Chicken and goose feathers were jealously saved during these days.  They were used for the mattresses that rested on the beds of wooden slats that were built in corners against the walls.  Hoop skirts were worn at the time, but for how long afterward Matilda does not remember.  She only recalls that they were disappearing ’about the time I saw a windmill for the first time’.

The coming of the Yankee soldiers created much excitement among the slaves on the Pickens plantation.  The slaves were in ignorance of activities going on, and of their approach, but when the first one was sighted the news spread ‘just like dry grass burning up a hill’.  Despite the kindness of Governor Pickens the slaves were happy to claim their new-found freedom.  Some of them even ran away to join the Northern armies before they were officially freed.  Some attempted to show their loyalty to their old owners by joining the southern armies, but in this section they were not permitted to do so.

After she was released from slavery Matilda came with her parents to the Monticello section, where the Knoxes became paid house servants.  The parents took an active part in politics in the section, and Matilda was sent to school.  White teachers operated the schools at first, and were later replaced by Negro teachers.  Churches were opened with Negro ministers in the pulpits, and other necessities of community life eventually came to the vicinity.

Matilda still lives in one of the earlier homes of her parents in the area, now described as ‘Rooster-Town’ by its residents.  The section is in the eastern part of Monticello.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Interview with subject, Matilda Brooks; “Rooster-Town”, eastern part of city, Monticello, Jefferson County, Fla.

FEDERAL WRITERS’ PROJECT American Guide, (Negro Writers’ Unit)

Alfred Farrell, Field Worker
John A. Simms, Editor
Titusville, Florida
September 25, 1936

TITUS I. BYNES

Titus B. [TR:  Titus I. above] Bynes, affectionately known as “Daddy Bynes”, is reminiscent of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s immortal “Uncle Tom” and Joel Chandler Harris’ inimitable ‘Uncle Remus’ with his white beard and hair surrounding a smiling black face.  He was born in November 1846 in what is now Clarendon County, South Carolina.  Both his father, Cuffy, and mother, Diana, belonged to Gabriel Flowden who owned 75 or 80 slaves and was noted for his kindness to them.

Bynes’ father was a common laborer, and his mother acted in the capacity of chambermaid and spinner.  They had 12 children, seven boys—­Abraham, Tutus[TR:?], Reese, Lawrence, Thomas, Billie, and Hamlet—­and five girls—­Charity, Chrissy, Fannie, Charlotte, and Violet.