Sept. 26th 1923

(Life Records)

(Prose and Poems)

(Elizabeth Johnson Harris)

(Part 1st)

"My Childhood Days with my Grandparents"

I was born at Augusta Ga. December 16th 1867. At the old home formerly owned by Dr. Pauline on the South Side of the Wrightsboro Road, near the Monte Sano Heights

I am the only Daughter of Issiac and Martha Johnson, in the midst of four brothers. Three older than myself and one younger.

My Grandmother took me from my mother when I was eleven months old, therefore I was raised up alone by very precise rules. I was allowed to play around the home with a few of the children that were members of families well known to my Parents. That is after I was large enough to decide or realize a little pleasure with children like myself. During my infancy, my mother lived in the lower section of the city, while I was at home on the "Little Hill" by which it was called in those days and for a long time also unincorporated, and during this time for several months my Grandmother would take me to my mother twice a week. For nourishment from the breast - while at other times I was fed with suitable nourishments

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for a baby. My Grandmother, Louisa Crawford Stewart, and my Step Grandfather, Peter Stewart, were once slaves, also my mother and father. My mother and Grandmother were owned by the Coleman-Warren Family. My step-Grandfather was owned by the Wilkinson-Bones family - and I do not remember the names of the owners of my Father - I only heard of them speak of these names in my Childhood Days.

As I was the only grandaughter of the family at this time and through out, it seemed that I was a real favourite with one and all, and almost an idol in the entire family. And at this time of my early age there was only one brother. The two eldest had died before my coming. Then when I was near eight years old there came another little brother, which placed me in the center of the trio. And at this writing there are only two. The only sister, Elizabeth, and the youngest brother, Thomas Dent.

I can well remember how well I was cared for and dearly carressed. But never indulged. By the old folks, They were more generally affectionate, kind, attentive in every respect. It seemed that I was the star of the home, a fire-side pet. A joy.

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A comfort and joy in their lives - yet they were precise and positive in almost every way, therefore their affection, kindness, and interest were not shown in a way to spoil me at the present time or either in years to come. Their attention to me was for my support and comfort thro - life. While their precise rules with me, and their ways before me, were for my - our - good and benefit then and thereafter.

Mamma and Papa would often come to see me, and bring me nice little things, of various sorts. They would often ask if I wanted to go to their home and live with them where I would see more pretty and livlier things in the City. but no - I was always proud to see them come and hated to see them go, But I had grown so attached and devoted to the older folks, that there was nothing to attract my attention from them, and the simple yet comfortable little home.

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