I had not much happiness in my marriage, owing to my being a slave. It
made my husband sad to see me so ill-treated. Mrs. Wood was always abusing
me about him. She did not lick me herself, but she got her husband to do
it for her, whilst she fretted the flesh off my bones. Yet for all this
she would not sell me. She sold five slaves whilst I was with her; but
though she was always finding fault with me, she would not part with me.
However, Mr. Wood afterwards allowed Daniel to have a place to live in our
yard, which we were very thankful for.

After this, I fell ill again with the rheumatism, and was sick a long
time; but whether sick or well, I had my work to do. About this time I
asked my master and mistress to let me buy my own freedom. With the help
of Mr. Burchell, I could have found the means to pay Mr. Wood; for it was
agreed that I should afterwards, serve Mr. Burchell a while, for the cash
he was to advance for me. I was earnest in the request to my owners; but
their hearts were hard--too hard to consent. Mrs. Wood was very angry--she
grew quite outrageous--she called me a black devil, and asked me who had
put freedom into my head. "To be free is very sweet," I said: but she took
good care to keep me a slave. I saw her change colour, and I left the
room.

About this time my master and mistress were going to England to put their
son to school, and bring their daughters home; and they took me with them
to take care of the child. I was willing to come to England: I thought
that by going there I should probably get cured of my rheumatism, and
should return with my master and mistress, quite well, to my husband. My
husband was willing for me to come away, for he had heard that my master
would free me,--and I also hoped this might prove true; but it was all a
false report.