REFERENCES

1.  Interview with Young Winston Davis, 742 W. 10th Street, Jacksonville, Florida

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

James Johnson, Field Worker
South Jacksonville, Florida
January 11, 1937

DOUGLAS DORSEY

In South Jacksonville, on the Spring Glen Road lives Douglas Dorsey, an ex-slave, born in Suwannee County, Florida in 1851, fourteen years prior to freedom.  His parents Charlie and Anna Dorsey were natives of Maryland and free people.  In those days, Dorsey relates there were people known as “Nigger Traders” who used any subterfuge to catch Negroes and sell them into slavery.  There was one Jeff Davis who was known as a professional “Nigger Trader,” his slave boat docked in the slip at Maryland and Jeff Davis and his henchmen went out looking for their victims.  Unfortunately, his mother Anna and his father were caught one night and were bound and gagged and taken to Jeff Davis’ boat which was waiting in the harbor, and there they were put into stocks.  The boat stayed in port until it was loaded with Negroes, then sailed for Florida where Davis disposed of his human cargo.

Douglas Dorsey’s parents were sold to Colonel Louis Matair, who had a large plantation that was cultivated by 85 slaves.  Colonel Matair’s house was of the pretentious southern colonial type which was quite prevalent during that period.  The colonel had won his title because of his participation in the Indian War in Florida.  He was the typical wealthy southern gentleman, and was very kind to his slaves.  His wife, however was just the opposite.  She was exceedingly mean and could easily be termed a tyrant.

There were several children in the Matair family and their home and plantation were located in Suwannee County, Florida.

Douglas’ parents were assigned to their tasks, his mother was house-maid and his father was the mechanic, having learned this trade in Maryland as a free man.  Charlie and Anna had several children and Douglas was among them.  When he became large enough he was kept in the Matair home to build fires, assist in serving meals and other chores.

Mrs. Matair being a very cruel woman, would whip the slaves herself for any misdemeanor.  Dorsey recalls an incident that is hard to obliterate from his mind, it is as follows:  Dorsey’s mother was called by Mrs. Matair, not hearing her, she continued with her duties, suddenly Mrs. Matair burst out in a frenzy of anger over the woman not answering.  Anna explained that she did not hear her call, thereupon Mrs. Matair seized a large butcher knife and struck at Anna, attempting to ward off the blow, Anna received a long gash on the arm that laid her up for for some time.  Young Douglas was a witness to this brutal treatment of his mother and he at that moment made up his mind to kill his mistress.  He intended to put strychnine that was used to kill rats into her coffee that he usually served her.  Fortunately freedom came and saved him of this act which would have resulted in his death.