Life on the Old Plantation in Ante-Bellum Days

by Irving E. Lowery

This volume is from 1911. A summary from the book's have no apology to make, and no excuse to offer for writing this book, "Life on the Old Plantation in Ante-Bellum Days'. It is not the result of vanity, neither is it a desire for notoriety, that prompted me to write it. No, my reasons are higher, and my purposes are nobler. My only desire has been to do good. The religious element runs through the entire story. It has been a work of faith and a labor of love to me. I cannot express the pleasure I have had in sitting down, and recalling the incidents of my childhood and youth. In doing so, it has enabled me to live my life over again. I only hope that the reader will experience something of the same pleasure in reading the book that I have had in writing it. The "Brief Sketches of the Author" were written just twenty years ago by the late Rev. J. Wofford White. He was a colored man, and a close friend of mine, and was born and reared in the same neighborhood with myself. These sketches were printed in The Christian Witness, a Boston newspaper, and were clipped and carefully pasted in my scrapbook. I republish them in this connection without changing a single word. I would ask the reader to peruse them carefully, and compare them with Chapter XI, entitled "Little Jimmie, the Mail Boy," and note the similarity of characters. I have written this book because there is no other work in existence just like it. No author, white or colored, so far as I know, has traversed, or attempted to traverse, the literary path which I presume to have trodden in writing this book. We are now about forty-five years away from the last days of slavery and the first days of freedom, and the people who have any personal knowledge of those days are rapidly crossing the mystic river, and entering the land that knows no shadows; and soon, there will not be one left to tell the story. And it is the author's thought that a record of the better life of those days should be left for the good of the future generations of this beautiful southland. Others have written of the evil side of those days, but the author felt it to be his mission to write of the better side. Before the war, the relation that existed between the master and his slaves was, in most cases, one of tenderness and affection. There was a mutual attachment between them, which has commanded the admiration of the world. But since the war, an estrangement between the colored and the white races has sprung up, which has resulted in a feeling of intense bitterness and alienation. But I am glad to say that things are now taking a turn for the better. I can see signs of a better day ahead ; and if this book should, in any way, contribute to, and help on this much desired day, the author will be satisfied. Sketches of the Author I. The Old Plantation II. The Proprietor of the Old Plantation III. Granny, the Cook, on the Old PlantationIV. A Possum Hunt on the Old PlantationV. A Wedding on the Old PlantationVI. Christmas on the Old PlantationVII. Sunday on the Old PlantationVIII. A Funeral on the Old PlantationIX. A Log-Rolling on the Old PlantationX. A Corn-Shucking on thp Old Plantation XI. Little Jimmie " the Mail Boy" on the Old PlantationXII. A Love Story on the Old PlantationXIII. The Breaking Up of the Old PlantationPart TwoAppendixSigns of a Better Day for the Negro in the SouthBy I. E. Lowery IntroductionII. White Patrons of Negro Business EnteprisesIII. White Contributors Toward the Building of Negro ChurchesIV.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Civil War, Historical

118 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2009

Reviews

[D.L. Teamor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface this by saying that I gave this book three stars for very specific reasons. It is well written and gives insight to some of the customs, traditions and linguistics of that time, and I can appreciate that.

I must say, however, that I've never had a book make me literally nauseous. I had a very difficult time reading from someone so conditioned by the institution of slavery and so co-dependent on heinous slave owners.

Having heard the stories of my antecedents and those of my African American acquaintances, it saddens me that the author was that emotionally deceived by those of a confederate mindset. I can't explain how appreciative I am of my ancestors after reading this. Because of them, the endurance of their suffering and the recognition of the truth of slavery, I have achieved great things knowing that I owe them my success in exchange for their survival in what for them was a foreign land.

[Rosa King · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Better Day"

"Life on the Old Plantation in Ante-Bellum Days" is an enlightening view into the narrator's world. He carefully documents his experiences growing up in southern slavery and later becoming an educated professional during the reconstruction period and early twentieth century. The scenes and anecdotes Rev. Lowery describes with sensitivity seem at first overly romanticized; however, the consistent theme throughout his memoir is one of hopefulness. There are copious examples of goodwill between blacks and whites supported by quotes from articles and letters, as well as excerpts from speeches by prominent white figures. Today's reader might find much of the latter condescending and patronizing, particularly in references to the merits of a race "in its infancy," but it is an honest reflection of the times. Nonetheless, the author is optimistic that progress through education for the newly emancipated is a sign of "a better day ahead." This is a thoughtfully written first-hand account of slavery and post-slavery times worth reading for its historical value.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, i will preface my remarks by stating that this book was written in 1910 by a "son of the south." that being said, this book scared me, and i am so glad i live in this day and age. the writer speaks about darkies and "n" traders and people being whipped and then in the next paragraph states how far along relations had come between the "superior" white race and the "colored" people. the whole tone of this book seems condescending to me, and for a christian writer, just so hypocritical. won't be reading this one again

[Amy Sawyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times you feel you are sitting on a front porch listening to the author reminesce about his youth. A much different perspective on his years of slavery then what the reader might expect . This edition has rampant typesetting errors, so be prepared to decode some words!
The author included some of his articles for local papers as well. Again, he presents a much different perspective. Still a fascinating read because it gives you a close peek into a notorious past.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sentimental and hopeful account of slave life on a plantation and the 45 years following emancipation, written by a former slave. The author defends his white master, even as his stories reveal the degrading practices of slavery no matter how principled the slave owner and the affection both master and slave owners may feel for each other.

[Terena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Narrative

I love reading historical facts of any type; especially from a first hand account. Our history taught in educational institutions, today is often misleading, biased, and very one-sided.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more from this book. Never finished it.

[Ebook Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, the e-book version can be found at:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?que...

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

difficult read as it seems to be not taken from narratives but more of what they want you think of life on the plantation was like.