Ex-slave, Robert Thompson,
Asking for Bail from Former Slaveowner, August 1870

William Preston was married to Margaret Wickliffe, and both of them were heirs to large slaveowner fortunes. Neither of these wealthy Kentuckians could be considered "fire-eaters," however they were quite sure that their slaves were better off under their protection -- and that emancipation encouraged social chaos. After the 13th Amendment was enforced in Kentucky, African-Americans were migrating to find their kin, to find a better life, and just to get away from the drugery of slavery. It became all too much the norm for Black Kentuckians, without jobs and without hope for owning property or keeping what they could get, to be picked up for vagrancy. Once in jail, both men and women would be put once again into forced labor. The letters reproduced below are a frightening glimpse into what happened to one family -- and how bleak the future must have seemed to this man. He offered his labor for life as long as Preston assures his family of security. I'm not sure that this form of peonage isn't slavery all over again.

Louisville Jail
Augst 16th 1870

To Wm Preston
Dear Sir

I now take the opertunty in writing you this few lines to inform you that I am here in Prison and if you will be kind anuf as to com and git me out I will go hom with you and live with you as I haf com here on the porpos to go to you but was Arested and am now in Jail So if you will be kind anuf as to git me out I will pay you back in labor. Mr Preston pleas hebb me out if you can not com yourself please let me no if you indend to git me out of this as I haf no one efs to write to. Mr Preston pleas to answer this.

I remain your obedeant servand
Robert Tomson

I am one of Nancy Tomsons sons

Address in car of Henry Tomas Jailer

 

*****

[in a different hand, note the different form of wording so as to make Thompson seem more abased -- also note the different details offered this time]

Louisville Ky Aug 30th 1870

Mr William Preston

Dear Sir

having a few leisure moments to spare I thought I would write you a few lines for your kind perusal hoping that they may find you well as this my letter leaves me at present. Mr Preston the reason I write to you is this. I am in a little trouble and would like you to assist me a little by going my Bail. I came here and was taken sick and allso my wife and I could not find anything to do and owed for my house Rent and Doctors Bill I was compelled to have something to eat and I was tempted to kill a hog for to get something for my family the hog Belonged to a man by the name of Joseph Spekes the man I worked for I went to him and asked him to loan me some money but he would not do it and I was tempted to do this heman crime and I was arrested and put in jail and was held in two hundred dollars bail to answer in the circuit court and being confined here in the prison without friend or money I thought I would write you a few lines praying you to go my Bail and if you will be as kind as to do I promise you faithfully that I will go and work for you as your servent as long as you want me without one cent of money only give me my board and that is all I want I wish you would please answer this and let meknow if you will do anything for one as I am anxious to have some one to do something for me trusting Mr. Preston that you will do something for me in this my hour of need I will close yours most Obediently

Robert Thompson

care of the jailor of Jefferson County
Louisville Kentucky

Wickliffe-Preston Family Papers, Box 60, University of Kentucky Special Collections and Archives

BACK TO MAIN MENU

Other letters to Preston from ex-slaves:

Posted October 20, 1997
email: Dolph@pop.uky.edu
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/HIS/scraps/jail.html