Two Presidents had been slaves, did you know that?

[hasset]

The indentured servant was one kind of slavery that was bound by a contract to work for a master until a certain amount of time or money was paid off.
Two of our presidents had been this kind of slave: Millard Fillmore and Andrew Johnson.

Johnson, was indentured to a tailor but he ran away. The tailor took out an ad in the Raleigh, N. Carolina Gazette offering a $10 reward to get him back. No one answered the ad. Fillmore, was indentured to a clothmaker. He served his time and then paid $30 for his freedom.

[colonelbuckrobely]

Very interesting information. Thanks for posting it.

[hasset]

I had ancestors who were indentured servants back in the early 1700s. I wonder if I can sue for reparations.

[jesusfreak]

One thing I have to ask anyone that thinks they should have reparations...will it solve anything and how will it make up for what happened to YOU.

[hasset]

My ancestors got out of their servitude by skipping town and going west. They owed something like $250 to someone. It was probably an easy way to get out of the debt of having had your passage paid so you could come to this country.

Someone sent me a list of things to think about today. Since we are on the subject of slaves, reparation, etc., it would be nice to read this list with emphasis on numbers 1, 3., 6, 11, 13, 25, 26, 28, and some others.

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer , Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch .

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree .

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate,   resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others.   You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret,   you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath . It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful,   beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
 
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words   'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."