John Perry, generally known as Pedro, recalled to an Appeal man, Saturday, the fact that twice in one day he was sold as a slave at Paris. John was 5 years old at that time. In the first auction, which was held in front of the court house, Tom Noonan bought him for $400. Later in the day Noonan sold him to the late Jeff Bridgford for $500. He remained with Mr. Bridgford until emancipation.

Asked how he got along after becoming his own master John said he didn’t fare so well. The first three years he worked as a farm hand, getting $40, a pair of boots and his board per year.

John’s mother was sold to Pryor Sanford, southwest of Paris, for $800. His father, sold to Phil Williams, just east of Paris, brought $1,500. He was permitted to spend every Saturday night and Sunday with his wife. The husband, says John cleared the timber from most of land in the north part of Paris and across the river, his master hiring him out for that purpose. Speaking of his treatment while in slaver, John said:

“Nobody could have asked for better treatment than we slaves got from Mr. and Mrs. Bridgford. At one time there were thirty of us. Mr. Bridgford once talked of trading me for 80 acres of land but Mrs. Bridgford wouldn’t hear of it. Yes, we sometimes were whipped and I guess we needed it. I know I never got a lick I didn’t deserve. One of these whippings broke me from lying. Mr. Bridgford left me in charge of his cattle while he was away for two days. The cattle were bawling when he got back. Old master asked me if I watered them. I said I had, though I hadn’t given them a drop of water. It didn’t fool Mr. Bridgford. There wasn’t any foolishness about the licking I got, either.”

John and his parents originally belonged to the Donaldsons, near Florida. When Mrs. Donaldson became a widow they were sold.

Asked if Aunt Seely Hinton was about his age, John said she was a grown girl going around to dances when he was a small boy. Aunt Seely now a widow contracted her last marriage after she was 80 years old.

Paris Appeal, unknown date