A Faithful Slave

After years of serving one family a former slave receives a job in the local capital building as a janitor.

An Atlanta special to the Augusta Chronicle says: Governor Atkinson today made an appointment in recognition of an old servant which makes a pretty little story. The appointment was that of an old colored man named Robert Atkinson to a janitor’s place at the capitol. During the war Robert accompanied his young master, the governor’s eldest brother, John P. Atkinson, to the front. When he received the wound which caused his death it was the colored man Robert who picked his prostrate form up on the battle field and bore it away to place of safety. Later he accompanied the wounded man to his home and delivered him to his family. The Governor was but a child at the time, but the scene has never left his memory when the faithful servant arrived home with his wounded brother. Robert has always remained with the Atkinson family and when he was elected the Governor promised him a place at the capitol if he wanted it. A few days ago the request for the promised place came, and was immediately granted.

“A Faithful Slave,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 19, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/1360.