![]() ![]() Millie Evans, of North Carolina, born in 1849, explains:Īll Old Master's niggers was married by the white preacher, but he had a neighbor who would marry his niggers hisself. "jumping the broom" or "jumping the broomstick." There are dozens of reports of the latter. In antebellum times, slaves were married either by an ordained minister or simply by a ceremony called Jumping the Broom: On the Origin and Meaning of an African American Wedding Customīy Alan Dundes, University of California, Berkeley The only charms that were worn were made out of The slaves had herbs of their own, and made Henry Mudd, the one who gave Boothįirst aid, was our doctor. A graveyard on the place, only a wooden post I have seen many coloredįunerals with no service. The Methodists wereĬhristened and the Baptists were baptized. "We went to the white Methodist church with slave gallery, The bride's trousseau, she would wear the cast-offĬlothes of the mistress, or, at other times the clothes made by other For the wedding the groom wore ordinary clothes, sometimes youĬould not tell the original outfit for the patches, and sometimes Someone from another plantation, the master of the wife owned all theĬhildren. "I have seen many slave weddings, the master holding a Stock, after which we did what we wanted. In summer our clothes were made from cast-off clothes and Kentucky "As for clothes, we all wore home-made clothes, the material woven on You have asked about gardens, yes, some slaves had small garden patches "My choice food was fish and crabs cooked in all styles by mother. The outside, plastered between the logs, in which was a fireplace withĪn open grate to cook on and to put logs on the fire to heat. Snow from beating over the top of the door, with a large log chimney on Were no porches, over the door was a wide board to keep the rain and Up and one down, very large with two windows, one in each room. The plantation on which I was bornįronted more than three miles on the river. "I was born in a log cabin, a typical Charles County log cabin, at Sisters both of whom are living, Sarah and Elizabeth Ford. Vincent Harrison, I do not know about my father's people. ![]() Deane, son of John and Jane Deane, born at Gooseīay in Charles County, May 20, 1850. ![]() "binding force" in the slave couple's relationship and made them feelĪt his home, 1514 Druid Hill Ave., Baltimore. While historians and scholars differ on the origin, exact meaning,Īnd the frequency of the "irregular" marriage ritual, most agree that Touching it, then there would be no "bossin." Would be declared the one who would rule or boss the household. Then step across the brooms at the same time joining hands to signal Separate brooms on the floor in front of each other. On some farms, the slave bride and groom would place Required slave couples to jump over a broomstick. The ceremony could include the slave marriage Would have a white minister or a black plantation preacher perform theĬeremony, and a large feast and dance in the "quarters" would follow Were generally reserved for house servants. Manson bought me back and owned meįormal marriage ceremonies for slave couples like Benjamin and Sarah Sarah's master that we were married." Shortly after their marriage, It was with the knowledgeĪnd consent of my master and Rev Ben White said the marriageĬeremony." The "wedding ceremony," he continued, "took place on the In a pension application he filed as the dependent of his deceased son Benjamin, who was brought to Tennessee from Virginia asĪ young boy by his then-owner, Nancy Manson, later described the event Getting the master's permission and moving into a cabin together."īenjamin and Sarah Manson's marriage, however, had been graced with aįormal ceremony. "the marriage ceremony in most cases consisted of the slaves simply Without the benefit of clergy, and as historian John Blassingame states, To visit only with the consent of their owners. Couples who resided on different plantations were allowed Slave husbandsĪnd wives, without legal recourse, could be separated or sold at their Slave marriages had neither legal standing nor protection from theĪbuses and restrictions imposed on them by slave-owners. Sealing the Sacred Bonds of Holy Matrimony ![]()
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