I have heard reports to the effect that he was a white man who lived on one of the near-by plantations.

Whoever he was, I never heard of his taking the least interest in me or providing in any way for my rearing.

But I do not find especial fault with him.

He was simply another unfortunate victim of the institution which the Nation unhappily had engrafted upon it at that time.
The cabin was not only our living-place, but was also used as the kitchen for the plantation.

My mother was the plantation cook.