Louis Hughes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Hughes
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| Born | c. 1832 |
| Died | 1913 |
| Spouse | Matilda Hughes |
Louis Hughes (born around 1832, died 1913) was an African-American man. He was born into slavery in Virginia. He later wrote an important book about his life. This book, called Thirty Years a Slave, tells his story. It is a memoir, which means it's a true story written by the person who lived it.
Contents
Who Was Louis Hughes?
Louis Hughes was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, around 1832. His mother was an African-American slave. His father was a Euro-American plantation owner. Louis was enslaved for more than thirty years. He spent most of this time in Tennessee.
Learning in Secret
While enslaved, Louis secretly learned to read and write. This was very brave, as it was often forbidden. After the Civil War ended, he gained his freedom. Thirty-three years later, in 1897, he published his book. Thirty Years a Slave helps us understand what slavery was like. It is especially important for learning about slavery in western Tennessee.
Louis Hughes's Early Life
When Louis Hughes was six years old, he was separated from his mother. He was sold at a Virginia slave market. In 1844, a rich man named Edward McGee bought him. McGee was a planter from Mississippi. He bought Louis as a Christmas gift for his wife. Louis stayed with the McGee family for twenty years.
Life with the McGee Family
As a young boy, Louis worked as an errand boy. Later, in 1850, he became the family's butler. This happened when they built a new home near Memphis. Even though Louis did not work in the fields, his life was still very hard. He faced difficult times with Madam McGee, Edward's wife. Louis remembered being whipped "just to please my mistress' fancy."
Louis and his wife, Matilda, had twin girls while enslaved. Sadly, these children died. Louis believed their deaths were due to the harsh conditions they lived in. Matilda wanted to sell her babies to new enslavers. She hoped they would have a better chance to survive. However, Edward and Madam McGee would not allow it. Matilda also struggled to feed her children. This was because of the cruel treatment she received from Madam McGee.
Attempts to Escape
Louis tried to escape slavery three times. Each time, he was caught and severely beaten. He said the scars from these beatings stayed with him. They affected both his body and his spirit. His fifth attempt to escape was successful. This happened in June 1865. This was the same month the Confederacy surrendered in his state.
Life After Slavery
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After gaining freedom, Louis settled in Milwaukee. His wife, Matilda, escaped with him. She had been the cook in the McGee household. In Milwaukee, they started a successful laundry business together. Louis had learned some medical skills while enslaved. He used this knowledge to work as a nurse.
His Published Book
In 1897, Louis Hughes's autobiography was published. This book became a very important record. It shared a slave's own experiences and perspective. By 1905, he was working as a janitor. Louis and Matilda had four more children after they became free. They had three girls and one boy.
Louis Hughes passed away in Milwaukee in 1913. He is buried at Forest Home Cemetery. His wife, Matilda, is buried next to him. Louis's original house in Milwaukee was still standing in 2020. However, it was unmarked and in poor condition.
