Fountain Hughes - Voices from the Days of Slavery 

I imagine Fountain Hughes would have been a great professor or teacher if he were allowed an education. Remarkable human being.

first 2 mins in this video, he's teaching the black man and woman about credit and to stay away from it all together. Powerful.

Oh ancestors we love you we will never forget you You will and strength were stronger Than the chains that bound you. I'm am proud be born from your stock! a black man! Ashe!!!!

The first thing he told us was to not get in debt......wise man

When he said his name “My name is Fountain Hughes” I heard that beautiful voice and bursted into tears. It was powerful, strong, painful, experienced, familiar, and captivating, just simply amazing. Extremely thankful for this upload. We hear actors replicate their voice but to hear an actual voice is so beautiful. Mr.Fountain lives a long life, over 100 years. My God I would love to just be in his presence, hear his stories and just stare at him. Beautiful spirit and interesting how his advice still applies to this very day!

I'm blessed to be born in the age of technology where I can hear my ancestor give his testimony of the ruthless bondage he endured, a true blessing

Words cant explain how hearing this from someone's mouth who went through it made me feel.

Fountain Hughes did not like debt.

they said that Hughes died in 1957, yes 1957, this took place in 1949, so there are Black people living today that knew people that was slaves and they were doing these interviews starting in the late 30's so the next time somebody tell you it happen a long time ago, let them know that they did interviews that are less than 100 years ago with living Slaves.

wish they would've keep the recorder on...I'd like to hear what he had to say about why he didn't do to church...I like listening to the old folk speak...it's more of a matter of fact over fiction for me

I love history, whoever recorded this was doing the world a service by preserving the voice and memories of Fountain Hughes.

My dear ancestors thank you for your strength I AM you . You are me ASE' ! Peace to all my beautiful black kings and queens .❤

This man lived to be over 100 years old. His great grand father lived 115 years. This shows you the power of our people

It's like listening to the voice of an angel........100 SALUTE

This man had mo real education...but he is very wise

When we get to paradise we going to meet all of them.

As I listen to this noble old elder tell his story. What stands out in my mind is not his clear presence of mind at 101 years old. It's not the fascination of hearing an enslaved person tell his story first hand. It's not the rare privilege of traversing back in time. As I listen to this Elder,I'm in awe at how ruthless and savage,how low and despicable,how hate worthy his en-slavers were and still are.

It was a pleasure to hear this great mans voice as he told of his life

This man lived the burden we as black people reference as the epitome of our degradation. Why is he so full of clarity, life and wisdom when so many of us are slaves to the vices of modern life ?

This brought me to tears. I have no idea what a *bad day* is.

What he said about credit is sooooo true! Don't spend money you don't have right then and there!

Amazing. What a man. What a life. Felt like I was I the room with him.

this is wonderful! my beautiful ancestors

THIS BROUGHT ME TO TEARS. THANKS FOR THE POSTING

Love this video and interview.. guy was sharp as a tack and spoke very very well.... I wish he was still around to teach this younger generation now....

I salute you, my Dear and loving King Brother of JUDAH. Looking forward to meeting you, someday in the Kingdom, of THE MOST HIGH GOD. There you will have a Mansion to live in forever. And you never have be hungry, or ever afraid again. 💜

"I'd take a gun and kill myself before I'd be a slave again. You're nothing but a dog" How this gentleman can say that without the sound of hate in his voice speaks volumes about his character. I hope when I get to heaven we can sit together and chat about how beautiful heaven is and glorify our Lord.

This was an absolute privilege to listen to this man. Thank you so much. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💖

i wonder where. this man is buried and id go pay my respects

MY God, my God!!! I LOVE this! *humbled and grateful*

God bless you Mr. Hughes. Your memories are a treasure to this generation. We thank you for sharing your experiences.

Wow... this is so amazing. Brought tears to my eyes, an ache in my heart but Thank G-d we have these recordings. Our beautiful African-American people speaking about such a terrible part of our history. Its amazing: having listened to so many of these recordings in these videos, I noticed that there is a distinct accent that seems apparent in all of the videos- its so beautiful. So well spoken and in such a sophisticated fashion. This is the first time I heard such recordings; I am blown away. Love our African-American brethren; they're an integral part of our country from the very beginning.

This is so wonderful hearing my ancestor voice this give me goosebumps.

Omg the strength...the heart of this man...in every single word he speaks I feel that love and that strength. Fountain Hughes....you are the hero to so many. You are definitely my hero. ❤

absolutely fantastic to hear RIP Uncle Fountain

What a man! Timeless! Priceless! Powerful! Eternal! And…..full of love!

love his voice, the rhythm, his powerful and profound words: it's hypnotic and you learn about humanity: its brutality and beauty (of his words)

Whilst I'm extremely grateful that these recordings were done, I wish the interviewer went deeper. It's all between the 17th and 18th minute, after reminding himself of the Yankees mistreatment, he starts to speak of the pain of how he was treated , then says he won't talk about it because it makes people sad. That was the que for the interviewer. So grateful this window to the past exists

WOW!!! I feel BLESS, im actually listen to the voice of a ANGEL.

If I could I would buy headstones for all our ancestors that past away on all these plantations they deserve that respect

I've got to say within two and a half minutes into this conversation that this man has already established his own personal wisdom in that you should not make purchases on what you can't afford in the moment. my own elder relatives have impressed this conservative idea upon me as well. no greater feeling than knowing you don't owe a debt.

i knew a old man who was born in 1914 he was the last of the cattle punchers & he had money but very rarely spent any of it , i grew up with his granddaughter he would have us girls follow him around & show us how to plant tater sprouts, butcher hogs, cattle smoke our meat & showed us how to live off the land ..... I loved that man like he was my own grandfather & his wife was the same way they had 5 children & too many grandchildren to count... One day i was sitting on the couch in their front room & there was a picture oval shape on his floor model tv & i ask him who those ppl were in the photo he said they were his grandparents his grandfather died at the age of 120 & his grandma at 118. these were ppl who didnt waste nothing & lived off the land chewed tobacco half irish half indian...

This is so amazing brought tears to my soul.

poor old man, he sounds a nice old man.god bless him, rip fountain

I have been playing Fountain Hughes' audio to my classes for years. If you think this is good, go to the Library of Congress' WPA recordings of many more former slaves. It is so amazing to actually HEAR former slaves talk about their lives.From a historical and humanity perspective, it is so rich. From a linguistic point of view, it is fascinating, too.

What knowledge this man has. It's the reason I hate Rent A Centers and Pawn shop. It just keeps people down

I wish he could've sung the hymns. But I'm so glad we're able to hear his voice. ♡

I wish we would have had the recording of his answers regarding not going to church I was so engaged love this thank you for sharing

saying his name, Fountain Hughes and keep his memory alive. Thank you Mr. Hughes.

How profound is that? What a remarkable human being

May his soul forever SIP! My eyes are filled with tears.

This is AMAZING,thank you soo much for posting this.This is indeed priceless information. Much obliged to you.

What a gift to listen to this blessed man; every elementary student ought to hear these voices.

Ty for sharing this. RIP Mr Hughes. I wish I could’ve known you.

If this man s voice and spirit does not send chills up and down your spine your not human

Thank you brother Hughes for that beautiful narrative! This man had 4 years of true freedom during reconstruction 1863 to 1877, I would put his age at about 15 yo. the year Garfield was assassinated was 1881, when you came to Baltimore.

May God rest your soul Brother Hughes

We are living in the year of 2016 brother and we are going throw the same treatment God Bless Your Soul for being a soldier doing those times.

Blessings and Love! Im a try my best to remember these words and do that SIR! LOVE BLESSINGS FOREVER

Fountain Hughes is a very smart man with alot of common sense...

U think he would say the same things? I don't think so. African Americans are a beautiful group of people, but we all have bad apples. I could sit down a listen to this man all day. If I could go back in time I would give my life for this man and is family. I'm a white man by the way.

This guy was born before and died long after Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. He could have had a conversation with Karl Marx while he was writing Das Kapital. He lived to see the US population grow from 23 million (1840) to 161 million (1950). He grew up during the civil war and died during the Vietnam war.

I'm just so sad 😭 to hear him speak. Good God

From Africa to all over the world Bless you Ancestors and may the most High keep you, you served your time and because the fight is not over it is now our time to serve. Much love to all my black people, much love.

Fountain Hughes gave some very good advice about money from the time he knew about credit and how to spend, and the difference between want and need. My great-grandmother told me that her mother was a slave when I was seven back in the '60s, I just wish I was a bit older to have asked her more questions about it, but hearing it come from Mr. Hughes answered the questions I wanted to ask my great-grandmother. I'm grateful for that.

Yes Fountain Hughes we love you and your people honor you. RIH my ancestor. Its so very much I've learned from you.

Awwwe. I would to know why he didnt go to church. I needed to hear this. So sweet.

This makes me sad..

Thank you for uploading this! What a gem!

God bless him advising us how to survive in this 🌎

The wisdom from this man simply amazing.

Remarkable document. Thanks for posting.

Wisdom over book smarts all day long. Very interesting Gentleman, RIP Fountain

Fountain Hughes is my advisor.

I'm fifty years old this year and my Dad met former slaves when he was a kid. He told me about going with his grandma to visit friends of hers who had been born in slavery. One was 21 years old when the civil war ended . She remembered slavery very well. Another was 16 when she was freed in 1865. Dad was born in 1928 and he'd have been around 10 yrs old when he met these ladies so they'd have been pretty old . But it goes to show this wasn't that long ago.

rest in peace sir.

Fascinating! Over 100 and still so full of life!

It's so sad to me how much our ancestors went through on a daily basis and the things we take for granted. Smh I don't see how anybody can say we need to forget the past. HOW HOW can we it's apart of us. I want my children to know what happened so they will always try to become better then what a white man thinks of them. Even in this interview he asked who did you work for. YOU MEAN WHEN I WAS A SLAVE I WAS OWNED.... His words.

Fountain Hughes was a very intelligent man. This brought me tears to hear how he was treated. He really gave some good advice about going into debt.

This is history that should never be forgotten or repeated.

Thank you

You are a brave great man

Thank you for your sacrifice

Wow there is a lot of hate in these comments.

Mr Hughes knew financial discipline 150 years ago...wow😀😀listen to your ancestors they are speaking to you💛💜💙💚💖💥Ase Dua My Akhu...Nebercher bless your beautiful Ka👌👌

Very interesting! Loved it! Thanks again & again

Thank you for posting this. All I have to say.

This is amazing!

So impressive , such an intelligent and well spoken man.

You can hear and feel the pain in his voice when he describes slavery and being owned by another human being. And after Emancipation, just being turned loose like cattle, with no property, money or anywhere to go.

Who feels it know its all and he feels it and he knows it

I appreciate his Truths. Wisdom!!!

Fountain Hughes was a great man!

If they went thru all of that to still find ways to leave us messages and clues to help us it is our job to make sure our kids and whoever is strong enough mind body and soul so we never have to go oppression again ❗️

Thanks my Brother

This is remarkable!!!

Deuteronomy 28 explains how we got into this situation but 2019 ends are captivity soon after TMH is going to redeem us and save us from our enemies as written in the bible. Shalom Israel

How I wish I could’ve heard him sing 🎶

I’m White, and I think Red, Yellow, Black, and White people could learn a thing or ten from this guy.

I am not even from the USA. But I wish I could say to him as a human being: "Please, forgive us"