Born to Slavery: Crossed over to Freedom

By Jennifer James Lewis

When Sarah, a slave woman, realizes she’s pregnant after being raped by the plantation owner, Master Jones, her dream is that one day her child will be free. Sarah dies after giving birth and the baby Promise is raised by the kind Virginia, wife of Master Jones. Even though he’s a pastor, he’s a womanizer, and a heavy drinker, and he continues to heap misery upon his family.

But Promise has a special destiny. She’s been chosen by God to heal and set the captives free. With strong faith in God and courage, she accepts the assignment of preaching the gospel of Jesus, and she risks her life for others. Promise who falls in love with Joseph Jr marries the master son. Joseph Jr and they both continue to stay on the assignment. They are both being used by God to preach the Gospel. Master Jones realizes the wrong that he has caused through forgiveness of himself and his son Joseph Jr, and daughter. Master Jones is restored to his family and finds peace in his life.

Born to Slavery, a religious fiction novel, follows the story of Promise’s life and how she used her faith in God to make the world a better place.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664212091

Jennifer James Lewis

Jennifer James Lewis is a minister who has been preaching the word of God for more than ten years and has also worked in the early childhood field for more than twenty years. A wife and foster mother, Lewis enjoys reading, writing, and fishing.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Promise, from New Orleans, was born into slavery. This is her story.

She was lying in bed with her grandchildren, daughters, and son. Her daughters, Serenity and Rachel, were holding her hands. Her granddaughter, Prayer, and her son, David Jr., were on her left.

Serenity hugged her and said, I love you, Mommy. You and Daddy gave our family such a good life.

Promise sat up and looked at everyone around the bed. God has been so good to me. He allowed me to be free. My mommy’s desire was to see me free. If only Joseph could have lived to see all of you children.

She had tears in her eyes. She told Prayer, Give me Joseph’s picture.

His picture was on the dresser. Prayer handed the picture to Promise, who held it close to her heart. Promise said, I love this man. He had the heart to do the Lord’s work. I loved him very much. I want to tell you the story of how God freed me and how I loved your father. The story starts off with your great-grandmother Sarah. Charles, her husband, did work in the house. He was a light-skinned man, and he loved Sarah. Here’s my story.

Chapter

1

T he master was John Winston, and his wife was Virginia, who was three months pregnant and had been married for only a year when John was killed in a wagon accident. Virginia had the baby, Joseph, but she had a hard time giving birth to him. The doctor told her that if she got pregnant again, it would kill her.

Virginia remarried a year later to Master Avery Jones, who raised Joseph like his own. Virginia loved children and was always so kind to them. It did not matter if they were black—she loved on all the children. A lot of what she did was in private. The law could kill you if they knew you were showing kindness to blacks.

The master had a big house, many businesses, and a cotton field, and he ran Friendship Baptist Church. Virginia taught my mother, Sarah, to read the Bible, and she also taught Charles how to read. She was nothing like Master Jones, who was always drinking and yelling at her; he called her names that made her cry. Virginia loved her husband and always prayed for him. At church, he would preach the Bible.

Sarah was a beautiful woman with long black hair, light skin, and green eyes. She could pass as a white woman, but she was black. She had a beautiful voice and would sing when she could, mostly around her house. Her favorite song was Wade in the Water. She loved reading the Bible.

At night before going to sleep, Sarah and Charles would pray before bed. Sarah said that prayer was very important.

Charles would help Master Jones in the house. My mother and her sister, Mary, worked very hard in the house. Sarah’s dream was to have children. They would try, but Sarah never got pregnant. However, she never gave up. She said to Charles in the cabin once, I will have a child one day.

The master would bring Sarah and Charles to church, and they loved that. They would sit up front and assist the people in church. Virginia would come down where the slaves were and would read the Bible. The master stayed in the house. Virginia would talk about Jesus Christ to the slaves, and some slaves would shout and even be baptized. She was a good woman, but the master was mean to her. There were rumors that he ran around with other women, but Virginia was loyal to Master Jones and stood by his side.

At church, Sarah would see the master looking at her, so one day, Sarah asked, Master, do you need something?

Master said, You look nice. He winked at Sarah, who later told Charles, Master was looking at me funny.

How did he look at you? he asked.

He winked at me.

Be careful, he said and took her hand.

I will.

One day, Virginia was gone for the day and Sarah was cleaning the den. Master came in with a bottle in his hand. She asked him, Are you okay?

Master tried to kiss her. Sarah ran from him toward the door, but it was closed. Master Jones threw her on the couch. As Sarah got up, he pushed her to the floor and ripped her dress. Sarah screamed, but Master Jones raped her. When Master Jones was done, he pulled up his pants and walked out of the den. Mary came into the room. She saw him leave the room as Sarah lay on the floor crying. Mary helped Sarah back to her cabin. Charles was there cooking, and when he saw Sarah, he asked, What happened?

Master had his way with me! she cried out.

I heard a lot of noise and screams, Mary said.

I’ll hurt him! Charles said.

Mary grabbed Charles. No! Don’t! I know you’re upset, but you’ll get yourself killed. Plus, Sarah needs you.

Charles hugged Sarah and helped her get into bed.

After that incident, Sarah became jumpy. The master would get drunk and wait for Virginia to leave the house. Then he would call for Sarah, throw her on the floor, and rape her. After a few months, Sarah found herself throwing up in the morning. She found out she was pregnant.

Sarah told Charles, I’m with child.

Charles looked at Sarah