On the day of baptism, the candidates were attired in long white flowing robes, which had been made by one of the slaves.  Amidst singing and praises they marched, being flanked on each side by other believers, to a pond or lake on the plantation and after the usual ceremony they were “ducked” into the water.  This was a day of much shouting and praying.

Education.  The two “missy” girls of the Randolph family were dutiful each Sunday morning to teach the slaves their catechism or Sunday School lesson.  Aside from this there was no other training.

The War and Freedom.  Mr. Napoleon relates that the doctor’s two oldest sons went to the war with the Confederate army, also the white “driver,” Barton.  His place was filled by one of the slaves, named Peter Parker.

At the closing of the war, word was sent around among the slaves that if they heard the report of a gun, it was the Yankees and that they were free.

It was in May, in the middle of the day, cotton and corn being planted, plowing going on, and slaves busily engaged in their usual activities, when suddenly the loud report of a gun resounded, then could be heard the slaves crying almost en-masse, “dems de Yankees.”  Straightway they dropped the plows, hoes and other farm implements and hurried to their cabins.  They put on their best clothes “to go see the Yankees.”  Through the countryside to the town of Tallahassee they went.  The roads were quickly filled with these happy souls.  The streets of Tallahassee were clustered with these jubilant people going here and there to get a glimpse of the Yankees, their liberators.  Napoleon says it was a joyous and un-forgetable occasion.

When the Randolph slaves returned to their plantation, Dr. Randolph told them that they were free, and if they wanted to go away, they could, and if not, they could remain with him and he would give them half of what was raised on the farms.  Some of them left, however, some remained, having no place to go, they decided it was best to remain until the crops came off, thus earning enough to help them in their new venture in home seeking.  Those slaves who were too old and not physically able to work, remained on the plantation and were cared for by Dr. Randolph until their death.

Napoleon’s father, Scipio, got a transfer from the government to his former master, Colonel Sammis of Arlington, and there he lived for awhile.  He soon got employment with a Mr. Hatee of the town and after earning enough money, bought a tract of land from him there and farmed.  There his family lived and increased.  Louis being the oldest of the children obtained odd jobs with the various settlers, among them being Governor Reid of Florida who lived in South Jacksonville.  Governor Reid raised cattle for market and Napoleon’s job was to bring them across the Saint Johns River on a litter to Jacksonville, where they were sold.[HW:?]