Lot 381

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Description:

Fantastic Pre-Civil War Slavery Archive from Across the State of Alabama

This small archive of approximately 20 documents includes materials related to slaves, including the sale and renting of slaves and their valuation in estates at the death of their owners. Together, they offer a poignant reminder of the history of owning persons as property.

[SLAVERY.] Archive of documents related to slavery in the United States, 1828-1862. Expected folds; varying degrees of toning and soiling; some dampstaining; some edge tears; very good. A sampling of the archive includes the following items:
Receipt for the Hiring of Slaves. 2pp, measuring 7.75" x 5.25", no place [Alabama], dated June 18, 1855. On bluish tinted ruled paper, an executrix of an estate is reimbursing the manager, or caretaker, for the "hire of three negroes, Sam, Laggio and Dafney for the year 1854, $200.00." Note appended confirms receipt of payment.

Accounting of Monies Spent Hiring Slaves. 1p, measuring 8" x 3.75", no place [Alabama], dated for the year 1849. This document records "The amount of hire of the negroes belonging to Eliza Ann Philen for the year 1849: Jime, $50, Charlotte and three children $37. The amount of hire of the negroes belonging to Martha Philen for the year 1849: Frank $12, Mary $38, Hannah & three children $18.25."

Invoice from a Local Newspaper for Advertising Slaves. 1p, measuring 7.25" x 3", Camden Republic of Camden, Alabama, dated April 17, 1858. The entry reads, "1857. Dec. 17. To adv. Petition for sale of Negroes of estate of James Magee, dec'd. $4.00." Followed by note that payment was received. This was unquestionably a very small local newspaper as it did not use printed invoice forms.

Guardian's Bill for Boarding Minors, with Payment in Slaves. 1p, measuring 7.75" x 3.5", no place [Alabama], dated January 1, 1862. In the sum of $540.00 for boarding minor children during the year 1861 (commencement of the Civil War). With a footnote that reads, "Rec’d payment by him of negroes, Jany 1st, 1862." The implication is that the debtor was unable or unwilling to pay in cash, and instead paid the bill in slaves, believing that they would soon be of little value if the North won the war.

Plantation Inventory, circa 1840s. 1p, 7.75" x 12.5", no place [Alabama], no date [1840s]. An extensive listing of mules is given, each with its name and valuation. Also: pigs, log chains, shovels, corn, yoke of oxen, sheep, pine tables, candlesticks, carpeting, andirons, sofa, washstand, bureau etc. After the total has been tabulated a note reads "Deduct for difference in value of negroes drawn over and above the share allotted to Ann Maria Gibson & Samuel Gibson."

Most Unusual Bill for Services Rendered by Slaves. 1p, measuring 7.75" x 4.25", no place [Alabama], February 22, 1859. Reads, "Paid Negroes for bringing Robert home, 1.00." The circumstances to which this related must have been a bit odd. There are a number of possibilities, but the most likely are (1) The slaves were not in the employ of the person for whom they performed the service but were recruited "on the road" and paid out of pocket; or (2) They were not slaves at all.

Account of Guardian for Expenses Incurred. 2pp, measuring 7.5" x 12.5", Lawrence County, Alabama, dated 1846-1849. A large blue folio sheet, recording a charge of $34.62 made for "¼ part of hire of negro woman for the years 1846, ’47, '48 & '49." A fractional charge such as this indicates that the slave had care of more than one child.

"Negro Boy" Taken by Sheriff to Satisfy Legal Judgement. 2pp, 7.5" x 12.5", Lawrence County, Alabama, dated January 2, 1829. Begins "The State of Alabama to the Sheriff of Lawrence County Greeting," and gives detail of judgment (names, places, amounts etc.) to be collected. Signed by clerk of the court. Note in hand of John Gregg, Sheriff, states taking "negro boy named Robt. 21 years old."

Attorney's Bill for Work Done in Connection with Slaves Belonging to an Estate. 1p, measuring 15.75" x 12.5", no place [Alabama], dated March 11, 1861. John W. Carter identifies himself as administrator of the estate of L.H. Seltzer, deceased, and renders a bill for $10.00 dated January 4, 1860, "To going to Parks to make arrangements for dividing negroes."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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