Created by

Unidentified

Medium

cotton fabric and cotton batting

Dimensions

H x W x D (On form): 37 × 24 × 20 in. (94 × 61 × 50.8 cm)

Type

quilts

petticoats

Place used

United States, North and Central America

Date

1830s-1840s; repurposed 1890s

Description

This quilted petticoat may have been made from a repurposed wholecloth bedcover or refashioned from a once larger skirt. The front of the textile is faced with a small-scale printed floral vine design in white, yellow, purple, and red blossoms with green leaves on a light brown ground. The back of the textile is faced with an orange striped cotton. A layer of cotton batting was quilted between the front and back facing fabrics. It was hand quilted with off-white cotton thread in an offset grid pattern with a leafy vine border design. The floral printed fabric was turned and hand stitched to the back fabric as binding. The fabrics and quilted motifs indicate it was probably made in the 1830s or 1840s. The fabric may have been imported from France.

The cut textile is turned under and the edges left raw at the interior waistline of the petticoat and the cotton batting can be seen along these raw edges. A small piece of printed cotton with a small-scale repeating design of purple flowers on a yellow ground is stitched at the interior proper left front waist. A long length of off-white cotton twill tape is attached around the back waist to hold gathers in the petticoat. The twill tape remains loose on the front so that the front of the petticoat has a flat silhouette. The petticoat is closed by tying these loose lengths of twill tape at the front waist.The hem of the petticoat is the original binding of the bedcover and the quilted vine border of the bedcover is turned horizontal around the bottom of the petticoat. The textile was probably repurposed into its current form as a petticoat between the 1870s and 1890s due to the flat front and gathered back waist.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Reconstruction (United States History, 1865-1877)

Slavery

United States--History--1865-1921

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Aaron and Maureen Robinson and Family

Object number

2014.180.1

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Clothing-Historical

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Unidentified

Subject of

Phillips, Rhoda, American, 1831 - 1906

Medium

silver amalgam, silver on copper photographic plates

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 2 x 2 1/2 in. (5.1 x 6.4 cm)

Type

daguerreotypes

Place captured

Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1850

Description

A 1/9th plate daguerreotype of Rhoda Phillips (1831-1906), a woman who was born into slavery. She wears a dress with a flower pattern, lace cuffs, and a lace collar. The case is contemporary and has velvet lining.

Topic

African American

Photography

Slavery

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2011.34

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Brown, John, American, 1800 - 1859

Received by

Brown, Mary Ann, American, 1817 - 1884

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 7/8 x 7 7/8 in. (25.1 x 20 cm)

Type

letters (correspondence)

Place made

Rochester, Monroe County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

January 30, 1858

Description

A letter written by John Brown and Frederick Douglass from Rochester, New York, on January 30, 1858, to Brown's wife and children. The letter is handwritten in black ink on the front and back sides of a single sheet of paper. The letter is first written by Brown, who does not sign his portion beyond "Your Affectionate Husband and Father." Brown writes of missing his wife and children very much, but of not being able to visit them. He also asks his daughter Ruth about her husband, Henry Thompson, becoming involved in Brown's "school," coded language for Brown's militant abolitionist dealings. He further speaks of recruiting his sons for his work and requests that the family write to him under the name "N. Hawkins: Care of Fred'k Douglas [sic] Esq'r Rochester N[.] Y." Douglass writes on the lower half of the verso page with his words oriented three different directions to fit the page. He speaks of his friendship with the Brown family and invites any of them to his home, where John Brown is staying, signing as "Fred. Douglass."

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Correspondence

Domestic life

Fatherhood

Government

Resistance

Slavery

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2009.26.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public Domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Twelfth Baptist Church, American, founded 1840

Medium

wood, metal and varnish

Dimensions

39 5/8 x 83 1/4 x 17 1/4 in. (100.6 x 211.5 x 43.8 cm)

Type

pews

Place made

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

mid 19th century

Description

The bench is varnished with a dark brown paint that is chipped in several places, revealing a lighter, golden brown grained wood underneath. The right panel of the pew is carved with a simple design and consists of one solid piece of wood while the left panel is made of three separate panels of wood. There are nails protruding and cracks in the wood where the seat and backrest of the pew are joined to the left panel. Spaced evenly along the top of the backrest are five metal oval plates carved with numbers. On the back of the backrest, at the center, are four nail holes placed in a rectangular formation where a hymn book rack was most likely once attached.

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Religious groups

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Vilna Shul, Boston's Center for Jewish Culture, Inc.

Object number

2014.69

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Religious and Sacred Objects

Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Hall, Prince, 1735 - 1807

Medium

bronze

Dimensions

1 3/16 × 1 3/16 × 1/16 in. (3 × 3 × 0.2 cm)

Type

medals

Date

after 1807

Description

A bronze medal depicting Prince Hall and the style of Freemasonry he founded. The obverse features a design of three concentric circles. The innermost circle bears a likeness of Price Hall in relief around which is the text [PRINCE HALL / 1748 / 1807]. The middle ring has text along the bottom that reads [JURISDICTION]. The outer ring features text around the circumference of the medal that reads [FRDSP · MRLTY · BTHLY LVE / F. & A.M.]. The reverse bears a number of Masonic symbols such as the all-seeing eye, square & compass, and the text [UNUM CENTUM].

Topic

African American

Freemasonry

Men

Slavery

United States--History--1783-1815

United States--History--Colonial period

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.16

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Memorabilia and Ephemera

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Composed by

Bliss, Philip Paul, American, 1838 - 1876

Sankey, Ira D.

Owned by

Tubman, Harriet, American, 1822 - 1913

Medium

ink on paper, cardboard

Dimensions

H x W x D: 8 3/16 x 5 3/8 x 9/16 in. (20.8 x 13.7 x 1.4 cm)

Type

books

Date

1876

Caption

Gospel Hymns No. 2, by P. P. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey, Harriet Tubman’s personal book of hymns.

Description

Book of hymns by P.P. Bliss and Ira D. Sankey, 112-pages, discolored cover with black printing, text and binding. Text reads "Gospel hymns No. 2, BY PP. BLISS AND IRA D. SANKEY AS USED BY THEM IN GOSPEL MEETINGS."

Topic

African American

Emancipation

Gospel (Music)

Religion

Slavery

United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles L. Blockson

Object number

2009.50.25

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Hinkle, David, American, 1837 - 1916

Subject of

Bell, John R., American, died 1898

Signed by

Bell, John R., American, died 1898

Subject of

Nields, Henry C., American, 1838 - 1880

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper on card mount

Dimensions

H x W (image): 5 7/8 × 4 1/8 in. (15 × 10.4 cm)

H x W (sheet): 6 1/2 × 4 1/4 in. (16.5 × 10.8 cm)

Type

cabinet photographs

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date

1885

Caption

John R. Bell was a steward on the Battleship Maine. Bell officially joined the Navy in 1871, although he may have begun his service as a servant to a naval officer during the Civil War. Prior to the Maine, he served on the St. Louis and Lancaster. He was known as a very kind man, beloved by the sailors on the ships he served. When the Maine was lost in Havana harbor in 1898, Bell was one of the missing men whose body was never recovered from the wreckage.

Description

A black-and-white cabinet card portrait of John R. Bell. He is pictured from the waist up and is looking directly at the camera. He has a mustache and goatee and is wearing a dark colored naval jacket over a dark colored necktie and white shirt. The jacket is double breasted with large buttons. A tie tack in the shape of an anchor adorns his necktie. The back of the photograph is inscribed "to Paul," and signed by John R. Bell, dated "Christmas 1885." A second inscription reads, "John R. Bell, with Lieutenant Commander Henry C. Neilds USN, Christmas 1885." The back also has the photographer’s mark, [Hinkle / 4739 & 41 / MAIN STREET GERMANTOWN PA.], at center.

Topic

African American

Military

Photography

Slavery

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family

Object number

2018.43.7

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Collection title

Liljenquist Family Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Beardsley, Jefferson, American, 1833 - 1895

Subject of

Irvine, Julia Josephine, American, 1848 - 1930

Owned by

Howland, Emily, American, 1827 - 1929

Medium

albumen and silver on photographic paper on card mount

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 3 13/16 × 2 3/8 in. (9.7 × 6 cm)

H x W (Image and Mount): 4 3/16 × 2 1/2 in. (10.6 × 6.3 cm)

Type

cartes-de-visite

albumen prints

portraits

Place depicted

Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1875

Description

Carte-de-visite of Miss Julia J. Thomas shown in quarter portrait. Thomas is facing the camera, but her head is turned one quarter to her right and she looks off camera. Her naturally curly hair is loosely gathered behind her back. She wears a heavily embellished dark colored bodice with a white ruffled standing collar and a dark lace bow tied at the front of her neck. The bottom portion of the image is purposefully faded in the popular style of the time. There is a border printed in gold ink surrounding the outside edges of the card mount.

Handwritten in ink on the back of the photograph is the text, "Julia J. Thomas / First Scholar in Greek / at Cornell. / Graduate June 1875." Below the handwritten text is Beardsley's mark.

The photograph is housed in the album 2017.30. The album page has a triple-lined, gold border framing the print. Handwritten in graphite inside the bottom border of the printed frame of the album page is the text "Miss Julia J. Thomas". Handwritten in graphite at the lower left corner of the album page is the text "1st GREEK SCHOLAR IN GREEK / at CORNELL Grad. June 1875".

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Education

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture shared with the Library of Congress

Object number

2017.30.12

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Collection title

Emily Howland Photograph Album

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Unidentified

Subject of

Hall, Maria Miller, American, 1831 - 1913

Owned by

Howland, Emily, American, 1827 - 1929

Medium

albumen and silver on photographic paper on card mount

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 3 9/16 × 2 1/8 in. (9 × 5.4 cm)

H x W (Image and Mount): 4 × 2 3/8 in. (10.1 × 6.1 cm)

Type

cartes-de-visite

albumen prints

portraits

Place depicted

Jamestown, Chautauqua County, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1864

Description

Carte-de-visite of Maria Miller Woodhull Hall photographed in bust portrait. Her face is turned one quarter to her right and she looks off camera. She is wearing a black cap with ruffled or ribbon details on the back of her head and a plaid dress with a large oval brooch at her front neck. Hall's head is at the center of the print, with the background behind it fading at the edges in the popular style of the time. There is a double-lined border printed in gold ink surrounding the outside edges of the card mount.

Handwritten in graphite at the bottom of the photograph is the text "Mrs. Maj. Hall / 1864". Handwritten in ink on the back of the photograph "Mrs. W. C. J. Hall / Jamestown / N.Y."

The photograph is housed in the album 2017.30. The album page has a triple-lined, gold border framing the print. Handwritten on the page in the lower left corner in graphite is the text "JAMESTOWN NY".

Topic

African American

Antislavery

Photography

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture shared with the Library of Congress

Object number

2017.30.3

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Emily Howland Photograph Album

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Medium

wood, glass, thread, cloth, paint, wool (hair), and bast fiber

Dimensions

Woodcarving: 24 × 18 9/16 × 8 1/2 in. (61 × 47.2 × 21.6 cm)

Type

carvings

Place purchased

Ghana, West Africa, Africa

Date

19th century

Description

This object is a poly-chrome, three-dimensional, woodcarving depicting a male slave trader and a female slave standing on an elongated oval platform. Both figures are standing upright and facing the same direction with the male figure behind the female figure. The male figure is significantly larger than the female figure. He has short hair and is wearing a dark three-piece suit, belt with belt buckle, white collared shirt and a dark neck tie. There are two, small white objects in his left and right breast coat pockets. His proper right hand has a drilled hole through the fist. His proper left hand is slightly forward and he is holding a length of cord connected to the female figure. The cord ties her hands behind her back and wraps around her neck in a noose. The female figure is bald, wearing light colored earrings and is nude with the exception of a light colored breechcloth and four strings (two dark strings, two light strings) of glass beads around the waist. A piece of light cloth has been tied around the female figure’s upper torso.

Topic

African American

Africa

Art

Slavery

Trans Atlantic slave trade

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2014.122.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Issued by

American Colonization Society, American, 1816 - 1964

Received by

Cresson, Sarah Emlen, American

Signed by

Madison, James, American, 1751 - 1836

Gurley, Ralph Randolph, American, 1797 - 1872

Cresson, Elliott, American, 1797 - 1854

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W: 9 x 11 3/8 in. (22.9 x 28.9 cm)

Type

membership cards

Place made

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

February 22, 1832

Description

A membership certificate to the American Colonization Society for Sarah Emlen Cresson signed by James Madison as the president of the society on February 22, 1832. The certificate has pre-printed text with spaces for filling in the date and member name by hand. At the center top of the certificate is a bundle of dark clouds with a half-circle of sun rays bursting from it. At the center bottom is a seal that shows a ship following a bird across the ocean to Liberia with text in the outer rim reading "LUX IN TENEBRIS / AM: COL: SOC: A.D. 1816." The seal is surrounded by various types of foliage. The certificate is signed in the bottom left corner by "R.R. Gurley, Secretary" and in the bottom right corner by "James Madison Presed't" inside the lined border of the certificate, and in the bottom left corner outside the border "Attest / Elliott Cresson / 1 mo 8. 1834". The reverse is blank.

Topic

African American

Emancipation

Free communities of color

International affairs

Local and regional

Race relations

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2010.77.9

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Manufactured by

India Rubber Comb Company, 1854 - 1890

Subject of

Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium

cotton cloth with vulcanized rubber buttons

Dimensions

H x W (flat): 53 3/4 × 29 1/4 in. (136.5 × 74.3 cm)

Type

dresses

Date

1865-1875

Description

A brown and cream striped cotton day dress from the Civil War era. The dress has a fitted collarless bodice that buttons at the center front with six (6) black vulcanized rubber buttons marked on the reverse "I.R.C. Co. / 1851. / GOODYEAR". The fitted full-length sleeves have a detail at the wrist with the fabric sewn on the bias. Self-piping is sewn at the gathered waistband, which is more heavily gathered in the back. The skirt is full with a wide hem that falls at or below the ankles. The dress is both machine and hand sewn. The bodice and sleeves are lined with a plain cotton muslin. The skirt is not lined. There is one inset pocket at the proper right hip, with the pocket made from plain cotton muslin.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Fashion

United States--Social life and customs

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Black Fashion Museum founded by Lois K. Alexander-Lane

Object number

2007.3.34

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Black Fashion Museum Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Clothing-Historical

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver on iron photographic plate with wood and velvet

Dimensions

H x W x D (Closed): 3 5/8 × 3 3/8 × 5/8 in. (9.2 × 8.6 × 1.6 cm)

H x W x D (Open): 3 5/8 × 6 9/16 × 3/8 in. (9.2 × 16.7 × 1 cm)

Type

tintypes

portraits

Place collected

Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1865

Description

This 1/6 plate tintype photograph depicts a young woman with a baby. The young woman is seated, wearing a dark colored dress and light colored lace collar. She stands the baby up on her lap. The baby wears a long, light-colored dress and has tinted pink cheeks. The tintype is housed in a wooden case with gilt highlighting, gold colored metal framing and red velvet lining.

Topic

African American

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2008.9.16

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

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Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

United States Mint, American, founded 1792

Designed by

Paquet, Anthony C., German, 1814 - 1882

Commissioned by

Gen. Butler, Benjamin Franklin, American, 1818 - 1893

Medium

copper

Dimensions

Diameter: 1 9/16 in. (4 cm)

Type

medallions (medals)

Place made

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date

1865

Description

An Army of the James Medal, also known as The Butler Medal, consisting of an unpierced copper medal with no suspender or attached ribbon. The front of the medal contains an engraved wreath of what appears to be holly with a bow at the center and a single five-sided star flanking the lower left and right side of the wreath. Around the outside of the wreath are the words, "DISTINGUISHED FOR SERVICE." At the center of the wreath are the words, "CAMPAIGN BEFORE RICHMOND / 1864."The reverse side of the medal is engraved with a depiction of a group of African American soldiers storming a Confederate occupied military fort. Surrounding the engraving are Latin words within an unfurled banner "FERRO IIS LIBERTAS PERVENIET." Below the engraving are the words, "U.S. COLORED TROOPS."

Topic

African American

Military

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2011.155.307

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Awards and Medals

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Written by

Douglass, Frederick, American, 1818 - 1895

Medium

printing ink on rag paper

Dimensions

H x W x D (framed): 95 × 48 5/8 × 2 3/4 in. (241.3 × 123.5 × 7 cm)

H x W: 93 3/4 × 46 1/4 in. (238.1 × 117.5 cm)

Type

broadsides

Place made

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

Date

1863

Description

Large three-sheet broadside promoting "Men of Color" to enlist in the Army; text printed in relief with carved wood type and cast letterpress/metal type. Text reads "MEN OF COLOR To Arms! To Arms!"

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Military

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

201Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.133

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Manufactured by

Unidentified

Subject of

Hampton University, American, founded 1868

Hunt, Richard Morris, American, 1827 - 1895

American Missionary Association, American, 1846 - 1999

Hampton Singers, American, founded 1870

Medium

clay

Dimensions

H x W x D: 2 1/2 × 8 5/8 × 4 1/8 in. (6.4 × 21.9 × 10.5 cm)

Type

blocks (shaped masses)

Place used

Hampton, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1874

Caption

Brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall, Hampton University, 1874

Hampton University is one of the first historically black universities. Located in Hampton, Virginia, it was founded in 1868 as the Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School by the American Missionary Association. By 1874, the college was successful enough to build Virginia-Cleveland Hall, an impressive structure that housed classrooms, a chapel, administration offices, and dormitories. Students help fund the Hall through ticket sales from the student choral group, the Hampton Singers.

Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom

Description

A brick from Virginia-Cleveland Hall at Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. The brick is rectangular in shape and is tan in color with darker grey areas throughout. The brick is cracked in several places and is pitted.

Topic

African American

Building Arts

Education

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, a gift from Hampton University

Object number

2015.228

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Buildings and Structures

Exhibition

Slavery and Freedom

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Owned by

Old Slave Mart Museum, American, founded 1937

Medium

gourd with wood and metal

Dimensions

H x W x D: 7 × 26 1/2 × 2 1/2 in. (17.8 × 67.3 × 6.4 cm)

Type

banjos

Place made

United States, North and Central America

Date

ca. 1859

Description

Banjo constructed with a gourd head. There are four (4) tuning pegs, some chipped, in the headstock. One (1) wire is strung along the banjo. Two (2) other strings are connected to the tailpiece but are loose over the gourd. There are frets on the neck. The round gourd has linear decoration around the edge. There is a tin tailpiece at the bottom anchoring the strings. There are scratches on the back of the gourd.

Topic

African American

African diaspora

Bluegrass (Music)

Folk (Music)

Folklife

Music

Slavery

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2017.108.19

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Musical Instruments

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Owned by

Crawford, James T., American, 1857 - 1943

Subject of

Crawford, James T., American, 1857 - 1943

Smith, W. C., American, born 1870

Signed by

Johnson, James L., American, born 1849

Johnson, Linnie T., American, 1856 - 1934

Grafton, William, American, born 1868

Duncan, John H., American, born 1869

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W (Unfolded): 13 3/4 × 8 1/2 in. (34.9 × 21.6 cm)

H x W (closed): 8 1/2 × 3 9/16 in. (21.6 × 9 cm)

Type

deeds

Place made

Hill Top, Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date

February 7, 1903

Description

A land deed for property in Fayette County, West Virginia owned by the Crawford family. The quarter-folded document has handwritten and pre-typed lithographed fields. When folded the front of the document reads:

[Pd 2.00

DEED.

J. L Johnson and Linnie T. Johnson

TO

W.C. Smith and James Crawford

Dated February 7 1903

Received for Record this 26th

Day of February 1903

William Grafton

Clerk.

Recorded in Deed Book

No 26, page 272

William Grafton

Clerk.

Blanks of all kinds for sale at the Journal Office, Fayetteville, W. Va.

C + J]

The interior page one reads: [This Deed, Made this 7th day of February 1903 between J L Johnson and Linnie T Johnson his wife of the County of Fayette and state of West Virginia of the first part, and W. C. Smith and James Crawford of the same county and state of the second part:

Witnesseth, That the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars cash in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. ~~~~~~~~~~

Do__ Grant unto the parties of the second part the said W. C. Smith and James Crawford, the surface and surface only (the mineral having heretofore been sold) in and the following described lot or parcel of land known as Lot No. 25 on the same lying and being on the waters of Wolf Creek, in Fayetteville District Fayette County West Virginia and bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a stone on the edge of Main Street and Corner to Lot No. 23 and with Lot No. 23 S. 70 W. 180 feet to a stone in line of J. W. Davis and with Davis S. 20 E. 19 feet to a stone in the edge of the Railroad Survey and with said survey S. 89 E. 190 feet to a stone in the edge of Main Street and with Main Street N. 20 W. 80 feet to the beginning containing about one fourth (1/4) acre.]

The second interior page records the signatures of James L. Johnson and Linnie T. Johnson. The third interior page records the signatures of the Notary Public and the Fayette County Clerk.

Topic

African American

American South

Emancipation

Families

Housing

Law

Rural life

United States--History--1865-1921

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Karen Crawford and the Crawford Family (including Philip, Anthony, Gregory and Rosalind)

Object number

2017.93

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Brady, Mathew, American, 1822 - 1896

Manufactured by

McAllister, Thomas H., American, 1824 - 1898

Subject of

Price, Birch & Co., American, 1858 - 1861

United States Army, American, founded 1775

Medium

albumen, sodium chloride, silver nitrate, glass, metal, ink on paper, adhesive

Dimensions

H x W (image): 2 11/16 × 2 7/8 in. (6.8 × 7.3 cm)

H x W x D (slide and mount): 3 1/4 × 4 1/8 × 1/4 in. (8.2 × 10.5 × 0.6 cm)

Type

lantern slides

Place captured

Alexandria, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1862

Description

Lantern slide of the slave trading firm of Price, Birch, & Co. of Alexandria, Virginia. The slide depicts a three story building is set to the right of the slide. A sign on the building reads “PRICE BIRCH & CO. / DEALERS IN SLAVES.” A tree is at the center of the image. Arrayed in the foreground are a horse, covered wagon and 10 soldiers. The soldiers appear to be both white and African American, with a group of four black soldiers grouped together on the left and one standing alone back against the wall. All the men are in full uniform, including hats, rifles, and swords. Printed vertically on the left of the image is “T.H. McALLISTER, Manufacturing Optician,.” Printed vertically on the right side of the image is “49 NASSAU STREET, NEW YORK.” A paper label is adhered to the back of the slide. Handwritten vertically in ink is “0290 Price, Birch & Co.’s Slave Pen / Alex. Va” The slide is in a metal frame.

Topic

African American

American South

Business

Domestic slave trade

Photography

Slavery

United States Colored Troops

United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family

Object number

2018.43.6

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

Liljenquist Family Collection

Classification

Slavery and Freedom Objects

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture