b'leeve

"I don't b'leeve in dese mixed white and black families en hit shouldn't be 'lowed."

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

I knows you won't b'leeve me but at one time I weigh ovuh 400 pounds, but now I'm nothin 'but skin en bon'.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

You bin cuttin 'up yo' capers en bouncin '' roun 'in dis neighborhood ontwel you come ter b'leeve yo'se'f de boss er de whole gang.

Reveries of a Schoolmaster Francis B. Pearson

Lots of peeples did b'leeve in dem back in dem times.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

Don't b'leeve in ma'rige ob white en black en hit shouldn't be 'lowed.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

I b'leeve it's Him tellin 'me to watch, watch an' pray.

The Bishop of Cottontown A Story of the Southern Cotton Mills John Trotwood Moore

I didn't hab ter move but I kep prayin 'en talkin' ter de Lawd en I b'leeve he 'Yeard me fer de water didn't git in mah house.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

Don't b'leeve in signs, I hab allus tho't whut ez gwine ter be will be, en de only way ter be ez de rite way.

Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Tennessee Narratives Work Projects Administration

It's jest's well he's gawn; I never did b'leeve in hangin '.

Ramona 1921

But I know, fur all thet, 't won't make any difference; 'pears like there cuddn't nobody b'leeve ennythin' 'n this world' thout seein ''t theirselves.

Ramona 1921