Coldwell was what my masa granddaddy named my ancestors back befo’ black folk was free. My name Elizabeth Coldwell, that was of course befo I’s got married. Coldwell was masa’s granddaddy last name, his family was very wealthy because they owned themselves a big plantation up here in Philadelphia. I like my name if you ask me, but I like being free betta. My dear Nathan could not live to see us negro be liberated. Civil Rights passed 5 days ‘fo his death on that big ol’ boat. We was makin’ a propa livin with Mr. Coldwell, yep he treated us right, even bought me this big ol’ fancy hat, I told him I didn’t need it. Bought me this big coat too! Oh wee, sure do keep me warm. But my husband was here to keep me warm befo’, and that’s all I ever needed. I’ll never forget February 24, 1875, the day Nathan died. The SS Gothenberg sank off the east coast somewhere in a whole notha place called Australia. Whites and coloreds died, huh…I guess that was one of those rare times where they was all facing the same struggle at once. White folks didn’t never understand. Mr. Coldwell don’t understand how I feel bout losin my Nathan, why if he ever lost Miss Rachel, he wouldn’t just replace her and keep warm with a big fancy coat and a big ol’ hat. But most coloreds would strike me down for fixin’ my tongue that way, not bein’ grateful, oh but I surely am. I keep a smile on my face, or I try to. I keep my hair real nice too, just the way my Nathan liked it. Up and out my eyes so he could see them real pretty in the sun light. Yep, aint no man ever gone love me like my Nathan. Masa wanted me to take this one last picture fo’ em though, but I am alone. I’m alone in this picture just like I will be alone for the rest of my life. But Nathan wouldn’t want me thinkin’ like that, no Nathan would be callin’ me a foolish women for not being thankful fo’ all this. Fo’ bein’ free, fo’ the gifts, even for this picture. So I’m a smile real nice for you and make my eyes all pretty in the sunlight, just like my Nathan would want.
