February 20, 2008
Page A3
^'ÎJnrtknib Oìbscn.vr B la c k H lStO fy M o n th
B lack H istory M onth
Remembering Princella Garrett
Healing from
slavery past
by M.
have experienced. We can only imagine what
went through her mind as she was liberated from
the chains of slavery only to find that this nation
was not ready to truly release her from bondage.
For what followed were state laws that limited
her from going to school. What followed were
L inda J aramillo
We know just a little bit about Princella Garrett.
oppressive conditions that kept her from getting
We know, that she was an African woman
a job that paid fair wages. What followed was
enslaved by aplantation owner in North Carolina
a society that would not accept her into neigh­
over a century ago. We know that she was one
borhoods with decent housing,
of 60 persons owned by Mason L. Wiggins. This
What we do know for sure is that she is one
we know only because she is listed in an 1857
among the cloud of witnesses and saints that
deed of sale in which she is called Cinderilla.
worked the soil to produce an agricultural
Princella Garrett’s name does not appear on
economy that sustained this nation. We know
the U.S. Census Rolls of 1850 or 1860 - there
that she must have been a resilient woman
she is known only as a black female, age 60. A
because she could not have survived otherwise.
few years later at the presumed age of 66, she
What we must know is that she was a distin­
Together we make
a difference!
M t Hood C ommunity C ollege
honors our Black History
was sold once again to Francis
Marion Garrett and John Joseph
Garrett. An 1863 deed of sale
proves it.
What we now know is that
she lived on plantation land that
is now Franklinton Center at
Bricks in eastern North Caro­
lina. From all accounts, we can
assume that she worked dawn to
dark in the kitchen to prepare
meals. We can surmise that she
was also expected to work in the
Each year during Black
History Month, we are
reminded o f the thousands
o f distinguished persons
who were and are
significant to the formation
o f our society and culture.
fields when her cooking and
cleaning was done. Based on written records,
guished elder among her clan.
Each year during Black History Month, we
we now know that she lived in one of the slave
cottages in times not so long ago.
We do not know if she was a mother or a
grandmother. We do not know if she was a
are reminded of the thousands of distinguished
persons who were and are significant to the
formation of our society and culture.
sister or an aunt. We do not know if she was
This year, I will remember the name of Ms.
born on this soil of a mother who was forced to
Princella Garrett who was 80 years old before
leave her homeland.
Maybe Ms. Princella
her name finally appeared in the 1870 Census
Garrett was already born when she was brought
Rollsof the country. She will live in my memory
across the great seas from her homeland - we
for a long time to come.
M. Linda Jaramillo is the executive minis­
simply do not know. We know that she lived a
long life filled with change and strife.
We can only imagine what Ms. Garrett must
ter fo r Justice Ministries in the United Church
o f Christ.
o f
S îr g r o F H ,
HONORING OUR HERITAGE
AND RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION
By RICHARD CLAGETT.
O n T u e sd a y . M arch Jfth, 1833 a t 1:00 P. M. th e fo llo w in g
S laves w ill be »old a t P o tter» M a rt, in C h a rlesto n , 8. C.
M iscella n eo u s Lots o f N egroes, m o stly house s e rv a n ts . som .'
f o r fie ld w ork.
C ondition»: * cash , b a la n c e h y bond, b e a rin g in te re s t fr o m d ate
ot an te. P a y a b le in o n e to tw o y e a rn to ba ae en re d b y a m o rtg ag e o f tb e
Negroes, a n d a p p ra ia a d p erw o nal s e c u rity , A u ction eer tr ill p a y f o r
the p a p e rs.
A valuable Negro woman, accustomed to all kinds of house work. Is a good
plain cook, and excellent dairy maid, washes and iron*. She has lour children, one
a girl about 13 years of age, another 7, a boy about 5, and an infant I I months old.
2 of the children will be sold with mother, the others separately, if it best suits tbe
purchaser.
A very valuable Blacksmith, wife and daughters: the Smith is in tbe prime
of life, and a perfect master at his trade. His wife about 27 years old, and his
daughters 12 and 10 years old have been brought up as house servants, and as sucb
are very valuable. Also for sale 2 likely young negro wenches, one of whom is 16
the other 13, both of whom have been taught and accustomed to the duties of house
servants. The 16 year old wench has one eye.
A likely yellow girl about 17 or 18 years old, has been accustomed to all kinds
of house and garden work. She is sold for no fault. Sound as a dollar.
j
House servants: The owner of a family described herein, would sell them
for a good price only, they are offered for no fault whatever, but because they can
be done without, and money is needed. He has been offered SI250. They consist of
a man 30 to 33 years old. who has been raised in a genteel Virginia family as house
servant. Carriage driver etc., in all which he excels. His wife a likely wench of 2$ to
30 raised in like manner, as ebsmber maid, seamstress, nurse etc., their two child*
ren, girls of 12 and 4 or 5. They are bright mulattoes. of mild tractable dispositions,
unassuming manners, snd of genteel appearance and well worthy the notice of a
gentleman of fortune needing such.
Also 14 Negro Wenches ranging from 16 to 25 years of age. all sound and
As we reflect and celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans, we also
recognize there’s work to be done in our own communities and with young people.
We believe our community will be a better place if adults get involved in lifting up
our youth. Through mentorship, we believe our young people will succeed and
pass it on to the next generation.
capable o f doing a good days work in the house or field.
For more information on how you can help make it better together
with the Trail Blazers, visit trailblazers com/makeitbetter
A legal notice advertises the “Public Sale of Negroes' in 1833 in Charleston, S.C.
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