (Pleasant W.) Ellington family moved to Ridgely, 6 miles east of here, where Mr. Ellington was engaged in the mercantile business for about 20 years. He also owned and operated a farm near Ridgely. That was long before the town of Ridgely was thought of, however. Mr. Ellington was very successful, and besides operating his store carried on farming to quite an extent. He owned a number of slaves and also did his father. In fact, it was the common thing in those days. Soon after the war broke out Mrs. Brashear's grandfather (David Ellington of Kentucky) moved to Texas and took with him many slaves of his own and some which his son owned, in order to enjoy greater freedom. But Mrs. Brashear’s father concluded to remain here. It was not long after the outbreak of the Civil War until Mr. Ellington moved with his family to St. Joseph, remaining there until peace was declared, returning then to the farm. - - Slaves Ran Away - - One morning when the Ellington family arose they discovered that a negro woman and her three children, slaves owned by Mr. Ellington, had disappeared. The woman's husband was owned by some other farmer and he, together with some others assisting, spirited the wife and children away. They took along some clothing, cooking utensils, food and a horse owned by Mrs. Brashear’s cousin and would have taken a fine horse owned by her master had not the negro woman refused to go unless they left her master's home. So the animal was left behind. This old negro mammy related the incident later to her old master's family. She is living in Leavenworth and often visits Mrs. Brashear's sister who also lives In that city. Mrs. Brashear says her father always treated his slaves mighty fine and she remembers having heard some of the old slaves say that their being granted freedom was the worst thing that could happen to their race. She says her people and many others were not heartsick over Lincoln's assassination, because they believed he would wreck their business by taking their slaves away. But she says, "We all know now, and have for many years, that he was a wonderful man - one of the grandest of the nation’s history - and that the cause he represented was right.”Date(s) of Creation
3/13/1918