War Comes to Willy Freeman!

13&14

Mr. Goodrich was figuring out everything that happen and getting ready for court. Then he told me it would help him if I went to court with him to say my side of the story. I didn't want to because Mr. Ivers would be there and try to hurt me. But I went to court for Uncle Jack. I got there and it was so big in the court room. There were big windows and doors. We walked into the room and Mr. Ivers was sitting there. He said, “Oh it’s you again” in this rude voice. I saw Uncle Jack sitting all chained up. I was sitting there while they were debating about it. Then Mr. Goodrich showed the judge the war papers about Uncle Jack being free. He told the judge that Mr. Ivers was trying to keep him in slavery. Then he told the judge I was a free nigger. The judge thought about it for a while and then looked at at Mr.Ivers and said that he had just lost a case. I looked at Uncle Jack and he had the biggest smile on his face.

So after the war and all i went through, I was free. I knew that sense I was a woman that I wasn't going to be all the way free. But I wouldn't have to work for anyone. I was going to go back to Mr.Fraunces and try to learn from him. I wanted to own my one tavern when I was older, but it was going to take a lot of work and time. Uncle Jack was free now but  he went and worked at a fishing business so he could buy Aunt Betsy and Cousin Dan freedom. It was going to take a while but I knew he was going to do it. The war brought me my Pa and Ma death and an adventure. It made me stronger and the responsibility of being  on my own.

War Comes to Willy Freeman!

11&12

British ships leaving

Winter came and Horace was still getting use to me being a girl. In February the British finally claimed that the war was over and they were sailing back . So I went down to the prison ships to see if Ma was getting off one of them. People were saying they saw a woman on one of the ships, so I went and looked. I stayed there all night waiting for her. She wasn't there, I started crying. I went back to the tavern, Horace saw that I was sad so he lift me alone. We ate some supper and then I saw Mr. Goodrich come up to the door. He said he saw Ma; she is down at Mr. Ivers place and is sick. He said it was serious.

I just stood there when he told me that. I told Mr.Fraunces I had to go there and save her, but Mr. Ivers will see me and try to put me into slavery . But I had to go help my Ma. But how would I get there, how would I get across the river. I saw some boats at the dock. I asked someone if they would take me across the river. I paid the guy that gave me a ride across the river a Spanish dollar and then I walked the rest of the way. I got there and sneaked to the kitchen. Aunt Besty gave me the biggest hug. Then she told me she was in the cellar. She was not pretty like I remembered, I had to go get a doctor. Aunt Betsy said that Mr. Ivers won’t allow it,but  I kept trying to get a doctor but they kept saying I couldn't.  So I just left and got a doctor, i didn't care i had to try to save her. I got to the doctor’s office; I had to wait awhile because he was busy. Finally he can out, I begged him to get me some medicine.  The doctor went and got me some medicine. I ran back to the tavern and gave it to her. The doctor said to mix it with rum. So I did and then brought to down to her. She kept spiting it out. I went  back upstairs to get some more rum and medicine . I heard her say my name and i walked over to her.I bent down to touch her,see looked at me and then died. Aunt Besty and I went a buried her before Mr. Ivers got back. We went back inside after we were done then Mr. Ivers saw me, he was mad because I got a doctor and came back to his house after i ran off. He  got out his whip and started wiping me. Then Uncle Jack got mad and pushed  him up against the wall and hurt him. Then Uncle Jack knew he was going to be in trouble so he ran out into the woods and Mr. Ivers followed him with a gun and started shouting at him. Then next thing I knew, they caught Uncle Jack. I felt so bad for him. Then I remembered that Mr. Goodrich said if I needed help for anything to ask him. So I ran to his place and told him the story and he said he would help.