Legislature sit in Raleigh every year, I sold these articles considerably
to the members, so that I became known not only in the city, but in many
parts of the State, as a _tobacconist_.

Perceiving that I was getting along so well, I began, slave as I was, to
think about taking a wife. So I fixed my mind upon Miss Lucy Williams, a
slave of Thomas Devereaux, Esq., an eminent lawyer in the place; but
failed in my undertaking. Then I thought I never would marry; but at the
end of two or three years my resolution began to slide away, till finding
I could not keep it longer I set out once more in pursuit of a wife. So I
fell in with her to whom I am now united, MISS MARTHA CURTIS, and the
bargain between _us_ was completed. I next went to her master, Mr. Boylan,
and asked him, according to the custom, if I might "marry his woman." His
reply was, "Yes, if you will behave yourself." I told him I would. "And
make her behave herself!" To this I also assented; and then proceeded to
ask the approbation of my master, which was granted. So in May, 1828, I
was bound as fast in wedlock as a slave can be. God may at any time sunder
that band in a freeman; either master may do the same at pleasure in a
slave. The bond is not recognized in law. But in my case it has never been
broken; and now it cannot be, except by a higher power.

When we had been married nine months and one day, we were blessed with a
son, and two years afterwards with a daughter. My wife also passed from
the hands of Mr. Boylan into those of MR. BENJAMIN B. SMITH, a merchant, a
member and class-leader in the Methodist church, and in much repute for
his deep piety and devotion to religion. But grace (of course) had not
wrought in the same _manner_ upon the heart of Mr. Smith, as nature had
done upon that of Mr. Boylan, who made no religious profession. This
latter gentleman used to give my wife, who was a favorite slave, (her
mother nursed every one of his own children,) sufficient food and clothing