A man born into slavery, Willis Cozart, had to work for a cruel master, Starling Oakley, since the day he was born. As a child he would spend his days picking weeds around the house. 

When he was older he would give speeches to the other 70-80 people working on the plantation and urge them to rebel. They would go hide under the apple tree until they were caught and brutally hurt by the master.

The master's punishments were cruel. 39-40 whips was considered good and 100 was bad. Most could not handle the bad whippings. Willis was whipped 2-3 during his life, which was also considered good. He would see people beat until blood run and everyone with scars.

The living and working conditions were poor. Houses were log cabins with sand floors and dirt chimneys. There was a little patch of garden where he could grow berries. However, there was not much time for that because he worked from sunrise to sunset 6 days a week. He was fed mostly bread, meat and vegetables from the master. This type of plantation was considered to be one of the better ones with better health conditions.  

The plantation produced cotton, tobacco, wheat and vegetables. Aswell, berries would be grown in the dirt huts of the enslaved. Willis would sell them to make a profit of his own. It was said that slaves sold berries for a sense of self worth.  

Sometimes Willis would have some good times going fishing or hunting with the master. However, it was only when they were he was good.