I too was brought up to love Stephen Foster songs. He was, and still is, loved here in Australia too.
Stephen Foster was born and raised in a state where slavery was illegal. He most surely was not from a "pro-slavery family". He most surely was not pro-slavery himself. I feel very strongly that we should correct these misconceptions about this great song-writer. How could anyone singing songs like for example: "Nelly was a Lady" "Old Black Joe" not notice how the subjects are treated with the greatest dignity.
                                                       Joy