by Anne Brown

Created on: April 26, 2009

Chapter Two

Jasper County, Georgia-1837

Among the families living in Jasper County, the Tuggles and Jeffries tended to be close knit. While they associated with other people at church, dances and community events, most of their time was spent together. By 1835, all of Robert and Betsy's ten children had married with the exception of the three youngest, William J., Frances, and Rebecca.

In December of 1835 Robert Tuggle died at the age of sixty-five. Two of his sons, Lee and Thomas were administrators of Robert's estate. Even though their mother was still living, William L, twenty, Frances, seventeen and Rebecca, eleven, were under the age of twenty-one and were considered by the courts to be the orphans of Robert Tuggle. In his will, he had appointed his and Betsy's son, Thomas, as their guardian. Two years later, William had reached the age of consent and Frances had married, so Thomas approached his mother about making some changes.

"Mother, I see no need for Rebecca to remain under my guardianship any longer. With your consent, I'm going to petition the courts and asked to be released of this responsibility. Her welfare would then be completely in your care."

"Thomas dear, you know I have no problem with that. You have your own family to care for and being Rebecca's guardian is just one more thing to take up your time. I'll agree to anything you think is best," Betsy told him

"Thank you Mother. I'll see to it right away." Bending over to where his mother was sitting in her chair, Thomas kissed her on the cheek and left saying, "I'll let you know when all is settled."

As Betsy watched her son walk away, she was relieved he'd made this decision about the guardianship of his sister. He was her son and she loved him, but he scared her. He was a man who had meanness in him and was now married to his third wife. The first two had left after his unbearably cruel treatment. Betsy couldn't help but remember the day he'd beaten that poor slave boy, Jerry to death. No one in their family had ever mistreated their slaves or anyone else's. She was sick when she'd heard how he'd knocked the boy down and hit him with switches and had kicked the poor young man. Then while holding a stone in his hand Thomas had hit Jerry hard enough to take his life. The attack was reported to have continued for a long while and afterwards Thomas was brought to trial for murder. After being found guilty, his only punishment was to be fined five hundred dollars, the value of the slave. Betsy was

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