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Camp Nelson Ky
March 1865.
Personally appeared before me J. M. Kelly Notary Public in and for the County of Jessamine State of Kentucky Frances Johnson a woman of color who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say -
I am the wife of Nathan Johnson a soldier in Company F. 116th U.S.C. Infty. I have three children and with them I belonged to Matthias Outon Fayette County Ky. My husband who belonged to Mary Outon Woodford Co. Ky enlisted in the United States service at Camp Nelson Ky. in May 1864. The day after my husband enlisted my master knew it and
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said that he (my husband) and all the "niggers" did mighty wrong in joining the Army. Subsequent to May 1864 I remained with my master until freed to leave on account of the cruel treatment to which I was subjected. On Wednesday March 8th 1865. my masters son Thomas Outon whipped me severely on my refusing to do some work which I was not in a condition to perform. He beat me in the presence of his father who told him (Tho Outon) to "buck me and give me a thousand" meaning thereby a thousand lashes. While beating me he threw me on the floor and as I was in this prostrate and helpless condition he continued to whip me endeavoring at one time to tie my hands and at another time to make an indecent exposure of my person before those present. I resisted as much as I could and to some extent thwarted his malignant designs. In consequence of this whipping suffered much pain in my head and sides. The scar now visible on my neck was inflicted at that time. After such treatment I determined to leave my master and early on the following morning Thursday March 9th 1865 I stealthy started for Lexington about seven miles distant where my sister resided. On my arrival there I was confined on account of sickness produced by the abuse I had received from my masters son as aforementioned.
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During Friday March 10th 1865 I sought a lodging for myself and children - Towards evening I found one and about 7 O'clock at night I left for my masters intending to take my children away. About 9. O'clock I arrived there much fatigued, went to the Cabin where my children were, no one but the colored folks knowing that I was present, got my children with the exception of one that was too sick to move, and about 10 O'clock P.M. started for a neighboring Cabin where we remained during the night. At day break next morning I started for Lexington. My youngest child was in my arms, the other walked by my side. When on the Pike about a mile from home I was accosted by Theopilas Bracey my masters son-in-law who told me that if I did not go back with him he would shoot me. He drew a pistol on me as he mad this threat. I could offer no resistance as he constantly Kept the pistol pointed at me. I returned with him to his (Bracy) house carrying my children as before I remained at Bracys all day. My sick child was moved there during the day I tried to find some chance of running away but Bracey was watching me. He took my eldest child (about seven years of age) and Kept her as an Hostage. I found I could not get away from
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Bracey's with my children, and determined to get away myself hoping by this means to obtain possession of them afterwards. I knew Bracey would not give me my children or allow me to go away myself so at daybreak on the following morning Sunday March 12th I secretly left Bracey's, took to the woods in order to elude pursuit, reached Lexington and subsequently arrived at Camp Nelson. My children are still held by Bracey. I am anxious to have them but I am afraid to go near them knowing that Bracey would not let me have them and fearing least he would carry out his threat to shoot me. And further the deponent saith not.
(Signed) Frances her mark Johnson
Subscribed and Sworn
before me this 25th March 1865
(Signed) J. M. Kelley
Notary Public
Witness E. F. Johnson
Camp Nelson Ky
March 1865.
Personally appeared before me J. M. Kelly Notary Public in and for the County of Jessamine State of Kentucky Frances Johnson a woman of color who being duly sworn according to law doth depose and say -
I am the wife of Nathan Johnson a soldier in Company F. 116th U.S.C. Infty. I have three children and with them I belonged to Matthias Outon Fayette County Ky. My husband who belonged to Mary Outon Woodford Co. Ky enlisted in the United States service at Camp Nelson Ky. in May 1864. The day after my husband enlisted my master knew it and
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said that he (my husband) and all the "niggers" did mighty wrong in joining the Army. Subsequent to May 1864 I remained with my master until freed to leave on account of the cruel treatment to which I was subjected. On Wednesday March 8th 1865. my masters son Thomas Outon whipped me severely on my refusing to do some work which I was not in a condition to perform. He beat me in the presence of his father who told him (Tho Outon) to "buck me and give me a thousand" meaning thereby a thousand lashes. While beating me he threw me on the floor and as I was in this prostrate and helpless condition he continued to whip me endeavoring at one time to tie my hands and at another time to make an indecent exposure of my person before those present. I resisted as much as I could and to some extent thwarted his malignant designs. In consequence of this whipping suffered much pain in my head and sides. The scar now visible on my neck was inflicted at that time. After such treatment I determined to leave my master and early on the following morning Thursday March 9th 1865 I stealthy started for Lexington about seven miles distant where my sister resided. On my arrival there I was confined on account of sickness produced by the abuse I had received from my masters son as aforementioned.
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During Friday March 10th 1865 I sought a lodging for myself and children - Towards evening I found one and about 7 O'clock at night I left for my masters intending to take my children away. About 9. O'clock I arrived there much fatigued, went to the Cabin where my children were, no one but the colored folks knowing that I was present, got my children with the exception of one that was too sick to move, and about 10 O'clock P.M. started for a neighboring Cabin where we remained during the night. At day break next morning I started for Lexington. My youngest child was in my arms, the other walked by my side. When on the Pike about a mile from home I was accosted by Theopilas Bracey my masters son-in-law who told me that if I did not go back with him he would shoot me. He drew a pistol on me as he mad this threat. I could offer no resistance as he constantly Kept the pistol pointed at me. I returned with him to his (Bracy) house carrying my children as before I remained at Bracys all day. My sick child was moved there during the day I tried to find some chance of running away but Bracey was watching me. He took my eldest child (about seven years of age) and Kept her as an Hostage. I found I could not get away from
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Bracey's with my children, and determined to get away myself hoping by this means to obtain possession of them afterwards. I knew Bracey would not give me my children or allow me to go away myself so at daybreak on the following morning Sunday March 12th I secretly left Bracey's, took to the woods in order to elude pursuit, reached Lexington and subsequently arrived at Camp Nelson. My children are still held by Bracey. I am anxious to have them but I am afraid to go near them knowing that Bracey would not let me have them and fearing least he would carry out his threat to shoot me. And further the deponent saith not.
(Signed) Frances her mark Johnson
Subscribed and Sworn
before me this 25th March 1865
(Signed) J. M. Kelley
Notary Public
Witness E. F. Johnson