Bethany Veney

The Narrative of Bethany Veney: a Slave Woman (Dodo Press)

Bethany Veney (1815-? ), also known as Aunt Betty, was an African American slave. Her mother and master both died when she was around nine. Veney and her family were split up, and she ended up with her mistress Miss Lucy and David Kibbler - a Dutchman with a violent temper. Bethany married Jerry, a fellow slave, but after a year he managed to escape. In 1858, Bethany and her son Joe were sold for $775. However, after the Civil War she obtained her freedom and in 1889 published her autobiography; The Narrative of Bethany Veney: A Slave Woman.