[SLAVERY]. Letter regarding the separation of enslaved wives and husbands at auction. 23 March 1826.

ALS from Isaac H. Williams to Daniel F. Slaughter of Fairfax, [VA]. Fredericksburg [VA], 23 March 1826.

One page, 7 x 12 3/8 in. Verso with ANS from Daniel F. Slaughter to business associate William Ashby, listing enslaved persons to be sold by name and age. Address panel also on verso.

Williams is reaching out to Slaughter to ask him and his business associate, William Ashby, to handle the sale of a number of enslaved persons owned by Williams. He writes, in part:

"It is painful to seperate [sic] all them from their wives & husbands but I have no alternitive [sic]. I hereby authorize you to do whatever you may think best & to act precisely as you would act for yourself. I would prefer Mr. Ashby selling Harriet & her children together if it can be done..."

He then begins to give specific details about individual enslaved persons, in part: "Spencer has a sore leg which I wish you to inform Mr. Ashby of Harriet's eldest daughter has one defective hand this will affect her value...notwithstanding this defect there is not a more valuable negro for any kind of work. Sam must be secured in the first instance & well guarded or he will make his escape."

He gives additional guidance on how he would prefer certain family groups to be sold together, but ultimately puts his trust in Slaughter and Ashby to do what they will.

Slaughter's note on verso lists the following individuals: Harriet - aged 40 and her six children to wit - Rachel - 16. Spencer 13. Henry 11. Franklin 7. Philip 5. Margaret 3. Sam a man about 30."

Daniel F. Slaughter (1799-1882) was a prominent Virginian planter and local politician who married a niece of President James Madison, Letitia Madison, in 1825. According to federal censuses and slave schedules, Slaughter owned 9 slaves in 1830, 16 in 1840, 18 in 1850, and 24 in 1860, 13 of whom were under 10 years of age. Slaughter was elected to the Virginia Senate in 1828, and state senate in 1832.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Ephemeral Americana and Historical Documents

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American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

[SLAVERY]. Letter regarding the separation of enslaved wives and husbands at auction. 23 March 1826.

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