Browsing Autographs  Slavery  View Glossary

1. BAILEY, William Shreve (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
Reknowned Kentucky abolitionist who published the only abolitionist newspaper (also the only Republican newspaper) in Kentucky in the 1850s; a cotton machinist and steam engine builder by trade, Bailey pubished "The Newport News" (which changed name several times) in 1850 and attacked slavery for a decade; his press, in turn, was burned down by an angry mob in 1851 and again attacked a few days after John Brown's famed October 22, 1859 raid at Harper's Ferry. ALS, 2pp, 5" X 8", Newport, KY, 1859 June 8. Addressed to Delos Dunton. Very good. Minor binding traces along one edge. Bailey was forever struggling to keep his newspaper out of debt, as this poignant letter attests. Writing to a supporter probably located in the east to acknowledge his subscription, Bailey laments: "Can nothing be done in that region to help us? I must pay the debt upon my lot or lose it. It is now nearly half paid by the money I got East. It makes hard time, with us to keep up the paper and apply all the money of donations to the debt. Nobody will come here to help us until it becomes a money-making business. Then I will have competitors -- not before. I shall do my best all the time, and I want you to tell the friends of freedom there to help me what they can. Do not forget me...." Signed boldly in full. Very scarce. Fascinating insight into the financial difficulty of such a daring and dangerous enterprise, written just months before John Brown's Raid brought further woes upon Bailey.
Price: $450.00

2. McLAIN, William (?-?). Signed Handbill.
This noted Presbyterian reverend pastored Washington, DC's First Presbyterian Church from 1837 to 1840; in 1844 he became for many years secretary and treasurer of the American Colonization Society (founded 1817, whose goal was the freedom of African-Americans and their return to Africa), in which capacity he became a figure of prominence and influence among anti-slavery advocates. Signed printed handbill, 1p, 4¼" X 6¼", Washington City, 1845 January 28. Very good. Light even age toning. Interesting announcement sent from the "Colonization Rooms," reading in part: "The Board of Managers of the Illinois State Colonization Society have made arrangements by which the African Repository is to be sent gratuitously to every Clergyman in the State, who is willing to receive it, the present year," it begins. This monthly anti-slavery publication was issued by the American Colonization Society for many years. He continues, "It is hoped that its circulation will be of great benefit to the benevolent enterprise which it advocates -- and that many of the Clergy will be induced to take up collections about the 4th of July in its behalf." Bold, attractive "W. McLain" in brown ink at the conclusion. The Society knew well that it had strong support among the clergy. They wisely and calculatingly cultivated that support -- for clergyman at that time were persons of great influence, and often held great sway over large congregations and could widely disseminate their beliefs in their sermons. And we thought unsolicited magazine subscriptions a modern curse! An appealing and intriguing piece that illustrates how savvy the American Colonization Society was in marketing its message.
Price: $125.00

3. (SLAVERY -- BILL OF SALE). Autograph Document Signed.
ADS from one Henry Smith, 1p, 7¼" X 12¼", Southampton County, VA, 1795 September 19. Very good. Retained copy. For 175 pounds, Smith sells seven slaves (Jacob, Agge, Dilcey, Will, Darkey, Amey and Milley) to his sister, Mary Jordan of Northampton, North Carolina. Court docket on verso. Nice, typical colonial bill of sale.
Price: $295.00

4. (SLAVERY -- BILL OF SALE). TRIPP, D.C. (?-?). Autograph Document Signed.
Brief, cryptic bill of sale from this slave owner to a THOMAS MARTIN. ADS, 1p, 7½" X 12", n.p., 1837 September 28. Very good. Bit of age toning and mild paper discoloration, but overall attractive. Tripp (whose name as signed at the close is hasty and the spelling thus open to interpretation) acknowledges receipt of one thousand dollars as "payment in full for a negro man named Moses -- and I do hereby convey all the right title and interest which I have to Moses to the said Thomas Martin...." Also signed at lower left by two witnesses, J.C. (or I.C.) Carter and Ben Carter. Though quite brief, an interesting example worthy of further research. By the way, we know from other documents of Thomas Martin we've handled that Moses was ultimately manumitted.
Price: $450.00

5. (SLAVERY -- ESTATE INVENTORY -- GILES COUNTY, TENNESSEE). REYNOLDS, David T. (?-?). Autograph Document Signed.
Interesting estate inventory prepared by one David T. Reynolds, brother of deceased Theophilus W. Reynolds ("late of Panola County Mississippi"), on behalf of his guardians -- two nephews and one niece. ADS, 1p, 7½" X 12¼", Giles County, TN, n.y. [likely early 1850s]. Very good. Quite mild age toning. Reynolds pens this slave inventory on the front page of a pale blue four-page lettersheet, addressing it "To The Worshipful County Court of Giles County Tennessee." Noting his legal status as "Guardian of John D. Reynolds, Mary I. Reynolds, and James D. Reynolds," Reynolds proceeds to "inventory and account of the property and assets received by him belonging to his Said wards, -- as well as all that they have a right to, so far as has come to his Knowledge...." He then lists by name and age thirty-four slaves: "One negro Jenny, aged about 40 years; Jesse, about 17; -- Grand, about 16; Lee, about 14; President, about 10; Harry, about 1; Sam, about 40; Scilla, about 40; Dan, about 19; Dick, about 18; Alfred, about 14; Abe, about 11; Reuben, about 9; Henry, about 8; Matilda, about 37; Green, about 17; Moses, about 15; Laman about 12; Judge, about 10; David, about 45; Margaret, about 20; Mary, about 16; Wyatt, about 12; Loveless, about 8; Overton, about 35; Dorcas, about 25; Lewis, about 14; Seely, about 8; -- Sam Booley, about 40; Beverly, about 32, and three infants, one a child of Margaret, one of Esther (the Said Esther being dead) and the other, a child of Scilla; a boy, named Alfred, aged about 18 years...." He also mentions a promissory note for $3200 owed them and due in January 1855 (which helps date this document) and "two wagons and gearing, nine mules, and three horses. The entire Estate... is valued at Forty thousand Dollars." Lastly, Reynolds notes their "interest in the Estate of their Grandfather, John C. Gibbons, Deceased, late of Marshall County, Mississippi... Supposed to amount to about ten Thousand Dollars...." Though not dated, a fascinating look at a substantial mid-19th century Mississippi estate far richer in slaves than any other commodity. Strangely enough, Reynolds makes no mention of a house or property.
Price: $850.00

6. (SLAVERY -- FUGITIVE HARBORING). PITCHER, John (1795-1892). Autograph Document Signed.
This noted Hoosier attorney and judge, also an Indiana state representative (1830-31) and senator (1841-44) was supposed to have loaned law books to a young Abraham Lincoln. ADS, 1p, 8" X 12¼", Warrick County, IN, 1835 October. Very good. Lightly age toned and mildly edgeworn, but overall bold and attractive. This remarkable document is a grand jury indictment against JOHN A. BRACKENRIDGE, "Late of Boon Township... merchant and counsellor at Law," and charges that "on the tenth Day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four and for thirty Days thereafter..." Brackenridge "did then and there unlawfully and knowingly harbour a certain negro man by the name of Harry the said negro man then and there having come within the State of Indiana from without the State and not having then and there complyed with the provisions of the act entitled 'An act concerning free negroes and mulattoes servants and slaves,' ...." Incredibly, Brackenridge (?-1862) was a noted prosecuting attorney reknowned for his courtroom oratory -- and a young Abraham Lincoln traveled the 17 miles to hear him at court and to borrow law books from him as well! Docketed on verso and signed there by the grand jury foreman (David Hall) and three witnesses (Richd Stephens, Elijah Stephens, J.A. Graham); Brackenridge's bail is noted there as one hundred dollars. A highly unusual form of slavery document with two highly unusual Lincoln connections. One wonders whether Brackenridge's antislavery sympathies may have rubbed off on the impressionable young Lincoln....
Price: $950.00

7. (SLAVERY -- LEASE AGREEMENT). Autograph Document Signed.
Lease agreement between one GEORGE GEORGE (slave owner) and JOHN MERRICK (slave lessor), 3pp, 8" X 9½", Mason County, KY, 1820 February 15. Very good. Mildest bit of age toning. "Articles of Agreement between this Virginian slave owner and a Kentuckian slave lessor for what is clearly a family of slaves, "Cyrus a man aged about thirty five years, Dilse a woman aged about thirty five years and Ellick, Carlisle, Melinda, Ajax, Thornton Harriet and Jacob (an infant) the seven last named being children of the aforesaid woman Dilse." Merrick agrees to rent them ("have the use and benefit of them") and to "properly feed clothe and take care of the said Slaves and their increase, and treat them humanely, that he will pay all public dues and tax's and Levies that may accrue or be imposed on the said Slaves...[for] the sum of One dollar annually and every year during his the said Merricks life...." George protects his interests at length, making sure to specify "that at the death of him the said Merrick the said Slaves and their increase shall immediately return to and be delivered to him the said George without incumbrance suit or trouble, and moreover that... Merrick will not during his life time, or his representatives after his death do any act by which the said Slaves may be entitled to become free and will not without the consent of the said George remove them out of the State of Kentucky...." Signed boldly at the conclusion by George and Merrick and by two witnesses (John Chambers and James A. Paxton). Docketed on the verso by Mason County clerk Marshall Key. Why George, who clearly valued his "property" and acted to keep his slaves in his legal possession, would lease them to a land owner for such a token sum is a mystery. Most unusual and attractive.
Price: $575.00

8. (SLAVERY -- LETTER). LATIMER, J.B.C. (?-?). Autograph Letter Signed.
Unusual slavery letter concerning the disposition of "The old man Tobey," a slave. ALS, 1p, 8" X 9 3/4", "Allins Fresh," 1839 December 26. Addressed to William Briscoe Stone (1797-1872), noted lawyer and landowner of Port Tobacco, Charles County, Maryland with a distinguished family history). Very good. Curious letter, reading in part: "The old man Tobey of [Dolt Platon] which I have this year is so sick by that he can hardly do any thing but I supose you have seen him and if so you can Judge by his looks what he is worth I would Keep him again at ten Dollars or would give twenty five Dollars for him for life if he serves to feed my horse please inform me by Mr. Smoot what is to be done with him and if you wish him sent to you I will send him up Immediately...." Is "Dolt Platon" an abbreviation for a plantation of some sort? Was Stone owner of Tobey, and Latimer rented him? Interesting letter that raises more questions than it answers -- hence worthy of further research.
Price: $295.00

9. (SLAVERY -- WRIT OF REPLEVIN -- ST. CHARLES, MISSOURI). TUTER, Reuben (?-?). Document Signed.
Confidant of Missouri pioneer Jonathan Bryan (1759-1846) of the noted St. Charles family whose relatives included their neighbor Daniel Boone. DS, 1p, 7½" X 12", St. Charles County, MO, 1847 February 2. Near fine. Acknowledgment that Tuter, who signs himself as "Administrator of the Estate of Johnathan Bryan," has had a writ of replevin made out and issued to the St. Charles sheriff, Edward C. Cunningham (1809-65), for delivery to an unnamed offender. The writ seeks to recover the following property apparently wrongfully taken from Jonathan Bryan's estate: "one negro man a Slave named Heney one Two horse waggon and one pair of Briches Two Black horses one Lorrel horse with bold face one walnut Cupboard one clock one Bureau one bedstead and bedding one walnut Table one Trunk one Bible...." In other words, everything but the kitchen sink. Signed at the conclusion by Tater (in his definitely untutored hand). Tales of slaves are found in the Bryan family lore, such as: "Mrs. Jonathan Bryan, a kinswoman of Daniel Boone, was working in her yard with a slave woman when a boy slave screamed. She saw an Indian warrior heading for them with a tomahawk in one hand, and a gun in the other. The women ran for the house. Just as they were slamming the door, they caught the warrior's head and right arm between the door and facing. The slave woman grabbed the hatchet from his hand and killed him with a sharp blow. The women had barely recovered from their fright when the boy shouted again...." Could the slave boy in this old family legend by none less than the "Slave named Heney" whose return is demanded in this replevin suit? Quite unusual slavery item with an intriguing history.
Price: $795.00

10. (SLAVERY PLANTATION). CONNELL, James M. (?-?). Autograph Document Signed.
Guardian and manager of the estate of a young man (presumably) named WILLIAM NEAL, the extend of whose holdings and business dealings suggest a Southern plantation origin. ADS, 2pp (single leaf, both sides), 22" X 17", n.p., 27 August 1829 through 1 August 1831. Very good. Bit of minor age toning, with modest separations along one fold -- overall quite bold and extremely attractive, accomplished on a high-quality heavy stock. Across both pages, in a huge and neat cursive, is written "Dr. Estate of William Neal in account with James M. Connell Guardian of William Neal." Fascinating summation from this young gentleman's account book, with each page divided into columns. Each page is divided in half, with each half containing a slim column at left for the date, a large center column for the description of the payment or sale, and a slim column at right for the amount. A delightful range of transactions, both monies taken in and paid out, are recorded. Top of first column notes: "I have had valued to me... on the 9th June 1830 three negroes to wit one Girl Biddy valued at three hundred Dollars one Girl Delia valued at Two hundred and seventy five Dollars and one Boy Peter Branch valued at Two hundred and sixty two Dollars and fifty cents...." Further down on same column, an intriguing line item records a payment "To BM Burch time lost by negro." Next column over begins with a "Memorandum of Property received by me and receipted to BM Patteson for 1829": "Seven negro men viz. Jacob, Ned, Peter, Phillip, Thomas, Randal, and Harman, Ten negro Boys viz. Paschal, Peter Branch, Burwell, Renard, George, David, Hercules, Charles, Joseph, and James, Eight negro Woman viz. Anna, Miller, Hannah, Dolly, Sally, Grace, Am'ny, and Louisa, six Young Woman... Eight Young Girls...." -- a sizeable number of slaves (39) suitable to a plantation -- followed by "Eleven Head of Horses Seventy five head of Sheep Small Stock of Hoggs...." Further down the same column is recorded the January 23, 1830 "Sale of negro Girl Beck sold under an execution" for $335 and a line-by-line listing for what appears to be the "hire" (renting) of ten male and female slaves for amounts ranging from $32 to $75. Neal must have been a young man, for amounts paid to "Tuition" are recorded. Signed boldly by Connell at the conclusion, together with his title, "Guardian of William Neal." An insightful look into the financial affairs of a young man of means in the antebellum period. Quite displayable and quite uncommon.
Price: $695.00

11. STEVENS, Thaddeus (1792-1868). Free-Franked Envelope / Steel Engraved Portrait.
This ardent Abolitionist is considered the father of the 14th Amendment, with its due process, equal protection and citizenship clauses; as a long-time Vermont representative (1849-53, 1859-68) he led the Reconstruction measures and also the impeachment of Andrew Johnson. Free-Franked Envelope, 5 3/4" X 3¼", n.p. [postal cancellation from Congress, Washington, DC], n.y. February 3. Very good. Tear (1½") at top of front, likely from rude opening, not terribly noticeable. Usual bold, sloppy signature at upper right in rich brown ink; despite this, envelope is clean and white and boldly penned. Addressed in Stevens' hand to "Hon J.W. Grimes / Senate / Wash." Bold circular postal cancellation at upper left. Recipient James Wilson Grimes (1816-72) was a Republican governor from Iowa and that state's U.S. senator from 1859 to 1869, which dates this envelope to that period. Accompanied by a delightful contemporary steel engraved portrait, 5¼" X 8", undated but engraved by A.B. Walter of Philadelphia. Good plus. Dampstaining at some edges, much of which could be matted out. Group of seven head-and-shoulders portraits of U.S. senators, each set within a 2¼" X 1 3/4" oval. At center is Benjamin F. Wade, surrounded by (from top, clockwise) Samuel P. Chase, Thaddeus Stevens, Henry Wilson, Lyman Trumbull, Oliver P. Morton and Schuyler Colfax. Though noted titled as a group, this perhaps represents the leading Radical Republicans of the day.
Price: $150.00

©1997-2009 Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, Ltd. All rights reserved.