While at Turnwold Plantation, Harris spent hundreds of hours in the slave quarters during time off. He was less self-conscious there and felt his humble background as an illegitimate, red-headed son of an Irish immigrant helped foster an intimate connection with the slaves. He absorbed the stories, language, and inflections of people like Uncle George Terrell, Old Harbert, and Aunt Crissy. The African-American animal tales they shared later became the foundation and inspiration for Harris's Uncle Remus tales. George Terrell and Old Harbert in particular became models for Uncle Remus, as well as role models for Harris.
while at turnwold plantation harris spent hundreds of hours in the slave quarters during time off he was less self-conscious there and felt his humble background as an illegitimate red-headed son of an irish immigrant helped foster an intimate connection with the slaves he absorbed the stories language and inflections of people like uncle george terrell old harbert and aunt crissy the african-american animal tales they shared later became the foundation and inspiration for harris's uncle remus tales george terrell and old harbert in particular became models for uncle remus as well as role models for harris