Thomas Williams (abt. 1830)

Biography

Thomas's son William Williams was interviewed in Canton, Stark County, Ohio. The typescript is dated August 13, 1937. He spoke of his life as an enslaved person in North Carolina, and about his family.

"I was born a slave in Caswell County, North Carolina, April 14, 1857. My mother's name was Sarah Hunt and her master's name was Taz Hunt. I did not know who my father was until after the war. When I was about 11 years old I went to work on a farm for Thomas Williams and he told me he was my father. When I was born he was a slave on the plantation next to Hunt's place and was owned by John Jefferson. Jefferson sold my father after I was born but I do not know his last master's name.

My father and mother were never married. They just had the permission of the two slave owners to live together and I became the property of my father's master, John Jefferson until I was sold. After the war my mother joined my father on his little farm and it was then I first learned he was my father.

Sources

• Son William Williams was interviewed in Caton, Stark County, Ohio by Chas. McCullough as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The results are presented in narrative form, most, allegedly, in the first person, and made available by the Library of Congress. [1] Library of Congress - WPA - Slave Narrative - William Williams - Vol.12, Ohio, page 114-116, image 118-120 of 120.