[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. MATTHEWS, Nathaniel. Autograph letter signed ("Nathaniel Matthews"), to R.W. Vasser, with details of 10 enslaved individuals. Richmond, VA, 9 December 1849.
Sale 1118 - African Americana
Feb 28, 2023
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
Estimate
$600 -
$800
Sold for $3,465
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[SLAVERY & ABOLITION]. MATTHEWS, Nathaniel. Autograph letter signed ("Nathaniel Matthews"), to R.W. Vasser, with details of 10 enslaved individuals. Richmond, VA, 9 December 1849.
2 pages, 4to, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in., with address panel on integral leaf with Richmond postal stamp, toned, old creases.
Nathaniel Matthews writes to R.W. Vasser informing him that Matthew's brother John is traveling for north Alabama with the "ten negroes six young men and four women" purchased on Vasser's behalf. He continues with commentary on the price and the changing market: "I have paid very high for the negroes I purchased for you but it was the Best that could be done here and I calculated you wanted them and there is no chance to buy for less...in this market all the time now fresh swarms of planters from Georgia to buy negroes which keeps this market up all the time."
The enslaved individuals are listed with the price paid for each: Nancy, $595; George, $675; Nancy, $645; Tom $740; Daniel, $745; Jackson, $770; Jane, $535; Martin, $775; Daniel Lewis, $775; and Betsey, $585.
R.W. Vasser is likely Richard Whitehead Vasser (1800-1864) of Athens, Alabama. The 1840 census lists 3 enslaved individuals, increasing to 9 individuals listed in the 1850 Federal Slave Census, to 45 enslaved in the 1860 Federal Slave Census.
This lot is located in Cincinnati.
Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana, and Historical Documents
Condition Report
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