H-52

GENERAL ROBERT ANDREW PLANTATION SLAVES

THE OLD MASTER

"And whereas there are several old and decrepit Negroes which are of 
little or no value but which must be supported while they live, vic: Mandy, 
Solomon, Old Cato and young Cato, Old Dido and Old Nancy. It is my wish 
these old and infirm negroes be supported and made comfortable in the 
plantations while they live. Therefore, it is my will that Ben Swaney, Cyrus, 
John, Jim (vix. Nancy's Jim), Salem, Joe, Martin Cato and Jeff (except as may 
be hereinafter directed) all men grown but Joe, and he is nearly so, and 
Dinah, Swaney's wife, Mourning, Martin Cato's wife, Affy, Carrie, Nancy, 
Peggy, her sister, and Tabby, Affy's oldest child, all women and girls, with 
their children (only those who have been otherwise disposed of by this 
instrument) and the offspring of the females, shall all remain upon; the 
plantation under the supervision and direction of my son, Robert Anderson. It 
is my will generally that none of the negroes bequeathed as above should be 
sold unless they should turn out to be the thieves and unless they can not be 
restrained by good treatment, friendly caution, admonitions and a merciful use 
of the rod of correction." 

The above is an extract from the Will of Gen. Robert Anderson, and it 
reads like the typical old Southern master, the old school, Christian 
gentleman. 

The whole tenor of this paragraph is that of a kindly, humane patriarch, 
solicitous for the future comfort and welfare of those who are dependent on 
him in their helpless old age. They have been his faithful servants all their 
days and he does not forget them in the days of their decrepitude. Did you 
ever read a more humane provision in a will? "It is my wish these old and 
infirm negroes be supported and made comfortable on the plantation while 
they live." And the humanity of the old master is further exemplified in his 
direction that none if the negroes bequeathed should be sold unless they 
turned out to be thieves, and only then upon the condition that they do not 
respond to discipline, or as he puts it, "Merciful use of the rod of 
correction," showing his firm belief in the wisdom of the wisest man who ever 
wrote. What a picture this presents of the relation of master and servant in 
contrast to the horrible caricature presented in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Gen. 
Anderson must have been a remarkably strong and sturdy man with deep religious 
convictions, as these characteristics crop out in every line of his will written 
in his own handwriting. His religious faith was of the Calvinistic order getting 
in him strong convictions and a tenacious clinging to them with Scotch Irish 
Pertinacity. He was a type, and a splendid one of the old Southern master 
between whom and his servants there existed almost the affectionate relation 
of a family household, something very nearly resembling the patriarchal 
households of the olden days of Abraham. The South was full of men of this 
type and it is no wonder that in the days of the Revolution the British found in 
them foreman whose unconquerable spirit they could not subdue. Born to 
command they made invincible leaders and themselves constituted rallying 
points which served to keep alive the revolutionary fires. The memory of such 
men is a priceless legacy to any country. 

General Anderson shows his wonderful faith in God by the way he closed 
his will, his final words are: "And now my blessed redeemer do I with a lively 
faith lay hold of the meritorious death and suffering hoping to be washed 
clean by the precious blood from all my sins. In this I rest and wait my call." 

By: Mitch Fincher