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Women’s Lives in Transition

From Enslavement to Freedom

Diary of Elizabeth O. Carter Open
Diary of Elizabeth O. Carter

A unique and important aspect of Elizabeth O. Carter’s diary is that it documents the transition from enslavement to freedom. Societal and economic changes, both big and small, are reflected in her writings. She and the people she once enslaved navigated this new environment day by day. Insight into their new lives in freedom can be gleaned from the entries in the diary. People like Sophia, Fan, and Eve, who had labored for the Carters with no freedom and financial benefit, transitioned to a life where they had choices, could make decisions for themselves, and were paid for their work.


“Sophy + Jake” married in the dining room by Mr. [Kinsolving] 24 December 1862
“Sophy + Jake” married in the dining room by Mr. [Kinsolving] 24 December 1862
Sophia had a Daughter last night. Only sick about 10 [minutes] 27 October 1863
Sophia had a Daughter last night. Only sick about 10 [minutes] 27 October 1863
paid Sophia five dollars for her work 26 February 1866
paid Sophia five dollars for her work 26 February 1866

SOPHIA MOTEN HOWARD

As a young wife and mother, Sophia must have wondered if she would ever have a home to call her own and raise her family. Nine years after freedom came, she and her husband Jacob Howard purchased land near Bellefield. Others soon followed, and the community of Howardsville was formed. Their descendants still own property there.



FAN

Diary entries about Fann, also written as Fann and Fanny, suggest that she was one of the cooks. She baked bread and made fruit cakes. Fann was a midwife and acted in the capacity of caregiver or nurse. She stood her ground with Elizabeth, knowing her rights as a free woman and demanding respect – an act that her former enslaver described as insolence.


Fanny at work in the Kitchen 10 November 1863
Fanny at work in the Kitchen 10 November 1863
Fan very insolent to me 8 October 1866
Fan very insolent to me 8 October 1866
Margaret and Fann making fruit cake also pies + dough nuts 19 December 1865
Margaret and Fann making fruit cake also pies + dough nuts 19 December 1865
Mrs. Tinsman had a child Fann in attendance 23 April 1866
Mrs. Tinsman had a child Fann in attendance 23 April 1866
Eve had a child. Girl called “Frances” 15 October 1860
Eve had a child. Girl called “Frances” 15 October 1860
Wagon to Oatlands with Eve + Sam to drive some hogs 6 May 1864
paid Eve three dollars for chickens. 12 October 1867
paid Eve three dollars for chickens. 12 October 1867
Eve sowed a Hot bed. 19 March 1868
Eve sowed a Hot bed. 19 March 1868

EVE MOTEN

Eve was related in some way to Sophia. She was skilled at raising and managing farm animals and growing food in the kitchen garden. Eve’s daughter Frances was born into slavery and grew up to marry George Henry Russ, a man who had also been born into slavery at Oatlands or Bellefield. He was active in the late 1800s civil rights movement, representing Loudoun in the Colored Republicans of the Eighth Virginia Congressional District.


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Leesburg, VA 20175
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