James Turner Mclean

By Jacob Reed

Age at emancipation: 5
Place of interview: Lillington, North Carolina
State of interview: North Carolina
Place of enslavement (there may be more than one): Harnett County.
‘Occupation’: tending to calves, going post office
‘Occupation’ of father: Farmer
Size of slaveholding unit: Large
Name of enslaver(s): Taylor Hugh McLean
Name of plantation/farm: Unknown, but between Buises Creekand, and the Cape Fear river
Crop produced on slaveholding unit: Corn, Wheat
Name of interviewer: T. Pat Mathews
Is this included in Rawick’s supplement series?: no
Is there evidence of editing: Yes

James Turner Mclean, otherwise known as ‘Jim’ Mclean was born into slavery. He was born in Harnett County on a place owned by his enslaver,Taylor Hugh Mclean. Both the McLeans and the Boldens (who lived and owned his current place) came from Scotland. Hugh Mclean, according to James, had 500 acres for his plantation owning over 50 slaves of whom lived in quarters away from the main house in the Plantation. Comparing this to other plantations during that time, census data shows that this could be seen as a large plantation in terms of size. James Turner Mclean during his enslaved time did not work hard or a lot as he was only mainly going to the post office or tending to the cattle. This suggests that, unlike most young boys and men, James did not spend his working time in the fields ploughing or looking after crop. Instead he was given an easier job which did not require as much energy or effort as other jobs given to enslaved people would require. This was due to his ability to read and to write which was seen as skilled for enslaved people. In this account Hugh Mclean was an emotional and caring enslaver who had a certain care for all his enslaved people.

As this is an edited interview found in the records of the Library of Congress it could also suggest editing that presents the enslaver as a positive figure to protect the reputation both of the enslaver and the state. Some interviewers and editors of these interviews could have potentially tampered/altered the transcription of the interview for this purpose. T. Pat Mathews was one of the main interviewers in North Carolina area. From looking at other interviews that they conducted, it seems that it would have been taken place in 1937. There is no clear agenda, however some of the questions asked of the participants seem to follow the list of questions compiled by Lomax.

Another reason as to why this interview could be seen as an inaccurate representation of slavery and the treatment of enslaved people is due to the the impact of memory, and the worry of speaking ill of white people. They could be reluctant to speak about his enslavers in negative terms due to the proximity of former enslavers and their family.