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Editor’s Note: The hand- preserved from the death of written diaries of Daniel the former slave until the Russell, grandfather of present time. The following James Russell of Sperry- excerpts are printed with ville, were handed down and permission of James Russell.
Little Dan’s Family
Struggles to Survive
I, Daniel Russell, was born in the County of Rappahannock and State of Virginia. My Father was a slave and served until the year A.D. 1865 in bondage. One thing I am glad to say. He labored in patience and pleasure without a murmur.
My Mother was born free, but served until eighteen as a bond girl. Her task was not to say dreadful but yet she had to undergo many sore trials. 4fter my Father and Mother were married it was not long before they had five small children to toil for. One girl and four bright-eyed boys. I, being the youngest of the five, was indulged with more leisure hours than the rest.
At an early age, I began to apply my spare moments to the study of books. My parents had to work very hard to substain their little children. As my father was a slave, he was dispossessed of the time He should have had after his master’s work were completed during the day. He would return to the bossom of his Family after the setting of the bright sun. He was a kind of cabinot maker - Chair-making was his favorite occupation from dark until 10 or 12 o’clock in night was consumed at soilsome work to support his wife and children.
So he labored until he was deliberated by that great and powerful hand that hold and preserves the universe.
He did not groan nor complain during the dark days of slavery but waited patiently until he was free by the powerful hand of the Lord.
My Mother were no less dutiful to her task. She often labored in sorrow and tears. As soon as the little boys were old enough she began to learn them to work and teach them to be upright and honest. She taught them to know the good results: that pure honest characters and industrious habits would produce in the presence of our neighbors and Friends.
(Little Dan) as I was called was a great pet with father, mother and the other children. I had plenty of time to play, but I did not use it all at play. At the age of six summers I began to have a strong desire to learn my book. Mother saw how anxious I was to learn, bought a small Primer for me: When I saw it I capered about for joy.
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