Not only was Mr. Henderson cruel but it seemed that every one he hired in the capacity of overseer was just as cruel.  For instance, Mrs. Henderson’s grandmother Sylvia, was told to take her clothes off when she reached the end of a row.  She was to be whipped because she had not completed the required amount of hoeing for the day.  Grandmother continued hoeing until she came to a fence; as the overseer reached out to grab her she snatched a fence railing and broke it across his arms.  On another occasion grandmother Sylvia ran all the way to town to tell the master that an overseer was beating her husband to death.  The master immediately jumped on his horse and started for home; and reaching the plantation he ordered the overseer to stop whipping the old man.  Mrs. Avery received one whipping, with a hair brush, for disobedience; this was given to her by the mistress.

Slaves were given separate churches, but the minister, who conducted the services, was white.  Very seldom did the text vary from the usual one of obedience to the master and mistress, and the necessity for good behavior.  Every one was required to attend church, however, the only self expression they could indulge in without conflict with the master was that of singing.  Any one heard praying was given a good whipping; for most masters thought their prayers no good since freedom was the uppermost thought in every one’s head.

On the Heard plantation as on a number of others, marriages were made by the masters of the parties concerned.  Marriage licenses were unheard of.  If both masters mutually consented, the marriage ceremony was considered over with.  After that the husband was given a pass to visit his wife once a week.  In the event children were born the naming of them was left entirely to the master.  Parents were not allowed to name them.

Health of slaves was very important to every slave owner for loss of life meant loss of money to them.  Consequently they would call in their family doctor, if a slave became seriously ill.  In minor cases of illness home remedies were used.  “In fact,” Mrs. Avery smilingly remarked, “We used every thing for medicine that grew in the ground.”  One particular home remedy was known as “Cow foot oil” which was made by boiling cow’s feet in water.  Other medicines used were hoarhound tea, catnip tea, and castor oil.  Very often medicines and doctors failed to save life; and whenever a slave died he was buried the same day.  Mrs. Avery remarked, “If he died before dinner the funeral and burial usually took place immediately after dinner.”

Although a very young child, Mrs. Avery remembers the frantic attempt slave owners made to hide their money when the war broke out.  The following is a story related concerning the Heard family.  “Mr. Heard, our master, went to the swamp, dug a hole, and hid his money, then he and his wife left for town on their horses.  My oldest brother, Percy, saw their hiding place; and when the Yanks came looking