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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819 [Warrant to the Halifax County jailer to hold three slaves convicted of participating in the Easter Plot]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06338.07 Author/Creator: Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819 Place Written: Halifax County, Virginia Type: Document signed Date: 18 April 1802 Pagination: 1 p. : docket Height: 19.8 cm, Width: 20.4 cm Order a Copy

Spragins orders the Halifax County jail keeper to receive into custody "the body of" Absolam, belonging to John Hillard (in GLC 6336.01 "Absalum" belonging to John "Hilyard"), Bob, belonging to Peter Barksdale, and Martin, belonging to Henry Bass. Docket indicates this is a mittimus (a type of warrant). Spragins was a justice of the peace.

"...charged and convicted before me with consulting and conspireing to rebel and make insurrection and you the said Jailor are hereby required to...them safely keep till they shall be thence discharged by due course of Law."

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819
Sancho, ?-1802

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