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to Richard H. Jackson
10 October 1865
Armstrong, J. A., fl. 1861-1864
He is glad to hear that RIchard and Fred Snow are doing all right now. He asks Richard what he thinks of the Emancipation Proclamation.
GLC07705.401
[Middle Passage iron bilboes, 18th century]
1680-1800
One set of middle passage iron bilboes, circa 1680-1800. Item is an iron restraint for ankles or wrists used on slave ships to fasten two enslaved people to each other. Consist of an iron bar running through two c-shaped cuffs. One end of the rod has...
GLC09707
[Middle Passage iron bilboes or leg irons, late 17th or 18th century]
GLC09708
[Hand-forged iron shackles, 18th-19th century]
1700-1800
One set of hand-forged iron shackles, dated 18th-19th century. Consists of two c-shaped iron cuffs attached with heavy iron links to two round rings. One ring is larger than the other and creates a point to link the shackles to another set of...
GLC09709
to Robert Doak
21 September 1856
Doak, Robert, fl. 1856
One letter dated Shelby County, Ky, September 21, 1856 from Robert Doak to James Maguire, regarding the conditions of the will of Thomas Chambers. Has requested that enslaved people who worked for him should be freed and compensated $2,000. His...
GLC09710
Southern Patriot And Commerical Advertiser. [Vol. 16, no. 330 (October 28, 1822)]
28 October 1822
Howard, Robert, 1767-1850
One newspaper published by Robert Howard entitled "Southern Patriot And Commerical Advertiser" dated October 28, 1822. Contains numerous public notices and information regarding public ordinances for the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Of...
GLC09711
Account of Sale of the Personal Property of Wm. G. Dekle Deceased and Hire of Negroes.
1842
Dekle, William G., 1796-1841
One account dated January 1842 entitled, "Account of Sale of the Personal Property of Wm. G. Dekle Deceased and Hire of Negroes." Lists includes named and unnamed enslaved people, amount they were sold for and to who they were sold to, as well as...
GLC09712
[Connecticut Legislature Calls for the Gradual End to the "Great National Evil" of Slavery, 1825]
1 June 1825
Wolcott, Oliver, Jr., 1766-1833
One resolution detailing an assembly in Connecticut which took place on May 1, 1825, regarding the removal of the "great national evil" of slavery as voted by the Ohio legislature. Signed by Secretary, Thomas Day. An official copy printed on the...
GLC09713
[Four pages extracted from a printed folio volume of state laws, 18th century]
1784
Green, Timothy, 1763-1851
One document entitled "Indian, Molatto, and Negro Servants and, Slaves" dated 1784. Pages were extracted from a printed folio volume of state laws. The law imposes a rule that any unaccompanied servant in public without a ticket or pass would be...
GLC09723
[Branding iron]
1800-1900
One branding iron dated circa. 1800-1900. Features the initials B.C.C. The item was likely used on enslaved people.
GLC09727
The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom. [Vol. 7, no. 728 (April 12, 1788)]
12 April 1788
Oswald, Eleazer, 1755-1795
One newspaper published by Eleazer Oswald entitled "The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom" dated April 12, 1788. The newspaper features advertisements and news on shipping. Of particular note is a petition by Prince Hall against the...
GLC09728
to Moses Walker's mother
January 18, 1854
Walker, Moses, fl. 1854
One letter dated Hootersville, Upson County, Georgia, January 18, 1854, from Moses Walker to his mother who resided at another plantation. Details his life on the plantation, collecting 260 pounds of cotton that he had not received his payment for...
GLC09729
to Sylvia Weiner
February 5, 1945
Weiner, Morris "Moe", 1909-1988
Moe says he read a book about abolitionists. He also says he enjoyed Sylvia's description of the Rosenblum home, though it sounds like they have too many hobbies.
GLC09414.1329
The Child's Anti-Slavery Book: Containing a Few Words About American Slave Children. And Stories of Slave-Life.
1859
American Tract Society
This is a children's storybook filled with tales of slavery. There are 5 sections. The first is about the institution of slavery and explaining to children what slavery means. The second through the fifth sections are stories about particular people.
GLC09624
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass
1881
Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895
Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, is a biography of Frederick Douglass. This book is broken down into 41 chapters in two parts. There is also an appendix at the end of the book. There are 18 engravings throughout the book.
GLC09659
[Photograph of Lillian Davis]
January 31, 1991
Carson, Richard, fl. 1991
One black-and-white image taken by Richard Carson dated January 31, 1991 for the Houston Chronicle. Pictured is Lillian Davis for a Black History Month assignment. She holds a portrait of her grandparents who were formerly enslaved people, Mitchell...
GLC09854
"Constitution of the State of Virginia and Ordinances Adopted by the Convention which Assembled at Alexandria."
February 13, 1864
Turner, D., fl. 1864
One pamphlet entitled, "Constitution of the State of Virginia and Ordinances Adopted by the Convention which Assembled at Alexandria," dated February 13, 1864. Includes new text that bans enslavement unless it is for a criminal offense. Also creates...
GLC09857
to Parents
13 March 1864
Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892
It is tough to realize that it has already been 18 months since he first joined the army. Back then, "we were quite confident of a speedy success." Thought he would be back by the following spring. "Today everything denotes that we may confidently...
GLC09355.051
[Collection of Barwood James]
1863-1870
Barwood, James, fl. 1863-1870
Three letters, two of war date, from a British-born American seaman. One written during the siege of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1863. He offers fine detail on life aboard Civil War naval vessels, as well as the conflicted attitudes of many...
GLC09358
to Bill
February 5, 1863
writes at great length about slavery and abolition. thinks the institution of slavery is repugnant, but at the same time, thinks it helped to introduce blacks to civilization and that they are better off now than they were before.
GLC09358.1
[Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy]
1850-1851
Journal of the U.S.S. Portsmouth of the African Squadron, U.S. Navy, organized to protect legitimate American trading activity in western Africa, as well as to suppress "the Slave trade, so far as the Citizens of Flag of the U.S. may be found engaged...
GLC09362
to a cousin
16 November 1846
Brown, Neill, fl. 1846
[Slavery] From Cleveland, Ohio to a cousin in North Carolina: "I am here surrounded by abolitionists, yea in the very hot bed of this class of people.… Three weeks since there was a negroe woman who said she was a fugitive slave from Mississippi, got...
GLC09373
"In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union..."
February 3, 1820
"In Senate Of The United States…The bill from the House of Representatives , entitled 'An act for the admission of the state of Maine into the Union,' …being under consideration, …Mr. Thomas proposed to amend the said amendments, by adding… : …in all...
GLC09376
[Receipt for sale of slaves]
20 November 1863
Rhett, James M., fl. 1863
Receipt for $40,000 paid by James M., Charles H. and Roland Rhett, "being the cash payment on the purchase of one hundred and seven negros, leaving a balance due secured by Bond and Mortgage of Eighty eight thousand and four hundred dollars." Signed...
GLC09380
GLC09380.1
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