RACES: Slave Pensions

In Newark, N. J. one day last week a wrinkled old Negro with a fuzzy grey head sat on an ash can on Market Street, his bushy grey beard on his chest, one leathery hand extended for alms. Arrested, he was taken to the station house. The desk sergeant began the routine of booking him. Name? John Torthi. Birthplace? Lynchburg, Va. Date? June 4, 1824. The desk sergeant looked up astonished. Was this old fellow 107 years old? The Negro nodded his head, explained that he had been a slave nearly 40 years...