Yes, it sounded like Captain Anthony had some mental issues. Might have been autism, or some form of dementia, maybe that kind you get from a life of heavy drinking.
I suppose I’m reacting to “fake but accurate” modern journalism when I wonder how much of Douglass’s narrative is factually true. On the other hand, 19th century journalism wasn’t overly concerned with absolute factual truthiness, when there was a story to sell or an agenda to promote ...
After my last post, I went back and reread ch 1-5. Capt. Anthony is described in Ch1 as owning several farms which raises the question, why wasn't Capt. Anthony living on his own property rather than working for Col. Lloyd and periodically selling one of his (Anthony's) slaves in order to help make ends meet?
Do property records exist supporting such claim of multiple farm ownership by Capt. Anthony, or was Anthony also a liar attempting to boost his perceived social-economic standing amongst the slaves he oversaw?
I suppose I’m reacting to “fake but accurate†modern journalism when I wonder how much of Douglass’s narrative is factually true. On the other hand, 19th century journalism wasn’t overly concerned with absolute factual truthiness, when there was a story to sell or an agenda to promote ..
Interesting question for which I do not know the answer.