Early 1861: Putnam Co, Tennessee:

This morning I awoke to a soft snow falling.  The Mountains here in 
Cookeville are so beautiful when the snow is upon them.  I wish the 
events that are now brewing around the country could be as peaceful 
as the Mountains are right now.  I know that there is much talk around 
about the issue of Slavery and each States right to govern themselves 
as they choose.  I have heard my husband Enoch discussing such matter 
with members of the family and our neighbors.  Our Governor of the State, 
Isham Harris, had in January, sent a letter to the Tennessee Assembly, 
Senate and House of Representative on this very subject of States 
governing themselves and the Slavery issue.  What has become of this I 
do not know.   I have heard talk of War, that the Southern States will 
not bow to the wishes of the new President in Washington, Abraham Lincoln.  
My husband does not talk of this much with me, except to say that he sees 
many changes for this country of ours and that the way of life as we know 
it may change.  

Our farm is a rather modest one compared to my father-in-law Isaac Buck.  He 
holds over 2000 acres of land here in Putnam Co.   We have  6 wonderful sons.  
The oldest being George who is 14 and the youngest William who is 2.  We  do 
own slaves and have always been good to our people. I know of several families 
here in the County that treat their slaves with such malice and discontent.  
To me this is not a fair and just treatment for any person, wether they are 
freemen or slaves.  My husband has granted the freedom to several of our slaves 
as they served the family well and many are still here with us today as freemen.  
There is one young slave that belongs to my husband Uncle Abraham.  His name is 
Crusoe.  He is probably around 16 years of age.  He comes here often on errands 
for his Master.  A rather amazing individual, even for a slave.  He has such a 
way with animals.  My husband says that he has never seen anything quite like it.  
There is also talk among the slaves and this purely gossip of course, that he is 
really Uncle Abraham’s son or even his grandson.  I really do not know and try 
not to listen to such talk.  

I must turn away for now.  There are many chores to be done today.  There is 
always much that has to be done to keep a farm of this size running smoothly.  
From the gathering of wood for the fires to warm the house, to the preparing 
of daily meals to feed everyone, to the handling of the livestock out in the 
barns.  I often wonder what the future holds for all of us here in Putnam Co. 
with all the talk of secession and War that looms on the horizon. I am so 
afraid of what lies ahead for all of us.   

Catherine Quarles Buck