<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPeter Petty was about twenty-four years of age, and wore a happy countenance; he was a person of agreeable manners, and withal pretty smart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledged, that he had been owned by Joseph Boukley, Hair Inspector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter did not give Mr. Boukley a very good character, however; he said, that Mr. B. was “rowdyish in his habits, was deceitful and sly, and would sell his slaves any time. Hard bondage\u2014something like the children of Israel,” was his simple excuse for fleeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He hired his time of his master, for which he was compelled to pay $156 a year. When he lost time by sickness or rainy weather, he was required to make up the deficiency, also find his clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He left a wife\u2014Lavinia\u2014and one child, Eliza, both slaves. Peter communicated to his wife his secret intention to leave, and she acquiesced in his going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He left his parents also. All his sisters and brothers had been sold. Peter would have been sold too, but his owner was under the impression, that he was “too good a Christian” to violate the laws by running away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peter’s master was quite a devoted Methodist, and was attached to the same Church with Peter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While on the subject of religion, Peter was asked about the kind and character of preaching that he had been accustomed to hear; whereupon he gave the following graphic specimen: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Servants obey your masters; good servants make good masters;\u00a0when your mistress speaks to you don’t pout out your mouths; when you want to go to church ask your mistress and master,” etc., etc.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\nPeter declared, that he had never heard but one preacher speak against slavery, and that “one was obliged to leave suddenly for the North.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said, that a Quaker lady spoke in meeting against Slavery one day, which resulted in an outbreak, and final breaking up of the meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n