American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

Sale 1310

Live

| Cincinnati

Feb 27 | 10:00 AM EST

Live

| Cincinnati

Lot 201

[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Letter from a Virginia enslaver describing the management of a plantation and its enslaved labor. N.p. [Virginia], 15 February 1852.

Lot 201

[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Letter from a Virginia enslaver describing the management of a plantation and its enslaved labor. N.p. [Virginia], 15 February 1852.

Status:

Closed

Estimate: $300 - $500

Estimate$300 – $500

Status

Closed

[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Letter from a Virginia enslaver describing the management of a plantation and its enslaved labor. N.p. [Virginia], 15 February 1852.

2pp, 7 3/4 x 9 3/4 in. (creasing at folds, loss on address leaf).

Henry E. Edmunds (1814-1910) writes to his brother-in-law Samuel Hannah (1792-1859) regarding management of a plantation in Virginia: "I determined at once I would hire the men hands out & keep only the women & children on the farm to make what they could & take care of the plantation. I was fortunate enough to hire the 5 men to Mr. Thomas Harvey near R.C. for $135 apiece to work on the South Side R Road & I understand they are well pleased & doing well they are working some when in the neighborhood of Walker's Church & are permitted to come to see the wives once in four or five weeks...." Edmunds later refers to the escape of 90 slaves from the Kanawha region of western Virginia, an area near the Ohio border which utilized enslaved labor to operate the salt mines which permeated the area. "I see from the papers 90 negroes have run off from Kanawha. I hope you have lost none of yours if I was living in Kanawha after such a stampede as that I would start to run over this way as as fast I could come."

The 1850 U.S. Federal Slave Schedule indicates that Edmunds enslaved at least 29 men, women, and children in Charlotte, Virginia. His letter provides a glimpse into the ways in which enslaved labor in Virginia was utilized beyond plantation-based agricultural production, while still subjecting enslaved persons to forced familial separations and difficult labor conditions.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Freeman's I Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Freeman's I Hindman.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

Please email historicalephemera@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.

Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

katiehorstman@freemansauction.com 513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

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American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Letter from a Virginia enslaver describing the management of a plantation and its enslaved labor. N.p. [Virginia], 15 February 1852.

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