Summary
Charles Ball was born around 1785 in Calvert County, Maryland. Both his mother and father were born slaves. Charles's mother died when he was only 4 years old. Upon his mother's death all his siblings were sold. Charles notes that when he was sold for the first time as a child he was naked.The name of the man that first purchased Charles was Jack Cox. Ball notes that he was a man of friendly feelings toward his family, and that he treated his slaves with humanity. Mr. Cox permitted Charles's grandfather to visit him, and sometimes allowed Charles to go on his own to his grandfather's cabin which was relatively nearby. When Charles was about 12 years old Jack Cox died of disease. The father of his master became administrator of his estate. Charles reported that he didn't receive many whippings, but suffered greatly for want of sufficient or proper food. He also reports that he often suffered from cold in the Winters.
One evening Charles's master, Mr. Cox senior, told him that he had hired him out for a year in the city of Washington. He informed Charles he would have to leave his home and work in a Navy Yard for a year.
On New Year's Day he and his master set forward for Washington. He began working as a cook on a frigate. While Charles was working his one year term at the ship yard he became aware that he was part of a lawsuit. His new master claimed him under his purchase from Mr. Cox senior, and another gentlemen of the neighborhood, Levin Ballard claimed he had bought Charles from his former master, Jack Cox junior. It was decided that Charles would go home with his new master Mr. Gibson, with whom he came to live for 3 years. Soon after he came to live with Mr. Gibson, Charles married a colored woman named Judah, a slave residing in the same neighborhood. Charles was sold by Mr. Gibson to Mr. Ballard, which he served 3 years. While living with Mr. Ballard, one night Charles was so hungry that he stole a sheep from the plantation's flock. His Master came home late that night and saw that there was light coming from Charles's cabin. Mr. Ballard caught Charles in the act of cooking this sheep. As punishment, his master took him outside and tied him to a post overnight. Mr. Ballard also took the sheep from Charles. Under the service of Mr. Ballard, Charles was forced to go to Georgia, separated from his Wife and small children. During this time he contemplated suicide being away from his wife and children.
When Charles finally tried to escape from Mr. Ballard he did so at night. Charles stopped by the house of his Master's friend, who gave him meat and bread. He made his way to South Carolina. He sustained himself on various animals. During this escape he was caught by a white man and put into jail. After being in jail about 2 months, he was sent to the home of the white man that captured him. This man set him to work on his plantation. One night Charles resolved to escape his new master. He was captured again on the road. His master sold him. Charles chose to run away again. He met a negro man who was on his way to his own Master's ship, which was sailing to Philadelphia. Ball successfully snuck his way onto that ship bound for Philadelphia. Charles found out that his wife and children has been sold into slavery. His narrative ends as him as a free man in Philadelphia.
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