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African American Families In The 19th Century

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During the nineteenth century, raising a family while enslaved was a difficult task. The constant concern was whether families could stay together. Mothers in particular were worried about giving their children the best opportunity to succeed in life. This was even more difficult because their life on the plantation was not always so pleasant. Nineteenth century African American families needed to be strong willed and motivated in order to survive. Without these attributes, the family would fall apart. In addition, these families were denied any personal liberties whether it was their education or entertainment.
During slavery, the union of slaves through marriage was not accepted an accepted American law. Henry Banner, a slave from Russell County, Virginia, recalls, “If a woman didn’t breed well, she was put in a gang and sold. They married just like they do now but they didn’t have no license.” Any slave proprietor had the right to sell any member of the family (husband, wife, child). Banner also reveals about children were being sold even they were young, “I was sold the third year of the war for fifteen …show more content…
Today the tune has been long forgotten, but the message still greatly resounds when reading the words. Their verses uncover an ever-present feeling of threat and torment as lullabies have constantly done. They fill the void of giving youngsters the ability to relax and give them something to anticipate for the future. W.B. Allen, born around 1850 in Russell County, Alabama reminisces, “…but I usually waked up and remember that my old black mother always sang as she prepared breakfast in the big, open fireplace. I can’t remember the word of the song she sang, but I do remember snatches of them, as follows: ‘Our troubles will soon be over, I’m going to live with Jesus-after while; Praying time will soon be over, I’m going home to live with Jesus-after

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