[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. PERALI, Joseph T. Copy of a letter ordering a property vacated on behalf of Thomas M. HOLMES, a free person of color. Charleston, SC, 8 June 186[5.

1p, 7 3/4 x 10 in., creased at folds, with some spotting/discoloration and light wear from handling. Labelled "copy" to upper left and "signed" next to Perali's name.

"Permission is hereby given to Thomas M. Holmes to take possession of the property known as No 62 Liberty St Charleston S.C. He having paid the U.P. taxes on the same and exhibited his receipts at this office. The party or parties now occupying the said premises are hereby notified to vacate the same by the 16 inst."

The 1861 Charleston census lists Thomas M. Holmes as "Thomas M. Holmes, f.p.c." Holmes also served as President of the Colored People's Convention of South Carolina, appearing in the 1865 Proceedings of that convention as such.

Later, Holmes gave a deposition to Congress in 1879, in which he is listed as "Thomas M. Holmes (colored)." In the deposition he testified to residing at No. 2 Liberty Street and belonging to the Republican Party, though he served as the president of a local "colored Democratic club" in 1877. Due to a local contest between Republican E.W.M. Mackey and Democrat M.P. O'Connor, Holmes testifies that a "great number" of "colored people, who were Republicans" told him they voted instead for O'Connor. Holmes was clearly an influential person in his community, and a leader among Charleston's population of free people of color.

Estate of Carroll J. Delery III, Formerly the “Historical Shop”

This lot is located in Cincinnati.