"Manuscript slave document presenting a Letter of Agreement. Monroe County, KY, 4 March 1828. 8vo leaf, one sheet. Slightly irregular shaped sheet, but not affecting text. The document spells out an agreement that allows a slave to work for pay. 'The said Lettes Bland doth give her servant Black Jesse his liberty for the space of twelve months to work for himself by his paying her forty dollars in specie at the expiration of the said twelve months. A notation on the verso indicates the sum was paid in full.'" -Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books and Prints
Text reads: "On or before the first of Jany (January) eighteen hundred and firfty eight, we promise and bind our selves heirs to pay or cause to be paid unto A.B. Vonneison(sic) or asignes the just and full sum of one hundred and twenty dollars good money of Virginia for the hifre of a Negrow boy Henry. The Negrow is to be released on the 25 of Dec next and to have the usual clothing hat and blanket. The said Negrow is not to carry(?) rafts, nor sail vessels nor steamboats nor work in a saw mill. Witness our hands and seals this the 1 of Jany 1857. Jacob Vaiden (seal), I.C. Vaiden (seal)." - Glen Books
"Autographed Letter signed as Governor of Maryland regarding a captured slave on free soil. [Maryland: circa 1822-1826]. Folio leaf written on both sides, not dated but docketed in Stevens' hand 'copy of a letter to Messrs. Brown and Morris of Philadelphia relative to Jacobs.' Some browning and aging but near fine. A letter from Samuel Stevens (1778-1860), governor of Maryland 1822-1826, to Philadelphia attorneys Brown and Morris in which Stevens refers to a request from the governor of Pennsylvania to arrest a Mr. Arnold Jacobs for taking captive one Emory Sadler, a man of color. This action was viewed as contrary to an act of the Commonwealth of 27th March 1820. However, while Stevens acknowledges the illegality of taking a slave from free soil and even admits Jacobs should be punished, he states that unless papers manumitting Sadler are presented, he can do nothing. This, in spite of a letter from Jacobs to Sadler's mother that indicated he had freed Sadler- 'which is liable to be revoked at any minute.' Stevens adds, 'Think not for a moment that I justify the conduct of Jacobs...'" -Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books and Prints
A growing collection of documents, photographs, and correspondence pertaining to the capture, purchase, bargaining, and freedom of enslaved people in Europe, Africa, and the Americas from the 18th to the 20th century. The collection contains a variety of petitions, contracts, estate settlements, and ephemera that record the activities of enslaved people during that era and illustrate the relationship between enslaved people and the people who enslaved them, as well as local government policy regarding enslavement and ownership in various parts of the Americas. Also included the collection are images and ephemera that feature racial caricatures, which were prevalent during their time of printing.
University of Miami Library - Collaborative Archives from the African Diaspora (CAAD)
"Three small holograph documents. Dated 1865. First document (16 x 6 cm): Small partial sheet on which one of the heirs to the estate of I.C. Haile acknowledges receipt of four named slaves valued at $2400 plus $15 in gold coin. Second document (15 x 12 cm): Two persons named Haile promise to pay B.W. Massey, who is listed as executor on first document and as acting for Laura J. Haile, the sum of $200 on January 1, 1866 for the hire of two Negroes named Bob & Polly. Third document (20 x 21 cm): Pencil notes calculating or listing the value of seven groups of slaves (two to five in a group) -- value of the groupings ranged from $2000 to $2400; we assume this was for purposes of distribution to the heirs. A receipt dated 1876 from a commission merchant on Fort Mill, SC came with these documents." --description from vendor
"Manuscript Document of Empancipation. Halifax County, VA, 24 June 1793. One page, oblong 8vo 5 3/4 x 7 3/4. Slightly trimmed almong the bottom edge with the loss of a signature or official mark. The document gives freedom to a 14-year-old girl named Betsey Simons. No reason is given by Beverly Milnez, the former slave owner, for this somewhat unusual act of granting freedom to a fourteen-year-old child. Perhaps, other family members were already free, and this act completed the process. Interestingly, the former owner left her mark and not a signature." -Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books and Prints
"In the document, Gewin claims that he does not detain the slaves, named Jane, Clarissa, and Peter, but that they are in fact the 'lawful property of one Alexander D. Neill,' and that Leeper should drop the complaint. On March 9, 1841, 'the branch of the Bank of the State of Alabama at Decatur obtained judgment in the circuit court of Morgan County, Alabama, in its action against said Neill for the sum of fifteen hundred & seventy five dollars.' The case was turned over to the Sheriff who, according to state law, was to 'sell the said negro slaves Jane, Clarissa & Peter (with the other said property) so levied and detained as aforesaid as the property of the said Alexander D. Neill.' --description from Bernett Penka Rare Books, bookseller
"Manuscript petition for new trial to secure freedom. Frederick County, Maryland, 22 October 1855. Folio sheet 1pp. Excellent condition. The document is a motion for a new trial for Negro Nan or Nancy to secure her freedom. Nan was the property of Robert B. Windsor, who died, but who was supposed to grant freedom for Nan in his will. However, Nan lost in the first trial. This motion outlines five reasons for a new trial, including allegations that the jury was influenced by misrepresentations. The motion also declares that the jury's verdict was in direct opposition to the evidence. The document appears to be signed by her attorney." -Nicholas D. Riccio Rare Books and Prints
"Stereoscopic card showing black men with wheelbarrows and shovels with caption, 'Negroes at work near Cristobal, Panama.' Approx. 7 x 3 1/2." --description from vendor
