soon left Savannah for Beaufort, South Carolina which had fallen before the “Yankee” attack.  Soldiers and slaves filled the streets.  The slaves were given all of the food and clothes that they could carry—­confiscated goods from the “Rebels.”  After a bloody struggle in which both sides lost heavily and which lasted for about five years, the war finally ended May 15, 1865.  Will was then a young man twenty-three years of age and was still in Beaufort.  He says that day was a gala day.  Everybody celebrated (except the Southerners).  The slaves were free.

Thousands of Federal soldiers were in evidence.  The Union army was victorious and “Sherman’s March” was a success.  Sherman states that when Jefferson Davis was captured he was disguised in women’s clothes.

Sherman states that Florida had the reputation of having very cruel masters.  He says that when slaves got very unruly, they were told that they were going to be sent to Florida so they could be handled.  During the war thousands of slaves fled from Virginia into Connecticut and New Hampshire.  In 1867 William Sherman left Beaufort and went to Mayport, Florida to live.  He remained there until 1890, then moved to Arona, Florida, living there for awhile; he finally settled in Chaseville, Florida, where he now lives.  During his many years of life he has been married twice and has been the father of sixteen children, all of whom are dead.  He never received any formal education, but learned to read and studied taxidermy which he practiced for many years.

He was at one time Inspector of Elections at Mayport during Reconstruction Days.  He recalled an incident that occurred during the performance of his duties there, which was as follows:  Mr. John Doggett who was running for office on the Democratic ticket brought a number of colored people to Mayport by boat from Chaseville to vote.  Mr. Doggett demanded that they should vote, but Will Sherman was equally insistent that they should not vote because they had not registered and were not qualified.  After much arguing Mr. Doggett saw that Sherman could not be made “to see the light” and left with his prospective voters.  William Sherman once served upon a United States Federal jury during his colorful life.

In appearance he could easily be regarded as a phenomenon.  He is ninety-four years of age, though he appears to be only about fifty-five.  His hair is black and not grey as would be expected; his face is round and unlined; he has dark piercing but kindly eyes.  He is of medium stature.  He has an exceptionally alert mind and recalls past events with the ease of a youth.  The Indian blood that flows in his veins is plainly visible in his features, the color of his skin and the texture of his hair.

He gives as his reason for his lengthy life the Indian blood that is in him and says that he expects to live for nintey-four more years.  Today he lives alone.  He raises a few vegetables and is content in the memories of his past life which has been full. (2)