18. Manigault, Louis[?]. "Names of New Hands at Gowrie & East Hermitage." 1860? Louis Manigault Papers. (South Carolina)
Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: List names eighteen new hands at Gowie and East Hermitage plantations. It indicates which hands draw their allowances together, the residences of each, and the relation of one to another. Document demonstrates preserverance of slave family ties and ackowledgement of the same by slave owners. But it also makes clear that the slave community was not, nor could it be, a community in and of itself. The four new hands at Gowrie--Celin, Bella, William, and Mathias--are "together for the present in the half of the house next to Robert," but unlike the other new hands who are related to the slaves with whom they live, the new Gowrie hands share no such bonds. At Gowrie, husband and wife Cellin and Bella appear to have been given the responsibility of two slaves to whom they are not at all related, William and Mathias. [Click on the image for a larger version.]
19. "$20 Reward." 5 February 1844. Broadside Collection. Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Broadside announcing a $20 reward for the return of the runaway slave Martin. [Click on the image for a larger version.]
Ranaway from the Subscriber, on the 22nd December last, his negro man MARTIN, aged about 23 years. He has a pleasing countenance, round face, is quick spoken, and can tell a very plausible story; he is shining black, stout built, with large limbs, short fingers, and small feet; the toe next to his great toe has been mashed off.
The above reward will be paid on his delivery to me, or at any Jail in North Carolina.
James R. Wood
Wadesboro', Feb. 5, 1844.
20. "50 Dollars Reward." 2 Janaury 1817. Broadside Collection. Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Broadside announcing a $50 reward for the return of runaway slaves Jacob and Stephen.
Run away on the 17th night of April last, from the subscribers living in Mecklenburg County N.C. near Charlote, two likely young negro fellows (viz.) Jacob and Stephen. Jacob is aboot 23 years of age, stout made, dark complected and his gums of a blackish colour. Stephen is about 21 years of age, stout made, dark complected, and not so thick set as Jacob with a small tear on his under lip cut with a pen knife, and a scar on his throat by a beeling. They set out for Philadelphia, and was last June between Petersburg and Richmond, on their way; they are both smart and active, we will give the above reward and pay all reasonable expences to any persons that will apprehend and confine them, in any Jail so as we get them, or deliver them to us in Charlotte, or 25 dollars for either, and if you secure them write to Charlotte or advertise them in the Richmond Enquirer untill we get them.
ZENAS ALEXANDER
GEORGE ALEXANDER
January, 2d 1817.
21. "Minutes." 1831-1832. Clarke's Station Baptist Church, Wilkes County, Georgia. Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Pages six and seven of Clarke's Station Baptist Church minute book contains "Names of Black male members" and "Names of Black Female members." In places, the list is annotated, such as "deceased Oct 1822," "Dismissed by letter 1822," "Excommunicated 11th September 1826." The black members are mostly slaves, and are thus named with reference to their owners such as "Widow Popes Daniel," and "Martins Abby." One member, however, is named "free Charles."
22. "Journal of Araby Plantation, Parish of Madison Louisiana." 1843-1849. Haller Nutt Papers. (Mississippi) Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Detailed Araby Plantation journal lists daily activities, instructions to overseers, instructions for care of the sick, slave lists, et cetera. The journal contains logs measuring amount of cotton picked by male and female slaves on the plantation.
23. "Weight Negro Cotton made in 1858." William Law Papers. (South Carolina) Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Lists names of about 18 slaves, the amount of cotton brought in on their account, and each slave's credit. Document, along with many others in this collection, reveal some of the workings of the named slaves' internal economy. Most of the names on this particular list are women. Slaves on this list earned almost $60 in cotton for the year. [Click on the image for a larger version.]
24. Manigault, Louis. "Respecting the Cholera amongst the People in Nov[ember] & Dec[ember] 1852." 1 Janaury 1853 [?]. Louis Manigault Papers. (South Carolina) Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Manigault lists a number of sick blacks at his several plantations. He has a habit of leaving marginalia that makes plain his relationship with various slaves on the list. For example, Manigault lists Jack's demise and notes "My old play Mate." He records Stafford's death with the following: "Amos's Son & the finest looking Negro I ever saw." Subtly conveys the tangle of plantation relationships while also making clear the harsh material circumstances of 19th century plantation life.
25. Manigault, Louis. "Prescription Book." 1852. Louis Manigault Papers. (South Carolina) Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: The abstract below from Manigault's prescription book describes a remedy for cholera that is to be given to the slave Stafford.
Rx Stafford Cholera
Calomel 20 grs
Pound Opium 2 grs
mix and make 4 powders
S. One every 2 hours, to be followed by castor oil 6 hours after the last dose provided there is no excessive action by the Calomel upon the bowels.
26. Harris, Elizabeth (Johnson). "Elizabeth Johnson Harris Memoir." 1867-1923. (Georgia) Special Collections Library, Duke University.
Description: Harris tells "A true & laughable Story by My Mother." It is a tale about the time her mother tried on her mistress's clothes, and was then frightened half out of her wits by another slave who watched the affair.