Story Of A Devoted Slave Analysis

Passed down from generation to generation, oral tradition predominates as one of the most significant sources in discovering the history of the African diaspora. Plagued by illiteracy, the tangible text of the past remains useless for both the freed man and slave, this heightens the use of spoken word to elicit the events of themselves and their ancestors. Through the American Folklore Center, the stories that George Johnson convey, take form. Interviewed in 1940, George Johnson, a former slave from Brierfield, Virginia, recalls the tales of his own enslavement as well as the stories he passed down from his father and grandfather. However, his strictly progressive rendition of his place in North American slavery, not only question the accuracy of his own life events, but the reliability of oral tradition as a whole. Questioned by Charles Johnson, George Johnson divulges the origin of himself and his family’s place within North American society. Prompted to explain the birth of his name, George Johnson reveals he got it from his father’s and grandfather’s master: Jeff Davis. Upon answering
The article includes even more detail about the exchange between Davis and Ben concerning the land. Ben is depicted as not only a respected slave, but as Davis’ private secretary, right-hand man, and friend. According to this source, Ben sought out a personal meeting with Abraham Lincoln resulting in the president granting Ben Union protection of the plantations. It even goes so far as to say Jefferson Davis attend and spoke kindly of him at Ben Montgomery’s funeral, saying, “I have had in my life many true and faithful friends, but none more faithful the he whom this day we have laid to rest.” 1 Overall, an extremely idyllic narrative of a master and slave. However, not all historical records are in agreement with George’s