The Slave Narrative of Henry Probasco
Henry Probasco was born on “Massa” Andrew McGowen’s Plantation around 1858. This plantation was located in Walker County, near Huntsville, Texas. Henry represented one of 50 enslaved people who lived with Mr. McGowen. All of Probasco’s parents, family, and grandparents lived on the plantation together. All of Henry’s family members were skilled workers on this plantation, including carpentry (his grandpa), nursing (his grandma), shoemaking, and cooking (his parents). Henry said in his childhood on the plantation he lived on, even the plows were made there by a blacksmith and his grandpa, and they were mostly made of wood. Their daily lives included cotton, corn, and livestock. Enslaved people lived in log cabins; they were simple but adequate, Henry said. He got so used to sleeping on straw beds that the first time he slept on a spring bed, he was awake all night long. [1]
When emancipation came, Andrew informed the enslaved people that they were free and could either leave or stay to work for wages or under sharecropping arrangements. Many of the enslaved people left, but Henry's family stayed for about a year, until his father moved to Waco to open a shoe shop. Henry moved with his family to Waco and lived with them until 1875, when he was 17. At this time, Henry left home and became a stock hand on Judge Weakly’s ranch in Ellis County. As a teenager, Henry became a skilled cattle rider and enjoyed the ranch life, saying he preferred cattle ranching. Henry recalls the social life among cowboys, including going into town to engage in mischief with other cattle ranchers and just having fun together. He talks about “kangaroo courts” in which he and his friends would crack jokes, accuse one another of minor crimes, and then dole out minor punishments. After his time at Judge Weakly’s ranch, Henry moves to Fort Worth to work at a place called Oak Grove. He then headed to Mule's Foot and worked for a man named T.D. Myers for about five years, farming on the plains. [2]
Henry was married many times in his life. His first marriage was at 24 to a woman named Bertha Ellers. Henry and Bertha lived together for 20 years, married, until they separated. Henry and Berth had 11 children during this time. A couple of years down the road, Henry moves again and meets another woman. He marries this woman pretty quickly, and their marriage ends shortly after. After another two years, Henry married Mary Little. Henry and Mary lived together for two years, and in Probisco’s own words, their union was two years too many. Henry concluded that he had finished with the marriage business after separating from Mary. [3]
Henry spent his later life alone, picking up jobs wherever he could find them. Henry had an $8.00-per-month pension. Henry spent his remaining years living in Fort Worth and maintained that he was happy with his independence and freedom from responsibility.
Images
