FreeJoe Enterprises

Chapter 1

The orange spectrum of the sun began to rise above the eastern hills, hills that seemed to be submerged in a blue haze on this mid-summer morning. The quietness of the morning was interrupted by an occasional rooster's crow. Mother nature's alarm clock always brought with it a hint of light to break through the darkness and create a stir on the Harris plantation.

Old Hanna, the family cook and housekeeper, made her way up from the tin shanties, called Slave's Row. John Harris had awakened as always, early and at sunrise. John's parents were one of several Huguenot families who fled from religious persecution in France and settled in Manikintown. His parents were dead now and he had not taken a wife.

"Good mornin', Massa Harris", said Hanna in a voice that cracked every time she spoke a word. Hanna's greeting traveled through the silent house and the acknowledgement returned, slowly and faintly", morning Hanna".

Hanna had performed this task every morning, every week and very month for years. Once a beautiful dark woman with flowing dark hair and a smile that shone like a pot of gold, the span of time had taken its toll on Hanna. She moved with a limp, hobbling with the aid of a cane. Her hair was now as white as snow, with a wrinkled face which illuminated when she smiled. Only a few teeth were left to frame that smile.

"Hanna, did you see George on your way here?" inquired John. " Yessa, believes I did. He was in the barn", replied Hanna. "Fine, I've got a long trip ahead of me and I want to get an early start. By the way, don't forget to tell Mary to get a room ready on the row, cause it might be late when I get back from Louisa County", said John. "Massa Harris, I's sho tell her."

John Harris finished his breakfast of scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, buttery grits, sauage and biscuits and went out on the front porch as George approached with the wagon.

"Good mornin,' Massa Harris, " said George, grinning from ear to ear. "Morning George, " replied John who stood about five feet nine, dressed in mended trousers with a white shirt that overlapped. "We's ready Massa," said George grinning. "Have you got my saddle, George?" inquired John sternly. " Yessa, Massa Harris. I's lays it 'tween the blankets", said George smiling. George was in his middle 40s and had been working on the plantation since birth. John mounted the wagon with George and George gave the reins a little pop as the wagon began to move forward en route to Louisa County.

It was pass noon when John and George arrived at the home of Minor Martin, a plantation not far from the town of Louisa. John dismounted the wagon, stretched his legs, yawned and started up the steps as Minor opened the door.

"John! I'm sure glad you could make it. How are you?" inquired Minor loudly, with a grin that forced a trickle of tobacco juice to drip from the corner of his mouth. "I'm fine and the trip was okay. I'm hoping my trip back to Goochland goes as well. How are you Minor?" inquired John, extending his hand. "Everything is going as well as could be expected I guess," replied Minor, with a slight sadness in his voice as he returned the handshake.

Minor Martin had fallen on hard times. He was in debt and had been selling land and slaves in order to recover.

"Minor, are things gettings any better for you ?" John asked. "John, they really are much better, and I was hoping that you wouldn't change your mind about buying a couple of my slaves and that horse I was tellin' you about. I really don't want to sell any of my niggas, but I have no choice". " I understand Minor. I know good slaves are hard to come by at a reasonable price nowadays. I'm just surprised that none of them has run away. Usually when you start selling, that's when they start running," John observed. "They know, John, that I'm trying to find them a good master. Now if you will excuse me for a little bit, I'll get them for you", said Minor.

Minor left the house and headed in the direction of slave's row. Once he arrived at slave's row, he called for Comfort and her son James, who was about twelve years old. Minor walked the two slaves over to the barn to get the bay horse. Minor brought Comfort, James and the bay horse back to the big house where George was waiting by the wagon. Comfort, James and the bay horse stood by the wagon as Minor went into the house to get John. As Minor entered the house he said,"John, come on out. They are here."

John came out and stared down at the two slaves he had come to purchase. "Go on down. I can have them strip for you," said Minor gleefully. "No. That won't be necessary Minor. You have always been honest with me. I'll take them as they are."

George saddled the bay horse and climbed back into the wagon. He invited Comfort and James to join him in the wagon. Meanwhile, John had pulled Minor aside for a private chat.

"You never told me about the girl", said John with a surprised look on his face. "What's wrong?" inquired Minor with a frown. "Nothing, nothing is wrong. I just didn't know about the gal," John replied harshly. "You told me you needed someone for the house cause Hanna was getting old and had been sickly lately. Comfort will do you well", Minor smiled.

Comfort was a beautiful woman in her early thirities. She stood about five feet two inches in height, with long flowing black hair that surround a face of ebony with high cheekbones.

John and Minor began to ride toward the Louisa Courthouse, followed by George and his new wagon companions, Comfort and James. As John and Minor entered the courthouse, they were met by William Miller, the County Clerk.

"Howdy, John, good to see you again", said Miller, with his hand extended. "It's good to see you," John replied, shaking the clerk's hand. "Minor, I've got the papers ready", Miller said loudly. "William is the best clerk in all of Virginia," Minor observed with a smile. John and Minor followed the clerk over to the desk and he began to read the papers he had prepared transferring title of property from Minor Martin to John Harris. This is how it read:

This deed entered into this twenty second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninty five between Minor Martin of the county of Louisa of the one part, and John Harris of the other part of Goochland, for and in consideration of sixty eight pounds and one penny all witnesseth that the said Minor Martin hath bargained and sold unto the said John Harris the following property to wit, Comfort and her son James and one bay horse. To have and to hold the said two negroes with their future increase unto the said John Harris, his heirs and offsprings forever free and clear from all manner of claim of the said Minor Martin, his heirs and every other person or persons whatsoever. The two negroes are the two the said Martin purchased from the estate of his deceased father and the horse; the said horse he purchased from John L. Harris & Co. and it's agreed that the said Martin shall not remove the said negroes and horse out of the county of Louisa only into the county of Goochland. In witnesseth whereof the said Minor Martin hath hereto set his hand and seal the date aforesaid. Minor Martin (seal)

John Harris and Minor Martin shook hands. Their business was complete. John and Minor approached the wagon.

"This is your new master. His name is John Harris," said Minor with a smile. Comfort and James nodded in the direction of John Harris and said goodbye to Minor Martin.

John was struck by the beauty of this woman. The wagon moved forward toward Goochland County. John looked back several times with what seemed to be a smile, a smile that wouldn't go away. John slowed his horse to a walk so that George could catch up, or was it so he could take another look at the beautiful slave woman he had purchased?