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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.

Rhett, James M., fl. 1863 [Receipt for sale of slaves]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09380.1 Author/Creator: Rhett, James M., fl. 1863 Place Written: Columbia, South Carolina Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 20 November 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : list ; 13.1 x 21.0 cm. Order a Copy

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 by Louisa S. McCord, Columbia, SC. 1 p. With: MD, [1863], inventory of 37 "Slaves bought from Mrs. Louisa S. M.cCord by James M. Rhett;" presumably his share of the 107 slaves listed above. Each slave is listed by name and age (if known), with a few notations: "Martha (delicate) 28 … Jonas (one arm) 11 … Limerick 38 … Child 1 …Old Lucy 67 … Minty 47 … Joshua (Carpenter) 20 … Malley (Bricklayer) 18." 1 p.

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