Regarding Mr. Thornhill and His Negroes

By Leslie Knight

Outlines how the whites disobey the laws that liberate the slaves. However,.these whites conduct a brutal form of slavery on the powerless Negroes. The Negroes take care of the whites from birth to death, but the brutality caused the Negroes to rebel and to become just as vicious and as brutal as the whites. The book subtly demonstrates that children are not born with racial prejudices. They learn it. Furthermore, people must take time to listen in order to be informed about other human beings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664126848

Leslie Knight

He gives a unique perspective on the price that some white people during the 1860s, are willing to pay to maintain their way of life, while the Negroes are also willing to sacrifice their lives, so that other Negroes will not have to bear the brutal burden of slavery.

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Copyright © 2020 by Leslie Knight.

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 08/29/2020

Xlibris

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CONTENTS

About the Author

Up from Slavery

Chapter 1     The Law at a Glance

Chapter 2     The Birth

Chapter 3     Reflections

Chapter 4     The Big Ball

Chapter 5     Caring

Chapter 6     A Promised Visit

Chapter 7     The Insurrection and Escape

Chapter 8     The Great Wedding

Chapter 9     Trouble and Deception

Chapter 10   A Last Word and an Old Minister’s Death

Chapter 11   A Friend Visits John

Chapter 12   Date and Wedding

Chapter 13   Teo and Mena Resurfaced

Chapter 14   A New Thornhill

Chapter 15   The Hunt Resumes

Chapter 16   An Addition to the Family

Chapter 17   An Urgent Call to Arms

Chapter 18   The Great Meeting and the Return

Chapter 19   Return of the Militia

Chapter 20   Mr. Brinson Douglas’s Perilous Vjsit

Chapter 21   The Fate of John Thornhill

Chapter 22   Deception, Malice, and Attack

Chapter 23   The Aftermath and Negotiation

Chapter 24   The Trial of John

Chapter 25   Celia’s Visit to the Negro Serttlement

Chapter 26   A Visit From Bella and the Trial of Maryanne

Chapter 27   Saying Goodbye

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mr. Thornhill gives a unique perspective on the price that some white people during the 1860s are willing to pay to maintain their way of life, while the Negroes are also willing to sacrifice their lives so that other Negroes will not have to bear the brutal burden of slavery.

UP FROM SLAVERY

Up from slavery came peer and comrade,

Bringing forth their horrid, muddy feet,

Whose sickle tired witnessed death’s parade,

Upon a people who’s innocent and weak.

Without a voice, so no one dared to speak,

Save he that spoke and looked death in the eye.

For justice always was his plea and cry.

But no one listened ’til that fateful day,

The weak rebelled and seized the strong ones’ place,

And subjected masters to the will of enslaved ones.

Then those who were captors, captives now became,

And tasted all the bitter malice of that age,

’Til realize they did the horrid yoke of slavery,

And vow to end the injustices to fellow men.

CHAPTER 1

THE LAW AT A GLANCE

The end of the Civil War brought much comfort and benefit for many of the slaves in the territory of Virginia. However, when the Thirteenth Amendment to the constitution, which ended slavery, was ratified, some of the slave owners vowed to perpetrate the business of slavery. It was a local and secretive affair to a great extent. There was gross noncompliance with the law. It was no secret that the Thirteenth Amendment was not upheld by many in the territory of Virginia. Some of the slave owners did not want to surrender the custom of owning other people. They did not want to change their way of life. The slaves knew about the amendment, but they had no way of escaping from these slave masters without taking a violent route. In addition, there was no other avenue of leaving peacefully and acquiring a place to live. It must be said, however, there was a small Negro territory or settlement that existed to the north of the locality. Its inhabitants fought for their freedom and resolved to live peacefully. Those were some of the slaves who managed to gain their freedom after the Civil War.

Several of the black people, or the Negroes as they were called, were caught in a web of deception and were denied their right to be free. There was a high and grievous price to be paid. The struggle was long, hard, and bitter. The overseers of the territory were partial to the white slave owners who violated the law in many instances. Although the Civil War was fought partly to make freedom possible for all people, a cycle of brutality and, in general, injustice sustained the ability of those white people to possess slaves. These white people maintained many of the tradition of the South that gloried in the possession of other human beings.

Sometimes it takes fearless confrontation for people to finally experience positive results. The underlings in the society had to chart a pathway that sometimes might appear callous but necessary. In the era of the events, some of the more powerful people knew some of the influential figures in the community. These were their friends, who were prepared to let injustices continue. These governors, merchants, aristocrats, and church organizations were all inclined to disobey the law of emancipation. They kept the knowledge from those who were enslaved and thus created a system of fear, bitterness, and ignorance. Therefore, an atmosphere of wholesale rebellion against slave masters was inevitable, and every side acted in its own interest. The Negroes were no exception because they became judge, jury, and executioner, just like the slave masters and their community.

That was what happened to a huge band of free Negroes. They were promised that their people who were enslaved would be granted their freedom if they would support the fight for liberation during the Civil War. The Negroes answered the call to support the struggle for freedom. The war ended, and freedom was expected, but many of the powerful leaders of the territory of Virginia decided not to play by the rules. The established government did not follow through to ensure that the constitution was upheld by all. Therefore, there were local pockets of resistance from powerful and influential people who thought that they were above the law. Fighting erupted between some of the slave owners and former slave owners. The fighting was often bitter and bloody. It was a relentless battle that caused a rift among friends. Those who chose to continue having slaves were left alone and were considered outlaws. The majority of slave owners embraced liberation of Negroes, while there were a few pockets of resistance to the idea, and these were the ones upon which the spotlight fell horribly.

However, many of the slaves continued to escape from their masters and join the ranks of the free Negroes. That band of heavily armed and battle-hardened slaves was allowed to leave without any more attempts to enslave them. They journeyed a few hours north in the territory. The members joined the Negro settlement, where they could lead independent lives, free from the dictates of slave owners. But many Negroes remained under the yoke of slavery by some of the most brutal slave masters that ever existed in the territory. The government seemed to turn a blind eye to the activities of these powerful individuals. Therefore, a reign of terror and retribution existed.

These powerful city fathers allowed some private citizens who were their friends to commit some of the most heinous crimes and to escape any form of punishment. White masters attended church services. They listened to their ministers but never seemed to take heed. They knew that some of the ministers owned slaves too and tended to ignore the consequences. In some ways, the church ministers were hypocrites as they helped in the inhumane treatment of human beings because they also flouted the laws of the country. The slaves who should have been freed were the victims of merciless cruelty before and after the Civil War.

The members of the church congregations could be heard singing some of the most spiritual of gospel songs that ranged from A Mighty Fortress Is Our God to Nearer My God to Thee. They seemed to be bringing the angels to the earth with their cries of worship. When someone gazed into the place of worship, there was not a black face to even color the congregation. The white ministers’ church buildings were very clearly marked No Colored or Negroes Allowed. But the congregants were very holy and were close to the saints and to God.

The older folks could be heard as they gossiped about the younger members. Ms. Charlotte, a choir director, thought that Millie’s mother should come to church earlier and should cook a little later during the day. McKenzie, the church musician, knew that Maggie wanted to date him, but he was not interested. Mrs. Donald, a minister’s wife, told Jane that she wore that dress three times already, and she noticed that the dress was a little soiled. Mr. Joel saw the time when Mrs. Winkler left to visit an old flame of hers and marked the time she returned to join the Bible study. He let everyone know that Mrs. Winkler’s husband did not realize that his wife was out and about with Noelle’s husband. Francene hated to sit near Mr. Butler during the Sunday worship because he smiled too much at her.

There was a growing dislike for Ida and Jill. Some church members and other people in the community believed that the girls’ parents had put their hands in the collection plate several times on Sundays and pulled out some of the church funds. That could not be proven, but when the girls’ parents put the collection, their hands seemed to venture too far into the plate before their offerings could be released.

The townsfolks talked about the lowly slaves and some of the slave masters’ close relationship with the ones (the slaves) that were the dirtiest of human beings. Mr. and Mrs. Goddard remarked, We do not want these types of subhuman species even near to our dog kennels.

One of the reverends, Minister Finnigan, whipped three of his slaves so severely because they did not complete the harvesting of the tobacco on time. He was a disciplinarian of the highest degree. Such were the members of the church who heard the advice to render your hearts and not your garments.

The history of one family was interesting because its members were not penitent people. With the passage of time, people became more mature and reasonable but not this family. This family remained with a dark inside that can never be changed. A struggle for freedom could become a personal resolve when people refused to change their cruel and insensitive behavior. Henry Thornhill and his family epitomized the kinds of heartless slave owners. They wanted to hold on to the past because it afforded them a comfortable way of life. The chronicle of their lives was rolled out, and the journey of their infamous reign continued the sordid history of lawlessness.

Henry Thornhill’s horse came to a halt on a stretch of dusty road that was built alongside a huge plantation that was surprisingly up for sale. The plantation belonged to Mr. Brinson Douglas, a powerful slave master and property owner in the territory of Virginia. He knew all the influential people in the community. He also had the ability and the financial capital to buy out the law and to intimidate some of the judges and government officials. But he wanted to have direct power in the territory without having to pay anyone. That could come at election time. He wanted to be a candidate under consideration, and the sale of his estate could help him in this quest.

Henry Thornhill, a tall, well-built white gentleman dismounted his horse, tied the horse to a pole, and went in to talk to Mr. Brinson Douglas concerning the sale of the plantation. The bargain hinged on money and a vote for Mr. Douglas as council chief at the next general election, which was about two months away. His election will give him the power to make local laws and institute corporal punishment and fines. Douglas could also receive payments from local slave owners who wanted to buy, sell, and sidestep the law.

I’ve been hearing that this property is up for sale, so here I am with an interest in your property.

Ah yes, I’m thinking strongly about selling my plantation with all its equipment. And when I say all, I mean every bit of it, including my slaves! I have a whole cache of weapons—pistols, rifles, swords, an array of knives, and a number of horses. But you know that it comes with more than money, eh! People also like to have favors granted, and that might be the sticking point. You know how elections are conducted in this territory. I do you a favor, and you do me one in return.

I promise I will vote for you at the next council meeting. I promise, if you sell me.

That’s it, my boy, that’s it! Now we can talk about price.

Henry virtually sealed the bargain and rode back to his home just a few minutes away. He could not wait to dismount and to get into his house. He began shouting to his wife with great excitement.

Maryanne! Maryanne! I’ve good news!

What’s the good news, Henry? I see that you are smiling, but you’re out of breath! Calm down before you tell me the good news. Wipe the sweat from your face.

It’s about Brinson Douglas! He’s decided, at last, to do me a favor and sell me his entire estate.

Oh yeah? Is that so? And at what price he expects to say?

I mean that estate comes with all the slaves, his entire holding. What a luck and a shock! It was not much convincing I had to do to persuade the old Douglas to sell.

You mean Brinson Douglas is really selling his plantation? Well, I have to see this because he’s one who never seems to want to talk business with anyone except it’s on his terms. Don’t take that offer seriously because you might just fire up your hopes just to have them dashed to pieces. I know how shifty he is.

Maryanne, he might be selling this time because of the law that was passed. He thinks that he has seen enough and has had enough. He’s fed up with the government and its new laws. He doesn’t want to be a part of this kind of new order, and since he doesn’t want to abide by any of these new rules, he is going far away from it.

What law?

That nobody should own slaves. He’s not able with that law, and he is saying that he’s too old to take on the problems of slave ownership and the government. He’s putting me on to powerful people that he knows. They’ll help me to do business while I work the plantation. I’ll continue the tradition to own slaves and to become very wealthy.

Huh, so you don’t think that you might get in trouble with the law, knowing that slavery is outlawed in the territory and in other parts of the country? I don’t know of any jurisdiction that will stand for this kind of arrangement that Douglas is telling you about.

Maryanne, leave that to me. I can actually pay some of the lawmakers and some of the people in the government to turn their faces. You know what I mean.

You mean, flout the Thirteenth Amendment?

That’s right Maryanne! We’ll have our own private arrangement.

You think that you can get these influential people to be on your side? I’ll wait to see that day. Just remember, the law is the law, and when Douglas goes, you will have to deal with the problem if it comes to that. You can’t call on him again, so be sure of what you’re doing. Now I’m not against it, but you still haven’t said the settlement agreement as far as the money he wants is concerned.

He’s asking a couple hundred pounds, which I’m willing to give. I see the profit already the way I work things out.

Well, if you feel that way, but remember, the influential people will want a big cut in the money you make.

You see, Maryanne, I don’t have to play by the rules. I can make my own rules while I own slaves. There’ll be no one who will dare to dispute my rights to do what I want. I’ll be like one of those governors—a strong man, ruling my slaves however I think fit. I can punish and, in general, hand down judgment how I think, and there’ll be no one to tell me I am wrong or right. Isn’t that great? Having no one to dispute my claims is good.

And do you really think that the government of the state will turn a blind eye to what you’re doing?

"Mr. Douglas might be one of the council members very soon. He’d have a voice in everything relating to the business of the territory. I’ll vote him in, you know. Money is everything. I’ll be able to pay them off. You’ve got to listen. This will all be a local affair, and our Negro slaves will be under our subjection, so get this straight. I’ve handled this type of business before, so there is nothing new except a bigger estate. And believe me, there is nothing new to it. Just I will be in contact with more influential people—councilmen, church ministers, attorneys, merchants, and some of the aristocrats and the very rich people of the community. No one will dare to question my business of owning slaves. I’ll have my powerful backers. I hope you understand.

It is a fine situation where the Negroes have no vote. They are not considered as human beings. I think that we are blessed in this case because the Negroes will not vote for anyone called by the name of Douglas. He is hated on the plantation, and I think that the slaves will welcome a man like me as their new master.

You mean that you will be lenient with a pack of niggers that can’t even read nor feel empathy? Well, you try being soft with any of the slaves and you will find out how treacherous that can be. If I’m to be a part of this enterprise, I want you to be as stern and as hard as you can possibly be with those who are under your care. You must rule them with an iron fist and drive them to work so that you extract every ounce of production from them.

Yes, that is what I intend to do. I know that I have to be as brutal and unforgiving to those niggers, or I will not gain their respect. I know that I’ve to be the one to strike fear in their hearts, so I have the correct people to help me along in this respect.

Who are you talking about, John? You need a fearless and a strong man.

That is why I’ve Creig Boiton in mind. He is a great lawman who has a militia that is supportive of him. You know that Brinson Douglas, whom I’m sure will be voted in as a council member, will also lend a hand as well. He is selling the plantation, but he will help me through the rough times so that I can get the plantation running smoothly.

You know that slaves can be dangerous when they revolt. You cannot forget how the Negro settlement to the North came into existence. They’re still a thorn in our sides as far as I’m concerned. You must keep this in mind, or you’ll make the mistake of the forefathers of allowing the Negroes to get away and form their own territory. They become a strong force and can be influential to any runaway slave from our plantation. Therefore, there must be ways of maintaining order on the plantation. Slaves must see and understand consequences for trying to escape. It must be so painful that the ones who are contemplating an escape will be discouraged.

I see what you’re thinking, but I will be a strong and unforgiving person as I always am. Remember that I can institute my rules, and there is no one to stop me from being judge, jury, and executioner. We are outside the jurisdiction of the rest of the territory.

The slaves were very uneasy about the future rule of the Thornhills. They saw in them a brutal notion that was worse than that of Mr. Douglas. The slightest opportunity for an escape would be entertained no matter how risky it might seem.

CHAPTER 2

THE BIRTH

Henry and Maryanne purchased the plantation and set about to make it as profitable as it was under Douglas. But the brutal reign of terror had continued under the Thornhills as they sought to emulate what had transpired in earlier times