African American Studies Commons^™

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 …

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.

An Appeal In Favor Of That Class Of Americans Called Africans, Lydia Maria Child, Paul Royster (Editor)

Electronic Texts in American Studies

The roots of white supremacy lie in the institution of negro slavery. From the 15th through the 19th century, white Europeans trafficked in abducted and enslaved Africans and justified the practice with excuses that seemed somehow to reconcile the injustice with their professed Christianity. The United States was neither the first nor the last nation to abolish slavery, but its proclaimed principles of freedom and equality were made ironic by the nation’s reluctance to extend recognition to all Americans.

“Americans” is what Mrs. Child calls those fellow countrymen of African ancestry; citizenship and equality are what she proposed beyond simple …

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 …

Walker’S Appeal, In Four Articles; Together With A Preamble, To The Coloured Citizens Of The World, … (Boston, 1830), David Walker, Paul Royster , Editor & Depositor

Zea E-Books in American Studies

Walker’s Appeal ... is a radical antislavery and antiracist manifesto by a free American of African ancestry. Its bold denunciation of European culture was unprecedented, unrestrained, and startling, viz.:

“The whites have always been an unjust, jealous, unmerciful, avaricious and blood-thirsty set of beings, always seeking after power and authority.”

Walker attacks the slave system and its rampant racism from the viewpoint of America’s allegiance to the idea of freedom; he quotes the Declaration of Independence at length, and strikes a recognizably jeremiad note:

“O Americans! Americans!! I call God—I call angels— I call men, to witness, that your destruction …

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 …

Banks, Mrs. Sarah - Inventory Of Personal Property Of Mrs. Sarah Banks, Deceased, Chancery Court Of Adams County

Historic Natchez Foundation

Inventory of the personal property of Mrs.Sarah Banks, deceased, including two enslaved persons, whose names were not recorded.

Mccracken, George - Petition Regarding An Incomplete Bequest From The Estate Of George Mccracken, By Sally And Charles Jones, Chancery Court Of Adams County

Historic Natchez Foundation

Petition regarding an incomplete bequest from the estate of George McCracken, by Sally and Charles Jones

An Oration On The Abolition Of The Slave Trade; Delivered In The African Church In The City Of New-York, January 1, 1808, Peter Williams Jr

Zea E-Books in American Studies

The United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 9, prohibited Congress from banning the importation of slaves until the year 1808. A bill to do this was first introduced in Congress by Senator Stephen Roe Bradley of Vermont in December 1805, and its passage was recommended by President Jefferson in his annual message to Congress in December 1806. In March 1807, Congress passed the legislation, and President Thomas Jefferson signed it into law on March 3, 1807. Subsequently, on March 25, 1807, the British Parliament also passed an act banning the slave trade aboard British ships. The effective date of the …

The Nature And Importance Of True Republicanism With A Few Suggestions Favorable To Independence: A Discourse, Delivered At Rutland, (Vermont,) The Fourth Of July, 1801. — It Being The 25th Anniversary Of American Independence., Lemuel Haynes, Paul Royster , Ed.

Electronic Texts in American Studies

This intriguing document is a political 4th of July “discourse” by an African American New England Congregational ordained minister and Revolutionary War veteran from the very early years of the Republic. Lemuel Haynes’ personal history is an interesting story, as is his assessment of the progress, needs, and future prospects of the new nation. Ostensibly and formally, the discourse is about selecting leadership dedicated to serving the public welfare and avoiding men who seek office for personal preferment, power, or fame. Taking a text from the gospel of Luke, Haynes applies the advice of Jesus to his disciples to the …

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.

Articles Of Agreement Amongst The Preachers, Methodist Episcopal Church. South Carolina Conference.

Methodist Books

Articles of Agreement Amongst the Preachers relative to slavery, January 2, 1795. The clergy agree about the impropriety and evil of slavery, and its harmful consequences. They resolve that no member of conference should own slaves, and anyone who becomes the possessor of slaves should emancipate them where the law allows, and that any member who acts otherwise shall forfeit their seat at conference and their letter of ordination.

Essay On Negro-Slavery., James O'Kelly

Stone-Campbell Books

No abstract provided.

An Address To The Negroes In The State Of New-York, Jupiter Hammon

Zea E-Books in American Studies

Hammon’s Address, published in New York and Philadelphia in 1787, is a simple but eloquent set of Christian advice and reflections. To his fellow Negroes who are enslaved, Hammon advises obedience to masters, honesty and faithfulness, and the avoidance of profaneness. Among his strongest recommendations is that Negroes make every effort learn to read and use that knowledge to study the Bible. Hammon’s focus is on eternity, judgment, redemption, and God’s governance of the world.

Yet Hammon’s appeal is no apology for the slave system, but rather a modulated and astute assessment of the social and power relations between blacks …

The Negro Christianized. An Essay To Excite And Assist That Good Work, The Instruction Of Negro-Servants In Christianity (1706), Cotton Mather, Paul Royster , Editor

Electronic Texts in American Studies

There were Africans in New England before there were Puritans there, and by 1700 they numbered about 1,000 out of a total population of 90,000. Roughly half of them lived in Massachusetts, and were concentrated in Boston and the coastal towns. Puritans actively participated in the trafficking of enslaved persons, importing Africans from the West Indies and sometimes selling native American prisoners overseas.

Cotton Mather’s household contained enslaved Negro servants, and his congregation at the Second (or North) Church included both merchants of slavery and persons of African descent. The pamphlet reprinted here appeared in 1706 without his name, but …