A house servant's taste for freedom results in former masters doing housework in Bolivar
Nothing from Lettie [a house slave] yet. Yesterday morning Sister Mary sent her to Mrs. Grey's, and upon finding at the expiration of three of four hours, she failed to return, sent for her, but she had left there some time before, I suppose for Yankeedom. Joy go with her. Sister and myself cleaned up our rooms this morning alone and before the negroes [sic] had risen. (So much for Southern cruelty). She made the fire. I made up my bed and did various other things as cheerfully as any one. Had the rooms cleaned, breakfast over and baby washed and dressed before nine. When Lettie was here the rooms were generally done about eleven. Ha! Ha! Ha! I'm very glad she's gone. The rest [of the slaves] will follow her example. The nuisances! Two women, one man and four children, all save one able to work, can't get ready for business until ten or eleven o'clock in the morning. Isn't it perfectly ridiculous! O Yankees, Yankees, what mistakes you have made in your attempt at sympathy and kindness....
Diary of Sally Wendel Fentress
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