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No Slavery In Nebraska. The Voice Of God Against National Crime, Joseph P. Thompson

Special Collections

Antislavery sermon speaking against allowing slavery in Nebraska.

Statement on Harmful Material

Materials in UNK Archives and Special Collections are historical in nature and reflect the society in which they were produced. As such, they may contain racial, gender, sexual, religious, and other language and imagery that are offensive by today's standards. The documents, images, publications, and other materials have been retained in order to fully represent the materials in their original format. If the offensive text is not in the original, but in a finding aid, catalog record, or other description created by library employees, please contact Archives and …

Last Will And Testament Of John Shank, July 1852, John Shank

The James L. Fuller Collection

This document is the last will and testament of John Shank, a resident of Troup County, Georgia. It is dated July 22, 1852 and details his wishes for the division of his property (including several enslaved people) after he passes.

Letter From Daniel Webster Concerning The Word "Slavery" In Constitution, Dated 1850, Daniel Webster

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Daniel Webster writes Reverand S. K. Lothrop to question where to find the observation from Mr. Madison that states the reason to keep the word "slavery" from the Constitution, dated Feb. 27, 1850.

Spc Ms 1688 Sc, Bill Of Lading For Ninety-Three Slaves, Joseph S. Donovan

19th Century Maine

Bill of lading dated Oct. 24, 1850 for shipment of ninety-three slaves from Baltimore to New Orleans on the ship John C. Calhoun, master Captain John C. Lowell. The slaves were to be delivered to J.M. Wilson in New Orleans. Document lists names of slaves, their ages and their price.

PDF provides scans of the original document (a printed form completed in handwriting) and a transcript prepared by Special Collections in 2021.

Part of the Francis O'Brien Collection purchased in 1968.

Manuscript Slave Deed, Dated St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, February 15, 1845, From Charles W. Harris To Dempsey K. Gorman., Charles W. Harris

Documents Related to Slavery

No 10 Charles W. Harris Sale of Slaves To D.K. Gorman

Filed 15th February A.D. 1845 Samuel Gorman Parish Judge Recorded

The State of Louisiana) Be it remembered Parish of St. Helena ) that on this fifteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty five before me Samuel Lion and Parish Judge and exoficio notary pub lie in and for said Parish appears Charles D. Harris of the State of Mississippi who did Declare and say that for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred and fifty dollars paid to him by Dempray K. Gorman of …

Speech Of Mr. Severance, Of Maine, On The Right Of Petition, Luther Severeance

Maine Bicentennial

Luther Severance (1797-1855) was a printer, politician, and diplomat. He established the Kennebec Journal in Augusta, Maine in 1825 and served in both the Maine House of Representatives and State Senate. A prominent member of the Whig party, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives serving during the 28th and 29th sessions of Congress (March 4, 1843–March 3, 1847).

Rep. Luther Severance response to efforts Rep. Edward Black of Georgia and Rep. George C. Dromgoole of Virginia to amend the rules of the U.S. House of Representatives to prohibit discussion on the floor of any proposal of measures …

Slave Trade Ledger Of William James Smith, 1844-1854, William James Smith

Local History

This ledger meticulously details the prices paid and received for scores of human beings (as slaves; only first names are recorded), as well as the expenses incurred by Smith in undertaking this business venture, such as feeding, clothing, sheltering, and nursing the people he purchased and sold. The details of the book illustrate that Smith took several "trips" between 1844 and 1854 to buy and sell slaves: detailed records of purchases and sales of "Negroes" exist for all of the years between 1844 and 1854. The listing of expenses for the year of 1844 (the most complete account) indicate that …

The Missouri Compromise: Or, The Extension Of The Slave Power, James Appleton

Maine Bicentennial

Slavery exerted no slight influence over the public mind at the period when the Federal Constitution was framed; but it has continually increased in power, and become more and more malignant, from that time until the present. In proof of this, I might advert to many of the leading measures of the National Government, and to much of the history of our country, since the adoption of the Constitution; but I choose to illustrate this position, by referring to the prevailing opinion of those who framed the Constitution, and to a single subsequent act of the Government, viz., “The Missouri …

Liquor License, Barnwell District, South Carolina, August 21, 1841., Barnwell District, South Carolina

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

In which the licensee, William Robertson Jr., swears to not "sell give exchange barter" liquor to any slaves. Signed by C.A. Scott.

Murder: U.S. V. James Bigger

Arkansas Territory

This is the indictment of James Bigger for beating to death a slave woman named Lucy.

Slave Stealing: U.S. V. John Moore

Arkansas Territory

This document contains two depositions of witnesses in the case against John S. Moore for unlawfully detaining a young slave boy.

Receipt For Use Of Slaves In Construction Of Military Road

Images

Small scrap of paper with four lines of text related to construction of Military Road from Jackson to Fort Smith, using slaves owned by future Arkansas governor, Thomas Drew. It provides a route, identifies the superintendent for road construction, and the amount paid for the use of slaves.

1835 August 21: Printed Minutes Of Abolitionist Meeting, Augusta, Maine

L.C. Gulley collection, 1819-1898

No abstract provided.

Editorial, Arkansas Times, June 6, 1835

Arkansas statehood supplemental materials

Article from the Arkansas Times arguing against Arkansas statehood. The author uses a Latin phrase in the first column, "ne quid detrimenti rempublicam capiat," which means "do not damage the republic."

Bill Of Sale To Joel Cony, May 1835, John H. H

The James L. Fuller Collection

Bill of sale to Joel Cony for the sale of two enslaved people. Document is dated May 6, 1835.

"State Government, And The Slave Question", Arkansas Gazette, March 3, 1835

Arkansas statehood supplemental materials

Article from the Arkansas Gazette arguing that Arkansans should support statehood now and not put it off until later.

Manumission Records Of Black Persons

Local Government Records

In 1804, the Ohio General Assembly enacted the Ohio Black Codes to govern black and mulatto people living in the state. Under these Codes, free blacks and mulattos were required to register at their local court, proving they were free by providing emancipation papers or witnesses who could prove their “free” status and guarantee their good behavior with a monetary surety. You can see a name index of the Register by visiting our Emancipation Index for Miami County.

Bill Of Sale From James Lock To Joel Coney, December 1831, James Lock

The James L. Fuller Collection

Bill of sale signed by James Lock detailing the sale of an enslaved girl named Jane to Joel Coney. The document is dated December 13, 1831.

Manuscript Slave Deed, Dated February 2, 1830, Rockbridge County, Virginia, From Larkin Powers To Thomas Johnston., Larkin Powers

Documents Related to Slavery

Know all men by these presents that I Larkin Powers of the County of Rockbridge and the State of Virginia have .?. by these presents do sell unto Thomas Johnston of the county and state aforesaid a negro woman named Hannah for the consideration of one sorrel horse of the value of fifty dollars and in cash fifteen dollars the act of which I ackowledge and I do warrant and defend the health and title of said negro against the claims or clauses of all persons in writing whereof I have herewith Let my hand and seal this 2nd day …

1820s Slave Sale Certification Instructions

Slave narratives supplemental materials

This document details instructions on certifying the sale of a slave named Harriet to Mr. Charles Ritchie from Mr. William Hickman, in Hempstead County, Arkansas Territory, circa 1820s.

List Of Slaves, Including Their Ages, At Spring Garden Plantation, Florida, 1829., Spring Garden Plantation

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This item is a list of over 80 "negroes" — slaves of African descent — at Spring Garden, a plantation in present-day DeLeon Springs State Park, Florida. The list notes the first names of slaves and their ages. Annotations indicate occupations and work assignments, family units, and if individuals were sent to Charleston or sold locally. The meaning of some annotations are unclear or at least not explicit, such as small circles next to females' names. Annotations indicate this list was used as reference more than once. One pair of twins is noted as are several infants. Reference to the …

The Bassetts Bill Of Sale, June 1827, Bassett

The James L. Fuller Collection

This document records the sale of a girl named Betsy from the Bassetts to Jack Cony in Lawrence County, Georgia. It is dated June 9, 1827.

Slave Bill Of Sale For Mary, Sold By Stephen Hightower

Slave narratives supplemental materials

This is a bill of sale for one girl, named Mary, sold by Stephen Hightower for two hundred and fifty dollars to William Abernathy.

Deed Of Sale For Seven People (As Slaves) Sold By William O'Neale To John Henry Eaton, Washington, D.C., April 10, 1823., William O'Neale, John Henry Eaton

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

This deed or receipt acknowledges the exchange of $800 for seven slaves: Betsy Baker, 55; Nelly, 36 and her son Jim, 12 and daughter Jane, 7; Henney, 40, and her son Washington, 5; and Polly Quander, 21.

Court Case, Benjamin Crowley V. Benedict White

Arkansas Territory

These documents detail the court proceedings between Benjamin Crowley and Benedict White, regarding a change in their agreement over a slave, and includes the original complaint filed by White through his attorney Chamberlain the following court term, because he believed the proceedings of the court to be irregular.

Manuscript Slave Deed, Dated December 1, 1800, From William & Nicholas Mills To Charles Thompson Jr. Contemporary Copy, Recorded March 1801., William Mills, Nicholas Mills

Documents Related to Slavery

This deed ? made and entered in the first day of December in the year one thousand and eight hundred between William and Nicholas Mills administrators of the Nicholas Mills desc'd who was executor of Ann Mills deceased on the one part and Charles Thompson Jr of the other part Witneseth that the said William Mills and Nicholas Mills as Admintrs aforesaid for and in consideration fo the sum of One dollar to us in hand paid by the said Charles Thompson Fr the receipt where of we do hereby acknowledge. But more especially for the uses and trust hereafter …

Letter From Josiah Masters To John Reade About A Slave Man Named Dick He (Masters) Wishes To Sell. New York, 1796., Josiah Masters

Broadus R. Littlejohn, Jr. Manuscript and Ephemera Collection

Masters writes to Reade that Dick "has been somewhat uneasy with me, the first cause [was] my separating his wench from him.

"The lowest price is one hundred pounds."

Addressed to Reade in Poughkeepsie, NY.