Melissa Barden
From:
Ohio
Story and Photo by Frank M. Smith
Ex-Slaves
Mahoning County, District #5
Youngstown, Ohio
The Story of MRS. MELISSA (LOWE) BARDEN, Youngstown, Ohio.
Mrs. Melissa (Lowe) Barden of 1671 Jacobs Road, was "bred and born" on
the plantation of David Lowe, near Summersville, Georgia, Chattooga
County, and when asked how old she was said "I's way up yonder
somewheres maybe 80 or 90 years."
Melissa assumed her master's name Lowe, and says he was very good to her
and that she loved him. Only once did she feel ill towards him and that
was when he sold her mother. She and her sister were left alone. Later
he gave her sister and several other slaves to his newly married
daughter as a wedding present. This sister was sold and re-sold and when
the slaves were given their freedom her mother came to claim her
children, but Melissa was the only one of the four she could find. Her
mother took her to a plantation in Newton County, where they worked
until coming north. The mother died here and Melissa married a man named
Barden.
Melissa says she was very happy on the plantation where they danced and
sang folk songs of the South, such as "Sho' Fly Go 'Way From Me", and
others after their days work was done.
When asked if she objected to having her picture taken she said, "all
right, but don't you-all poke fun at me because I am just as God made
me."
Melissa lives with her daughter, Nany Hardie, in a neat bungalow on the
Sharon Line, a Negro district. Melissa's health is good with the
exception of cataracts over her eyes which have caused her to be totally
blind.
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Susan Bledsoe
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Charles H Anderson
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