In the 1930s, there was a concentrated effort by the government to collect oral histories
from slaves or their descendants. Matthew Hume, forer slave on the Payne Plantation, north of Preston Plantation, said:
"The mistress on a neighboring plantation was a
devout Catholic and had all the children come each Sunday after-noon to study the 'catechism' and repeat the Lord's
Prayer. Mr. Hume said she did a lot of good in leading them to Christ, but he did not learn much of the 'catechism'
as he only attended for the treat. After the service they always had candy or a cup of sugar."
Mary had a good relationship with her slaves often giving them rides in her buggy when she was
out and about. Her will to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Louisville left $25.00 a year to six former slaves.
