I had several playmates, besides my brothers, and among them were the sons of Col.
Thom, and the servant boys who stayed at his house.

Although many years have passed away since, it gives me pleasure, even now, to recollect the happy seasons I enjoyed with the playmates of my childhood.
But this pleasant state of things was not to continue long.

The owners of the mill and farm concluded to sell out the whole concern.

My father and his family then removed to another farm, belonging to our owner, located in Culpepper county, near Stevensburg.

Here I remained nearly two years, working, part of the time, with a carpenter, who was building a summer residence for my master; and the rest of the time, assisting my father to cultivate as much ground as he and his family could tend.