1680-1800

Object

Title: [Middle Passage iron bilboes or leg irons, late 17th or 18th century]

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 been flattened to make it too big to be removed from the cuffs. The other end of the rod has a loop that is attached to an iron circle. The circle can be used to attach the item to another.

GLC09708

1700-1800

Object

Title: [Hand-forged iron shackles, 18th-19th century]

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 shackles or a chain. At the opening of the cuffs there are oval shaped links that close the shackles off and allow for a lock to be placed. Possibly used on enslaved people.

GLC09709

1800-1900

Object

Title: [Branding iron]

One branding iron dated circa. 1800-1900. Features the initials B.C.C. The item was likely used on enslaved people.

GLC09727

12 April 1788

Oswald, Eleazer, 1755-1795

Newspaper

Title: The Independent Gazetteer; Or, The Chronicle of Freedom. [Vol. 7, no. 728 (April 12, 1788)]

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 kidnapping of African American seamen. The petition was presented to the General Court of Massachusetts. It enlightens the court of discontent due to the kidnapping of freed African American sailors who were sold into slavery. It asks that actions be taken to protect the African American sailors in Boston so that they no longer have to live in…

GLC09728

22 October 1864

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter

Title: to Harriet Moore [incomplete]

References receiving her letter of 22 September. Talks about the latest accounts of the elections. Says he is sorry to hear Pennsylvania has probably gone copperhead and that "If she goes for McClellan all I have to say is that I hope the rebels may desolate the state from end to end." Claims that "The men who vote in favor of slavery after the experience of the last few years, are only fit to be slaves themselves, and the sooner they become so, the better." Says New York is the only state to make provisions for sailors to vote and that they received their blank ballots recently. Says 7 on…

GLC03836.76

February 24, 1865

West, Lewis H., 1829-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Harriet Moore

References her letter of 28 January. Reports that he heard of the news of the fall of Charleston. Says that all the ports into the Confederacy are now closed and that Mexico is the only way to bring goods into the South now. Reports that "The rebel cavalry on the main land are hunting the negroes to drive up the country and have shot some of them. I carried off from the main, the other day a party of eighty of all ages and both sexes. There were some infants a week or two old and some very old people among them." Says he put them on a plantation on St. Catherine's Island and made a raid to…

GLC03836.86

4 January 1858

Hammond, Amos, fl. 1858

Document signed

Title: [Receipt of payment for a slave named Delia]

Allen J. Poole pays eight hundred dollars for "a negro girl named Delia about fourteen years old..." Signed and sealed by John M. [Dovey?]. Signed by Hammond as Notary Public. Cosigned by N. I. Hammond. Includes an A. W. Hammond, Notary Public, Atlanta, Georgia embossed seal.

GLC06261.01.02

2 November 1864 - 3 November 1864

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, brother-in-law, and sister

Written near the Chattahoochee River in Georgia. He writes that the weather has been poor as it continues to rain. Assumes that by the time his family receives the letter the army will have moved from their currently location to an unknown destination. They are expected to be ready to move out by 4 November. The men have heard that the 20th Corps and the Army of the Tennessee are preparing to conduct a large raid. The troops have prepared 50 days worth of rations and have sent all their heavy baggage and equipment to the rear. Writes that he visited Atlanta, Georgia and was interested in the…

GLC07460.105

25 November 1865

Bogert, John A., fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert

Bogert replies to a 9 November 1865 letter from his parents. Relates the location of other regimental colonels, and states that he has $40,000 which he intends to pay for an unspecified purpose. Relates seeing Generals Stewart Lyndon Woodford, who served as Colonel of the 103rd United States Colored Troops, and General Littlefield (possibly Milton Littlefield) at Hilton Head, South Carolina. States that after a ship carrying clothing sprung a leak off the shore near Darien, Georgia, he was able to purchase a black military overcoat for $9. Relates that his duty in Thomasville primarily…

GLC06298.06

6 December 1824

Manuscript document

Title: Account of sales of the personal estate of Thomas Winn

Lists property sold by the estate of Thomas Winn, with name of purchaser and amount paid listed for each item. Property sold includes enslaved people, animals, tools, foodstuffs and furniture. John Winn and George Winn purchased several items from the estate. Docket also lists the hiring of three enslaved people.

GLC03434.60

6 October 1838

Winn, George, 1793-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Winn

Reporting on crops and the low prices of slaves. George quotes a previous letter from his brother regarding the purchase of slaves, and questions whether the price had already been agreed upon. Although they want to keep the slaves in the family, and avoid "the risque of going to a trader" George believes he paid for them through his share of the estate and will not take them at any other price. Expressing a wish to keep peace in the family, George informs John he will buy his slaves in Kentucky, where they are inexpensive. Also discusses a drought that has harmed corn and tobacco crops.

GLC03434.65

5 August 1809

Ware, Samuel, fl. 1809

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Promissory note from Samuel Ware to the estate of George Garrett]

Ware promises to sell off his property to repay a debt to George Garrett's estate, of which Benjamin Faulkner is a trustee. Ware will sell off ten slaves, who are named, a horse, cattle, and other goods, to be sold to "the highest bidder" to pay debts owed Garrett's estate. Also signed by John Thurston, David A. Wilson and Elizabeth Thurston as witnesses. Attested to by court clerk, Thomas Muse, on docket, dated 20 February 1810. Docket also signed by Ware, Muse, Wilson and John and Elizabeth Thurston.

GLC03434.77

3 January 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 13, no. 260 (January 3, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. In response to an article in the "Chicago Tribune," front page has an article mockingly titled "New Orleans Ruined!-Cotton Doomed!" that says the city's markets will survive if New Yorkers eliminate tolls on Erie Canal. Front page reference to the Henry Winter Davis proposal to keep the peace between North and South. The Daily Crescent rejects it out of hand. Front page essay titled "Secession vs. Co-Operation" by "A Citizen" rejects cooperation, i.e. talks, with the North and says "Redress for past injuries and security for the future are all that the people of…

GLC05960.02.02

25 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 45 (April 25, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Front page is filled with military notices and advertisements for men to volunteer for various units. Copy of Robert Anderson's dispatch to Secretary of War Simon Cameron after the fall of Fort Sumter. Telegraphed updates from throughout the country, including one blurb referring to Northern troops as abolitionists: "Abolition Troops at Cairo." Reprint of report from "Charleston Mercury" that describes how the news of the fall of Fort Sumter was received by abolitionists in Washington D.C. Several slave advertisements.

GLC05960.02.12

2 January 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 13, no. 259 (January 2, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Contains article "We Must Act Promptly" in regards to the "trouble between South Carolina and the General Government." This front-page article criticizes President Buchanan for inconsistencies in his actions towards South Carolina. The front page also contains infomration on South Carolina troops seizing the state arsenal and Arkansas and Alabama's secession status. An editorial on page 4 titled "Coercion" criticizes a recent article in the "New York Evening Post" which stated that Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana could not secede from the Union. The editor…

GLC05960.02.01

7 January 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 13, no. 263 (January 7, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Front page: List of the Louisiana Southern Rights Ticket at the State Convention; article titled "A Southern Congress," says South Carolina has called for a Congress of the seceded Southern states -- asks "Shall Louisiana be absent?"; article titled "Abolition Mendacity," which says "The Abolitionists now deny that there is such a thing as property in slaves" and goes on to say that the Founders recognized slaves as property in treaties with Britain; article on "Mr. Semmes Speech" -- Thomas Semmes was a member of the state convention considering secession;…

GLC05960.02.04

8 January 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 13, no. 264 (January 8, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Results of elections to State Convention from New Orleans. A full ticket of secessionists is to be sent. References to Mississippi state convention, military preparations in Mississippi - including a call for the resignation of Secretary of the Interior Jacob Thompson, and a secessionist majority in Georgia legislature. Copy of General John E. Wool's pro-Unionist letter. Brief paragraph on the murder of a slaveowner by his slave, who used an axe to commit the deed in Augusta, Georiga. Page 4 article on the destruction of "Die Union," an abolitionist German…

GLC05960.02.05

18 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 39 (April 18, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Published 6 days after the start of the war. Issue filled with military news, including troops movements. Contains "Full Particulars" of the "First Day's Bombardment of Fort Sumter." Update on the Virginia state convention of secession. Includes news of Confederate policies from Montgomery. Page 2 article on European machinations in Mexico. Page 4 article says "every true Southerner" is subscribing to a loan for the defense of the Confederacy, causing an uptick in the Confederate markets. Page 4 blurb says "Mr. Lincoln's cabinet are very anxious to keep up…

GLC05960.02.08

22 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 42 (April 22, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Three columns of local military news on front page. Story about a local abolitionist, John Pike, who was arraigned before the New Orleans mayor -- he was released since no one would appear against him. It is believed he left the city directly afterward. Update on secessionists in Missouri. Blurbs state the governor of Delaware has not responded to a call for troops, Major Robert Anderson was presented with a sword to cheers in New York, and the Arkansas state convention will meet on 6 May. Correspondence from Havana, Key West, Texas, and California. Latest…

GLC05960.02.09

23 April 1861

Nixon, J.O., fl. 1861

Newspaper

Title: New Orleans daily crescent. [Vol. 14, no. 43 (April 23, 1861)]

Published at 70 Camp Street. Front page article says the Confederacy has seized Harper's Ferry. Account of the capture of the steamship "Star of the West." Local news says "Abolition Sympathsizers to be Looked After." The meeting named ex-Brigadier General Palfrey to lead the efforts to watch over the abolitionists. Several stories of abolitionists in the South. One story says a bald aboltionist lost his hair because of his sentiments. Says free slaves have been posing as slaves and visiting real slaves in New Orleans. The newspaper says "It would be a good joke to catch and sell a few."…

GLC05960.02.10

10 October 1854

Broadside

Title: Tennessee Slave Sale

Estate sale including "Elisha a negro woman...& her child Lucinda...Terms Cash..."Manuscript attached below printed "Clerk's Sale" banner.

GLC08293

May 1, 1807

Marshall, John, 1755-1835

Autograph letter signed

Title: Disposition of property, money and slaves for a local estate.

"Your sales under the circumstances I have stated with convey a good title. It will only be necessary to levy an executive on the slaves & get them."

GLC08340

1 November 1864

Broadside

Title: [Black soldiers]

"God save the republic. Never in field or tent scorn a black regiment." Issued "in commemoration of emancipation in Maryland." With George Boker's Poem 'The Black Regiment', and vignettes of colored troops in battle, slaves on the auction block, quotes from J. Q. Adams, Andrew Johnson, The Bible, Jefferson, Washington, P. Henry, Jackson, etc. Published in Philadelphia: Rigwalt and Brown

GLC08358

January 21, 1847

Bryan, Matt, fl. 1847

Autograph letter signed

Title: to W. Williamson

Bryan writes, "I brought the subject of the decree in Washburn v. Washburn before the Court - The Ch: Just: [Chief Justice] says that the Jeffs[?] have a right to sell the Negroes under the decree in as much as they are to be delivered to them & they can do as they please with them." Written to Williamson in North Carolina.

GLC06451.065

1 December 1862

Morse, N.S., fl. 1862-1864

Newspaper

Title: Daily chronicle & sentinel. [Vol. 25, no. 277 (December 1, 1862)]

List of Generals in Regular Confederate Army. An editorial discusses the idea that Lincoln will abandon the Emancipation Proclamation, which was designed as a military move, and another guest editorial works to define independence in terms of government. Two articles describe the violent deaths of Georgia soldiers at the hands of Yankees, one of them as a prisoner of war and the other in battle. The paper includes Senate and House reports from the Georgia Legislature in Milledgeville. Lists of Ladies Volunteer Societies have names and contributions. This issue also lists members of Georgia…

GLC05959.07.01