A Narrative of the Most Remarkable Particulars in the Life of James Albert Ukawsaw Gronniosaw, an A | Page 6

greatly disappointed when I
found it would not speak, this thought immediately presented itself to
me, that every body and every thing despis'd me because I was black.
I was exceedingly sea-sick at first; but when I became more accustom'd
to the sea, it wore off.--My master's ship was bound for Barbadoes.
When we came there, he thought fit to speak of me to several
gentlemen of his acquaintance, and one of them exprest a particular
desire to see me.--He had a great mind to buy me; but the Captain
could not immediately be prevail'd on to part with me; but however, as
the gentleman seem'd very solicitous, he at length let me go, and I was
sold for fifty dollars (four and sixpenny-pieces in English). My new
master's name was Vanhorn, a young Gentleman; his home was in
New-England in the City of New-York; to which place he took me with
him. He dress'd me in his livery, and was very good to me. My chief
business was to wait at table, and tea, and clean knives, and I had a
very easy place; but the servants us'd to curse and swear surprizingly;
which I learnt faster than any thing, 'twas almost the first English I
could speak. If any of them affronted me, I was sure to call upon God
to damn them immediately; but I was broke of it all at once, occasioned
by the correction of an old black servant that liv'd in the family--One
day I had just clean'd the knives for dinner, when one of the maids took
one to cut bread and butter with; I was very angry with her, and called
upon God to damn her; when this old black man told me I must not say
so. I ask'd him why? He replied there was a wicked man call'd the

Devil, that liv'd in hell, and would take all that said these words, and
put them in the fire and burn them.--This terrified me greatly, and I was
entirely broke of swearing.--Soon after this, as I was placing the china
for tea, my mistress came into the room just as the maid had been
cleaning it; the girl had unfortunately sprinkled the wainscot with the
mop; at which my mistress was angry; the girl very foolishly answer'd
her again, which made her worse, and she call'd upon God to damn
her.--I was vastly concern'd to hear this, as she was a fine young lady,
and very good to me, insomuch that I could not help speaking to her,
"Madam, says I, you must not say so," Why, says she? Because there is
a black man call'd the Devil that lives in hell, and he will put you in the
fire and burn you, and I shall be very sorry for that. Who told you this
replied my lady? Old Ned, says I. Very well was all her answer; but she
told my master of it, and he order'd that old Ned should be tyed up and
whipp'd, and was never suffer'd to come into the kitchen with the rest
of the servants afterwards.--My mistress was not angry with me, but
rather diverted with my simplicity and, by way of talk, She repeated
what I had said, to many of her acquaintance that visited her; among
the rest, Mr. Freelandhouse, a very gracious, good Minister, heard it,
and he took a great deal of notice of me, and desired my master to part
with me to him. He would not hear of it at first, but, being greatly
persuaded, he let me go, and Mr. Freelandhouse gave £50. for me.--He
took me home with him, and made me kneel down, and put my two
hands together, and pray'd for me, and every night and morning he did
the same.--I could not make out what it was for, nor the meaning of it,
nor what they spoke to when they talk'd--I thought it comical, but I
lik'd it very well.--After I had been a little while with my new master I
grew more familiar, and ask'd him the meaning of prayer: (I could
hardly speak english to be understood) he took great pains with me, and
made me understand that he pray'd to God, who liv'd in Heaven; that
He was my Father and best Friend.--I told him that this must be a
mistake; that my father liv'd at Bournou, and I wanted very much to see
him, and likewise my dear mother, and sister, and I wish'd he would be
so good as to send me home to them; and I added, all I could think of to
induce him to convey me back. I appeared in great trouble, and my
good master was so much affected that the tears ran down his