MY LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
MY LIFE IN THE SOUTH.
BY
JACOB STROYER.
NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.
SALEM, MASS.:
Newcomb & Gauss, Printers.
1898.
Salem, Mass.,September 19, 1898.
Mr. Stroyer's account of his experience in slavery and during the war isof great interest and value as a trustworthy description of thecondition and life of slaves by one of themselves. His memory isremarkably keen and his narrative vivid and at times both touching andthrilling. The book is a great credit to its author and deserves agenerous reception and a wide circulation.
John Wright Buckham.August 13, 1879.
In this book Mr. Stroyer has given us, with a most simple and effectiverealism, the inside view of the institution of slavery. It is worthreading, to know how men, intelligent enough to report their experience,felt under the yoke. The time has come when American slavery can bestudied historically, without passion, save such as mixes itself withthe wonder that so great an evil could exist so long as a social form ora political idol. The time has not come when such study is unnecessary;for to deal justly by white or black in the United States, theirprevious relations must be understood, and nothing which casts light onthe most universal and practical of those relations is without valuetoday. I take pleasure, therefore, in saying that I consider Mr. Stroyera competent and trustworthy witness to these details of plantation life.
E.C. Bolles.City of Salem, Mayor's Office,
Nov. 5, 1884.
This is to certify that since the year 1876 I have known Rev. JacobStroyer as a preacher and minister to the colored people of this city.He is earnest, devoted and faithful.
He is endeavoring by the sale of this book to realize the means toenable him, by a course of study, to better fit himself as a minister topreach in the South.
I most cheerfully commend him in his praiseworthy efforts.
Wm. M. Hill, Mayor.
Mr. Stroyer's book is a setting forth in a fresh and unique manner ofthe old and bitter wrongs of American slavery. It is an inside view of aphase of our national life which has happily passed away forever.Although it concerns itself largely with incidents and details, it isnot without the historical value which attaches to reliable personalreminiscences. The author has made commendable progress in intellectualculture, and is worthy of generous assistance in his effort to fithimself still more perfectly for labor among h