Slave Owners of Georgia

"Years ago rich men bought large tracts of land in Early County to plant in cotton for their slaves to work. These gentlemen were not always residents of the county, but many of them lived in other parts of the state. It was necessary to divide this land into farms, and to name each farm as a matter of convenience. Gen. Taylor, a survivor of the Mexican War, and who lived in Athens, came down sometimes to his home place, where he had a nice house. That was called Adnis, now called Peru. Other places he owned were Erin, Boling broke, Gum bottom, Bare Ben, Fairfield, The Grove, Walnut Fork, Rockwood."

"Other farms owned by different people are Sleepy Hollow, Glenellen, Rosenwick, Ravenswood, Rose Dhu, Forest Hill, Wampee, Bellfont."

"The Slaves of William Metellus Standifer and his wife, Mary Grist Bryan Standifer were:

1. Shadrach 2. Washington 3. Virgil 4. Dennis 5. Maria 6. Sylvia 7. Rose
8. Zilpha 9. Harriet 10. John 11. Walker 12. Warren 13. Callie 14. Ellis 15. Eli
16. Joseph

The first four men were given to my father, Dr. William Metellus Standifer by his father, Archibald Standifer, of Jasper County. The first named "Uncle Shade" was an old man, and did not do anything. The other men were hired out to farmers, who needed help.

The other Negroes, beginning at No. 5 were left to my mother by her father, Joseph Bryan. My mother's name was Mary Grist Bryan Standifer. No. 5 came just before the close of the War. No. 6 was married to Ellis, who belonged to Aunt Susan Wakefield, who lived in Gordon, Ala. and Aunt Silvia always lived there with him.

No. 7 was our "Mammie", and was respected by all who knew her, and loved by all of the children. She could work any where, cook, weave, spin, and was a fine seamstress. She was married to "Uncle Eli", who was own by Dr. Nick Christian of Georgetown. She had a house some distance from our house, and "Uncle Elie" would come every month or two to see her. They were legally married in our backyard, after emancipation. Afterward, Mammie and her children and grandchildren moved to Lee County.

No. 8, Zilpha (we called her "Ninny") was a fine cook and the mother of the four children named below. Callie, Ellis, Eli, and Joseph.

No. 9, Harriet was Mammie's second daughter. She was my nurse and taught me to read when I was three years old. She and Turner Griffin were married, just a short while before they were freed, and my mother gave them a big wedding. The supper was bountiful and was served in the kitchen, where we could see the bride with her white veil on.

No. 10, John was a fine carpenter, and was very religious. He had a room near the kitchen, and his wife, Emmeline, used to come to see him often. She belonged to Dr. Nick Christian, and took care of his motherless daughters, in Georgetown.

No. 11, Walker was a helper to John.

No. 12, Warren was left to my mother by one of her uncles, and came just before the close of the war."