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.