Though young, I was old enough to place a high appreciation upon my name.

It was decided, however, to call me "Sandford," and this name I was known by, not only upon my master's plantation, but up to the time that I made my escape.

I was sold under the name of Sandford.
But as soon as the subject came to my mind, I resolved on adopting my old name of William, and let Sandford go by the board, for I always hated it.

Not because there was anything peculiar in the name; but because it had been forced upon me.

It is sometimes common at the south, for slaves to take the name of their masters.