[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Estate inventory document listing 37 enslaved persons, most with names and ages recorded, including 7 who have "sued for their freedom." Bourbon County, KY, 12 September 1823.

7 pages, 7 3/4 x 12 1/4 in. String-bound manuscript document (creasing, some separations at creases including back page fully separated along horizontal crease, few chips to edges and corners, toning). Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of Benjamin Hallack of Bourbon County, KY pursuant to an order of the county court at their May term, 1823. Docketed verso and recorded June 2024.

37 enslaved persons appear in this inventory, 29 of whom are listed under the names of various beneficiaries; one of whom is listed separately, to be sold; and 7 of whom are listed separately still, having sued for their freedom. A 19-year-old enslaved woman named Lucinda, along with her infant child, is given a value of 450 dollars. Among the 7 persons having sued for freedom are 30-year-old Amy, 16-year-old Delia, 11-year-old Charles, 9-year-old Eliza, 7-year-old Killy, 4-year-old Lubis, and 2-year-old Washington, collectively listed as being worth 1,750 dollars.

In the Federal Census of 1810, Benjamin Hallack (1765-1823) is recorded as enslaving 16 persons in Stoner, Bourbon County, KY. By the time of the 1820 census, that number had grown to 21.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

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Katie Horstman

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

[email protected]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.

American Historical Ephemera and Photography, Featuring African Americana

[ENSLAVEMENT & ABOLITION]. Estate inventory document listing 37 enslaved persons, most with names and ages recorded, including 7 who have "sued for their freedom." Bourbon County, KY, 12 September 1823.

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