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
to render her comfortable, so that I had to spend for her but little,
except to procure such small articles of extra comfort as I was prompted
to from time to time. Indeed Mr. Boylan was regarded as a very kind master
to all the slaves about him; that is, to his house servants; nor did he
inflict much cruelty upon his field hands, except by proxy.
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