The time and place of my marriage, I consider one of the most trying of my life.  I was opposed by friends and foes; my mother opposed me because she thought I was too young, and marrying she thought would involve me in trouble and difficulty.  My mother-in-law opposed me, because she wanted her daughter to marry a slave who belonged to a very rich man living near by, and who was well known to be the son of his master.  She thought no doubt that his master or father might chance to set him free before he died, which would enable him to do a better part by her daughter than I could! and there was no prospect then of my ever being free.  But his master has neither died nor yet set his son free, who is now about forty years of age, toiling under the lash, waiting and hoping that his master may die and will him to be free.

The young men were opposed to our marriage for the same reason that Paddy opposed a match when the clergyman was about to pronounce the marriage ceremony of a young couple.  He said “if there be any present who have any objections to this couple being joined together in holy wedlock, let them speak now, or hold their peace henceforth.”  At this time Paddy sprang to his feet and said, “Sir, I object to this.”  Every eye was fixed upon him.  “What is your objection?” said the clergyman.  “Faith,” replied Paddy, “Sir I want her myself.”

The man to whom I belonged was opposed, because he feared my taking off from his farm some of the fruits of my own labor for Malinda to eat, in the shape of pigs, chickens, or turkeys, and would count it not robbery.  So we formed a resolution, that if we were prevented from joining in wedlock, that we would run away, and strike for Canada, let the consequences be what they might.  But we had one consolation; Malinda’s master was very much in favor of the match, but entirely upon selfish principles.  When I went to ask his permission to marry Malinda, his answer was in the affirmative with but one condition which I consider to be too vulgar to be written in this book.  Our marriage took place one night during the Christmas holydays; at which time we had quite a festival given us.  All appeared to be wide awake, and we had quite a jolly time at my wedding party.  And notwithstanding our marriage was without license or sanction of law, we believed it to be honorable before God, and the bed undefiled.  Our Christmas holydays were spent in matrimonial visiting among our friends, while it should have been spent in running away to Canada, for our liberty.  But freedom was little thought of by us, for several months after marriage.  I often look back to that period even now as one of the most happy seasons of my life; notwithstanding all the contaminating and heart-rendering features with which the horrid system of slavery is marked, and must carry with it to its final grave, yet I still look back to that season with sweet remembrance and pleasure, that yet hath power to charm and drive back dull cares which have been accumulated by a thousand painful recollections of slavery.  Malinda was to me an affectionate wife.  She was with me in the darkest hours of adversity.  She was with me in sorrow, and joy, in fasting and feasting, in trial and persecution, in sickness and health, in sunshine and in shade.