There were not many blacks living in south Madison County around Malesus. A large community lived in northwest Madison County around Denmark, and Jackson had a large community of Blacks. But there were enough to get acquainted with them and to enjoy their help at times with farm and home tasks. Four families were part of the family story from an early time. The family of Nelly Jones lived the closest to us, along Highway 45 near the Creek, where they owned a house and lot.
Nelly Jones and one or more of her family could be counted on to help the family at the time of the birth of a new child, at hog killing time with all the work making lard and sausage and in other times of special need. Since neither family had much cash, often the pay was in products from the farm, such as fresh meat, molasses, garden produce, or corn and hay for their livestock. They usually kept chickens, pigs, and a cow and a mule. Nelly raised her family on that place and later sold it to a white neighbor for a residence.
The Manning family lived on a place they owned which came from the Charles Hammond farm after Charles' untimely death in 1891. They had worked with the Hammonds and one son of their family was accused of being involved in the death of Mr. Hammond. ``Fat Sam'' Manning knew how to cook off sorghum molasses and helped the family many years in the Fall making sorghum.
Another family that helped with sorghum making and other jobs was Ross Graves. One story told about them is that one of his teenage sons was working around the sorghum press mill with the tongue the horses pulled around and around the wagon on which the press set to squeeze the juice from the cane. When the son wasn't watching, the tongue came around and got his head caught between the top of a wagon wheel and the low slung tongue. Instead of crushing his skull though, the head was hard enough to ``stall the team.'' Hurt, yes; but not critically. ``That boy stalled the team.'' What could have been a tragedy became a family joke that Ross Graves enjoyed telling.
Another family with children who worked and played among us was Mr. John Carter's, who lived many years on the Key dairy farm. The father, John Carter, a trusted neighbor and a faithful competent worker, had lost the vision of one eye and this notable handicap was easily observed. Two of their sons, Herschell and Buster Carter, were long time playmates and were excellent athletes. Hershell married Alberta Carter and raised a family near Malesus where Alberta still lives. Alberta has continued to work for members of our family from time to time, especially Herman and Lynn Watlington.