Samuel Sutton

Samuel Sutton was very young when the Civil War was fought, however he has some recollection and remembers life directly after.  Here he describes his right to vote and why he votes the way he does.
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Excerpt:

I’ve seen two presidents, Grant and Hayes. I voted for Hayes when I was 22 years old. General Grant was running against Greeley when I heard him speak in Louisville.  He told what all Lincoln had done for the colored man. Yes ma’am, fine looking man he was, and he wore a fine suit. Yes ma’am. I haven’t missed an election since I was 22 and voted for Hayes. I’m not going to miss any, and I vote like the white man read out of the Emancipation Proclamation. I vote for one of Abe Lincoln’s men every time , I sure do. 


Interviewee 
Formerly enslaved person
Birth Year (Age)Interviewer
WPA Volunteer
Enslaver’s Name
Samuel Sutton1854Miriam LoganBallinger
Interview LocationResidence StateBirth Location
Lebanon, OHOhioGarrett, KY
Themes & KeywordsAdditional Tags:
Voting, 15th Amendment,First person, Union troops,

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