Myself. An expression much used by negroes, and occasionally by white people.

1

1842.  If you took me for a servant, you’re mistaken in the child, sir!—Mrs. Kirkland, ‘Forest Life,’ i. 117.

2

1842.  Anyhow, this child don’t stir.—Id., i. 134.

3

1843.  You ’ve got this child into a tarnation scrape this time.—Knick. Mag., xxii. 110 (Aug.).

4

1845.  This child aint to be beat, no how you can fix it!—W. T. Thompson, ‘Chronicles of Pineville,’ p. 23 (Phila.).

5

1848.  This child don’t meddle with no more hard ware in this trap, no how!—Durivage and Burnham, ‘Stray Subjects,’ p. 104.

6

1851.  See COON’S AGE.

7

1857.  Dem common niggers is only good to hoe de corn and fry de hoe-cake. De next ting, I ’spect he ’ll say he knows more about cookin’ dan dis chile does, and demand de keys ob de coppers!—Knick. Mag., l. 587 (Dec.).

8

1858.  Sartinly, Massa. Dis child is of dat complexion. Dat is, Massa, I will see your orders obeyed.—Id., li. 66 (Jan.).

9

1862.  

        An’ when we ’ve laid ye all out stiff, an’ Jeff hez gut his crown,
An’ comes to pick his nobles out, wun’t this child be in town!
Lowell, ‘Biglow Papers,’ 2nd Series, No. 3.    

10