Asiana Gilchrist
January 26, 2009
Mr. Fiorini
English
The Price of a Child


Dear Bennie,
I miss you so much. I can’t wait to see you because I promise you I will come back for you. Well since I left you I have been through a lot. While traveling to Nicaragua with Pryor we stopped in Philadelphia. Pryor left us alone in a hotel while he went off to dinner so that night we escaped. A man named Nig-Nag overheard us talking and gave us help. So now I am staying with nice lady I call Aunt Bea. She is a free African American whose family, the Quicks, is helping to keep Mattie, Etta, and me safe. I also have changed my name from Ginnie Gray to Mercer. Harriet Quick told me that this helped to symbolize my freedom. Well until next time son, just remember to be strong and that I am not going anywhere without you.
Love always,
Your mother, Mercer Gray


Dear Bennie,
I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve seen my beautiful boy. I miss you so much. I also miss Etta and Mattie, I was told that us being together was dangerous for our safety so we had to split up. They are still in Philadelphia while I’m traveling with Zilpha Quick to her home in West Chester. The Quick family is very sweet and very nice. I especially like Tyree Quick. He is unhappily married to a woman named Blanche. But when Tyree is with me there is such a different type of special connection that we share. But my main priority is getting back to you and getting my family into freedom. Nothing else is on my mind but that. I miss you and your other siblings so much. I hate having our family this split up I feel so incomplete but only for now because soon I will have you in my arms again. I love you so much Bennie Gray and I will be with you shortly. Stay strong my boy.

Love always,
Your mother, Mercer Gray



Dear Bennie,
I feel like this is going to be my last letter love. Things are getting really intense around here. I visited a woman named Eliza Ruffin, she is the president of the Ladies Anti- Slavery Society, and asked me to sign an affidavit. The affidavit states that I left Pryor with my own free will. The down side of this is that I might have to appear in court, which would threaten my freedom, but for some odd reason I agreed anyway. After the filing of the affidavit, I remained in New York at a boarding house until I left to attend a trail for Williamson Still. After this trail I was driven to Mary Sterlings’ house because I was told it would help keep me safe. The best news I have from these few days was that I was reunited with Mattie, Etta, and the Quicks. Although it seems that everything was happy I have some tragic news. Nig-Nag was badly beaten up and died in Church. After the court charged me as free the Quicks set up a party in my honor but Nig- Nag just got way to drunk and wasn’t able to defend himself. That’s why I told you that I wasn’t sure if I would get any more letters out. I’m on my way trying to save you and then take us all somewhere where we can live our new free lives. I love you son and don’t forget that. It’s finally time for me to see you and I can’t wait until then. Stay strong and be brave I will be with you soon.

Love always,
Your mother Mercer Gray