Jourdon Anderson's Letter: A Classic in the Literature of Slavery and Emancipation
Jourdon Anderson's letter is a classic in the literature of slavery and emancipation. The former slave wrote a response to a plantation owner who was desperate for his return, and it was published in a Cincinnati newspaper.
Background and Context
Jordan Anderson lived in Dayton with his wife and family after the Civil War ended, and it was there that he received a letter from his former master asking him to come back to work at the plantation. The slaveowner was in debt, and he wanted to convince Jourdon Anderson to help bring in the harvest.
Mentions of Three People
In the letter, Jourdon mentions three people. He mentions a "Miss Mary," who is probably his wife, and he mentions a "Martha," who is likely the daughter of the plantation owner. He also mentions a "Henry," who may be his son.
Looking Beyond His Own Experience
What he said in the letter is interesting and shows that he was able to see beyond his own experience, and he wanted to give something back to his former owner for all the hard work he had done as a slave. In addition, he also mentions that he had a great deal of knowledge.
Desire for Own Land and Education
He also mentions that he would like to get his own land in Ohio, which he could use to farm and earn his own money. This is important for him to have in order to pay off his debts and live a comfortable life. Another point that he makes is about the education of his children and how that would benefit them. He wants his children to be able to have a good education in order to have a better future for them.
Willingness to Contribute
Besides stating that he wanted to provide for his family, Jourdon also stated that he was willing to do his share to improve the condition of the plantation. He asked that his former master pay him for the wages he had worked for and would also pay him for his wife's clothing, his three doctor's visits, and the time her tooth had to be pulled. He goes so far as to do the math and calculate how much he should receive from his former master for all the work that he had done as a slave. He then asks for that amount in cash and he also suggests that his former master send it to him in Ohio by express mail at a time convenient to them both.
A Sense of Defiance and Communication Through Humor
His letter is filled with humor and a clear sense of defiance, which is a reflection of his experience as a slave. It is written in a deadpan tone that is very humorous and is able to convey his feelings without offending his former master. Jourdon Anderson's letter is one of the best examples of how enslaved people in America used satire to communicate with their masters. Slaves had to be very careful about what they said because they would be punished if they were caught critiquing or offending their master class, so they developed sophisticated forms of indirection and other methods of masking their true sentiments.
