James Roberts (slave narrative)
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James Roberts
James Roberts (born 1753) was an American slave.
Roberts was born on the Eastern shore of Maryland
, during a time of slavery. He was enslaved by Francis De Shields, a colonel in Washington's army. Roberts had fought beside De Shields in the war, and once the seven year with Britain ended, Washington became president, and Francis De Shields was now the Vice President of the United States
. Five years later Shields died, and Roberts because of the loss of his master believed he was a free man, but instead of was sold to William Ward
. Roberts was torn away from his family and then sold at an auction in New Orleans to Calvin Smith
.
While he was enslaved by Calvin Smith he experienced traumatic events on the plantation. His cousin was whipped and put in the stocks only to die a week into being on that very homestead. Soon thereafter, General Jackson
traveled to Calvin Smith's to enlist 500 slaves to prepare for the Battle of New Orleans
. Roberts was one of these 500 men. When the army arrived in New Orleans, Jackson saw the fear in his men's eyes. To get their spirits up he said,
After the hearts of these men were broken, the only thing Roberts was allowed to do was go back to work for the master he had learned to despise only to return and observe additional abuse to him and others.
In 1856 Roberts contacted a President Pierce
located in Washington city for an interview about receiving a pension for his merits in the war. Pierce said that Roberts was nothing more than a horse or a sheep and that it would be a disgrace to take a pension that his master was still receiving and give it to Roberts.
James Roberts (born 1753) was an American slave.
Roberts was born on the Eastern shore of Maryland
Eastern Shore of Maryland
The Eastern Shore of Maryland is a territorial part of the U.S. state of Maryland that lies predominately on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay and consists of nine counties. The origin of term Eastern Shore was derived to distinguish a territorial part of the State of Maryland from the Western...
, during a time of slavery. He was enslaved by Francis De Shields, a colonel in Washington's army. Roberts had fought beside De Shields in the war, and once the seven year with Britain ended, Washington became president, and Francis De Shields was now the Vice President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Five years later Shields died, and Roberts because of the loss of his master believed he was a free man, but instead of was sold to William Ward
William Ward
-Athletics:* William Ward , American boxer who fought under the name Kid Norfolk* William Ward , British cricketer, scorer of the first ever double-century...
. Roberts was torn away from his family and then sold at an auction in New Orleans to Calvin Smith
Calvin Smith
Calvin Smith is a former sprint track and field athlete from the United States. He is a former World Record holder in the 100 metre sprint, and was twice World Champion over 200 metres...
.
"It is not for me to foretell the end of oppression in this country, but one thing is certain, virtue,sobriety, temperance,economy, education and religion, will fit you for any emergency whatever, and are the best qualifications for free men. That their attainment may be your constant pursuit and most earnest endeavr, is the prayer of one now ready to depart."
While he was enslaved by Calvin Smith he experienced traumatic events on the plantation. His cousin was whipped and put in the stocks only to die a week into being on that very homestead. Soon thereafter, General Jackson
General Jackson
General Jackson may refer to:* Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, Confederate general in the United States Civil War* Andrew Jackson, seventh president of the United States* Mike Jackson , British general* James S...
traveled to Calvin Smith's to enlist 500 slaves to prepare for the Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans
"The Battle of New Orleans" is the title of a song written by Jimmy Driftwood. The song describes the 1815 Battle of New Orleans from the perspective of an American soldier; the lyrics are evidently intended to be comical. It has been recorded by many artists, but the singer most often associated...
. Roberts was one of these 500 men. When the army arrived in New Orleans, Jackson saw the fear in his men's eyes. To get their spirits up he said,
The triumph of Jackson's battle had distracted Roberts a serious wound to his head as well as a missing forefinger. After the battle was over, the promise that Jackson had made to the enslaved men had evaporated into thin air. They marched to the Kentucky tavern to drink as much as the men pleased.
“don't be discouraged take a second look at them; they are but men like yourselves. Courage will overcome your fears and dread.”
"Never," said he, "suffer negroes to have arms; if you do, they will take the country. Suffer them to have no kind of weapons over ten inches long. Never allow them to have a piece of paper with any writing on it whatever. You must examine your slaves very closely, for the time is coming when the slave will get light; and if ever his mind is enlightened on the subject of freedom, you cannot keep him. One slave bought from the East will ruin a multitude of those raised here. Before a slave of mine should go free, I would put him in a barn and burn him alive. Gentlemen, take me at my word; for if you do not, you will be sorry for it before many years. Never arm another set of colored peopleColoredColored is a term once widely used in the United States to describe black people and Native Americans...
. We have fooled them now, but never trust them again; they will not be fooled again with this example before them. If you do, you will repent of it but once.”
After the hearts of these men were broken, the only thing Roberts was allowed to do was go back to work for the master he had learned to despise only to return and observe additional abuse to him and others.
In 1856 Roberts contacted a President Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
located in Washington city for an interview about receiving a pension for his merits in the war. Pierce said that Roberts was nothing more than a horse or a sheep and that it would be a disgrace to take a pension that his master was still receiving and give it to Roberts.