At another time, he would gather the hands around him and fall to cursing and swearing about the neighboring overseers.

They were, he said, cruel to their hands, whipped them unmercifully, and in addition starved them.

As for himself, he was the kindest and best fellow within forty miles; and the hands ought to be thankful that they had such a good man for their overseer.
He would frequently be very familiar with me, and call me his child; he would tell me that our people were going to get Texas, a fine cotton country, and that he meant to go out there and have a plantation of his own, and I should go with him and be his overseer.
The houses in the "_negro quarters_" were constructed of logs, and from twelve to fifteen feet square; they had no glass, but there were holes to let in the light and air.

The furniture consisted of a table, a few stools, and dishes made of wood, and an iron pot, and some other cooking utensils.

The houses were placed about three or four rods apart, with a piece of ground attached to each of them for a garden, where the occupant could raise a few vegetables.