Hired Out

America Murphy was a slave as was her bi-racial mother. They were owned by her father, Jeremiah, who operated a livery stable in mid-nineteenth century Lexington, Kentucky. Working from Jeremiah's three room dwelling, America assisted her mother as laundress for her father's clients.

America wished to read to enhance her status as a respected black servant, wondering how anyone could gain information by looking at a piece of paper. Nevertheless, with the help of Uncle Eli, she suggested that...