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- open access (CC0):"Yes"
- topic: "Slavery"
Your search found 222 result(s).
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CC0
Violin played by the enslaved man Jesse Burke
- Manufactured by
- Unidentified
- Owned by
- Burke, Jesse, American, 1834 - 1909
- Date
- 1850-1860
- On ViewConcourse 3, C3 053
- Exhibition
- Slavery and Freedom
- Medium
- Violin: wood, steel, and mother of pearl;
- Bow: wood, horsehair, metal, and mother of pearl;
- Case: wood, metal, and wool cotton blend flannel
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (Violin): 3 × 24 × 8 1/4 in. (7.6 × 61 × 21 cm)
- H x W x D (Bow): 1 1/16 × 29 1/4 × 9/16 in. (2.7 × 74.3 × 1.4 cm)
- H x W x D (Case (closed)): 4 1/4 × 30 3/4 × 9 1/2 in. (10.8 × 78.1 × 24.1 cm)
- Caption
- This violin was originally owned by a slaveholder named Elisha Burke, who owned the Mount Pleasant Plantation in Phillips County, Arkansas. Before the slaveholder died in 1860, he gave the violin to an enslaved man on his plantation, Mr. Jesse Burke (b. 1834 – d. 1909). According to the family oral history, during slavery Jesse was charged with playing the violin for entertainment for the slaveholder and his guests.
- Description
- A violin (.1a) with a bow (.1b) stored in a wooden case (.2), all owned and played by Jesse Burke, who used the violin during and after enslavement.
- The violin (.1a) has a reddish-brown stained wooden body, neck, peg box, and scroll. The pegs, fingerboard, and tailpiece are made of wood painted black. A small piece of mother of pearl is attached at the center top of each peg. The strings are made from steel. A paper label is adhered to the interior back of the violin body, which can be seen through the sound holes. Printed on the label in black text are the words: "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis / Faciebat Anno 1726".
- The bow (.1b) has a rod made from a dark-stained wood with a metal tension screw. The frog is made from wood painted black and inlaid with mother of pearl and a metal ferrule. The tip is edged with a panel of an ivory imitation material. The bow hair is made from horsehair, though the horsehair is broken with several strands still attached and extending from the tip in varying lengths.
- The wooden case (.2) is painted black and has a hinged lid that opens with two (2) metal hinges. On the opening side are two (2) metal tension clasps with one (1) locking hinge at the center. There is a metal plate with a keyhole to the right of the center hinged lock. A metal handle is attached at either side of the keyhole plate. The interior of the bottom and the lid is lined with a red wool and cotton blend flannel. There are two flannel-covered wooden pieces at the wide side of the case that correspond to the center bouts on the body of the instrument and secure it in place inside the case. A loop of the flannel is sewn near the thin side of the lid, presumably to hold the bow.
- Place used
- Lexa, Phillips County, Arkansas, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Musical Instruments
- Topic
- Instrumentalists (Musicians)
- Men
- Music
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Donated by Shirley Burke, Great-Granddaughter, on Behalf of Jesse Burke's Descendants
- Object number
- 2014.232.1ab-.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
Claim awarded by the Confederate state of South Carolina for enslaved man Dick
- Written by
- Tupper, James, American
- Subject of
- Jordan, Samuel
- State of South Carolina, American, founded 1788
- Confederate States of America, 1861 - 1865
- Date
- November 23, 1864
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 14 × 8 1/2 in. (35.6 × 21.6 cm)
- Description
- This preprinted and handwritten form records the successful claim against the Confederate state of South Carolina for the death of an impressed enslaved man named Dick from dysentery on October, 26, 1862. Samuel Jordan, who enslaved Dick, was rewarded $750.00 by the government. The document is signed by James Tupper, the state auditor. The reverse of the paper reads "State of South Carolina / No. 342 / In the matter of the / claim of / Samuel Jordan / Report of the / State Auditor."
- Transcription Center Status
- Transcribed by digital volunteers
- Place made
- Abbeville, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
- Type
- claims
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
- Object number
- 2015.222.9
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
The Case of Dred Scott in the United States Supreme Court
- Written by
- Chief Justice Taney, Roger B., American, 1777 - 1964
- Justice Curtis, Benjamin Robbins, American, 1809 - 1874
- Published by
- Greeley, Horace, American, 1811 - 1872
- Subject of
- Scott, Dred, American, ca 1800 - 1858
- Date
- 1857
- On ViewConcourse 3, C3 053
- Exhibition
- Slavery and Freedom
- Medium
- ink on paper (fiber product) with string (fiber product)
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 9 1/16 × 5 13/16 × 5/16 in. (23 × 14.7 × 0.8 cm)
- Description
- A first edition, octavo volume of The Case of Dred Scott in the United States Supreme Court with sewn self-wrappers. The title and publishing information are printed in black ink, centered on the front wrap against a plain background: [The Case / OF / DRED SCOTT / IN THE / UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. / THE FULL DECISION OF / CHIEF JUSTICE TANEY / AND / JUSTICE CURTIS / AND ABSTRACTS OF THE / OPINIONS OF THE OTHER JUDGES; / WITH ANALYSIS OF THE POINTS RULED, AND SOME / CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. / NEW YORK / GREELEY & McELRATH, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS / 1857. / Price, 25 Cents; $1 for Five Copies; $2 per Dozen; $15 per Hundred.] There are 104 pages. The text concludes with the sections [RESOLUTIONS] and [AN ACT TO SECURE THE FREEDOM OF ALL PERSONS WITHIN THIS STATE.] on the back. The volume is inscribed to the New York State congressman Robert J. Hale at the top center of the front wrap: [Robt. Hale from R. W. Livingston, July / 57].
- Place printed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Type
- reports
- Topic
- Caricature and cartoons
- Civil rights
- Emancipation
- Government
- Law
- Politics
- Race discrimination
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1815-1861
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2015.262
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
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CC0
Building brick from the White House
- Created by
- Kale, Jeremiah, American, active late 18th century
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Used by
- The White House, founded 1792
- Owned by
- McCulloch, William Moore, American, 1901 - 1980
- Date
- 1793-1797; removed 1950
- Medium
- building brick and mortar
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 2 5/16 × 8 1/2 × 4 in. (5.9 × 21.6 × 10.2 cm)
- Description
- A clay brick that was once part of the structure of the White House. The brick is a standard solid style brick, slightly uneven in shape. It is a reddish-brown color, and is covered with faint remnants of white-colored mortar on all sides. A chunk of mortar protrudes off the surface at the corner of one of the brick's long, narrow sides.
- Place used
- The White House, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Buildings and Structures
- Topic
- Architecture
- Building Arts
- Free communities of color
- Government
- Labor
- Local and regional
- Politics
- Slave hire system
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1783-1815
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James F. Dicke, II
- Object number
- 2013.232.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
Pinback button featuring a campaign portrait of Senator William B. Nash
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Sen. Nash, William Beverly, American, 1822 - 1888
- Date
- ca. 1868
- Medium
- metal, silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 1 3/4 × 1 1/2 × 3/8 in. (4.4 × 3.8 × 1 cm)
- Description
- A metal pin back button featuring a photographic image of Sen. W.B. Nash. The pin is oval and made of metal with a slight tarnish. The front features a beaded design around the edge of the picture and the back is slightly indented with a horizontal pin across the middle. The photo is placed loosely in the frame and features a bust shot of Nash wearing a suit jacket and tie. He has a beard and mustache.
- Place used
- Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Media Arts-Photography
- Memorabilia and Ephemera-Political and Activist Ephemera
- Type
- gelatin silver prints
- portraits
- buttons (information artifacts)
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of William Beverly Nash
- Object number
- 2013.168.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
-
CC0
Building brick from the White House
- Created by
- Kale, Jeremiah, American, active late 18th century
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Used by
- The White House, founded 1792
- Owned by
- McCulloch, William Moore, American, 1901 - 1980
- Date
- 1793-1797; removed 1950
- Medium
- building brick and mortar
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 2 5/16 × 8 3/16 × 4 in. (5.9 × 20.8 × 10.2 cm)
- Description
- A red clay brick that was once part of the structure of the White House. The brick is a standard solid style brick, slightly uneven in shape. It is a reddish-brown color, and is covered with faint remnants of white-colored mortar on all sides. There are slight losses at two corners.
- Place used
- The White House, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Buildings and Structures
- Topic
- Architecture
- Building Arts
- Free communities of color
- Government
- Labor
- Local and regional
- Politics
- Slave hire system
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1783-1815
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of James F. Dicke, II
- Object number
- 2013.232.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
-
CC0
Heavenly Days in Dixie: Or, the Time of Their Lives
- Published by
- Political Affairs Publishers, Inc., American, founded 1944
- Written by
- Aptheker, Herbert, 1915 - 2003
- Date
- 1974
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 8 7/16 x 5 1/2 in. (21.5 x 14 cm)
- Description
- A 31-page pamphlet printed in black print on off-white paper. Printed below the title, between two decorative black bands with intermittent white stars is the description, "A critical review of The Time on the Cross: The Economics of American Negro Slavery, by Robert W. Fogel and Stanley L. Engerman. The essay has been reprinted from the June and July 1974 issues of Political Affairs.
- Classification
- Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
- Type
- pamphlets
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the family of Dr. Maurice Jackson and Laura Ginsburg
- Object number
- 2010.55.82
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
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CC0
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer's Comrade)
- Written by
- Twain, Mark, American, 1835 - 1910
- Published by
- Charles L. Webster and Company, American, 1884 - 1894
- Printed by
- J. J. Little and Company, American, founded 1867
- Date
- 1885
- On ViewCulture/Fourth Floor, 4 050
- Exhibition
- Cultural Expressions
- Medium
- ink, metal, paper and cloth on cardboard;
- paper and cloth on cardboard;
- paper, cloth and ink on cardboard
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (OVERALL): 9 1/8 × 7 5/16 × 1 3/4 in. (23.2 × 18.5 × 4.4 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.249a - Closed): 8 3/4 × 7 3/16 × 1 3/16 in. (22.2 × 18.2 × 3 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.249a - Open): 8 3/4 × 14 1/2 × 3 9/16 in. (22.2 × 36.8 × 9 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.249b - Folded): 8 3/4 × 7 3/16 × 1 5/16 in. (22.3 × 18.3 × 3.3 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.249b - Unfolded): 8 3/4 × 23 13/16 × 1/16 in. (22.3 × 60.5 × 0.1 cm)
- H x W x D (2014.249c): 9 1/8 × 7 5/16 × 1 9/16 in. (23.2 × 18.5 × 4 cm)
- Description
- A first edition, first printing hardcover of the “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Tom Sawyer's Comrade)” (2014.249a), by Mark Twain with a chemise (2014.249b) and slipcover (2014.249c). The front cover of the book is a dark green with the title embossed in various fonts that read, [Adventures / of / HUCKLEBERRY / FINN / (Tom Sawyer's Comrade) / BY / MARK TWAIN. / ILLUSTRATED.]. The "H" and the "F" of Huckleberry Finn are painted with gold leaf in a lettering that resembles wooden slats. The author’s name is also in gold leaf. In the bottom left corner of the front cover is an embossed illustration of a young boy wearing a straw hat, jacket and pants, with his hands in his pocket. Behind the boy is a fence in the background which has been filled in with gold leaf. The top third of the book spine is the title of the book embossed over a gold leaf square with a compass illustration to the left of the word [Finn. In the center of the spine is a floral design embossed directly above the author’s name, embossed in gold leaf [BY MARK TWAIN]. The bottom third of the spine is the publisher’s information, embossed in gold leaf, [CHARLES·L·WEBSTER / & CO.]. The back cover is blank. There is a handwritten note in pencil in top right corner of front flyleaf that reads [1st issue]. The book is inscribed in black ink in the center of second front flyleaf, [John W. Ruckman]. The frontispiece features a black-and-white illustration of Huckleberry Finn holding a shotgun in his proper left hand and a rabbit in his proper right hand. The illustration is signed on the bottom, left corner, reading [E·W·KEEMBLE / ·1884·]. The second frontispiece is a black-and-white photograph of a bust of Mark Twain in profile. The text below the image reads [Mark Twain / FROM THE BUST BY KARL GERHARDT. / Heliotype Printing Co. Boston and New York]. The book has forty-three (43) chapters, one hundred and seventy-four (174) black-and-white illustrations, and three hundred and sixty-six (366) pages. The interior pages are off-white.
- A tri-fold, cardboard, dark green chemise (2014.249b), lined with an off-white interior. The chemise has extenders for the sides of book between tri-folds. A black fabric pull-tab is attached at the center of the proper left side of chemise.
- A hardback slipcase, with proper left opening for the chemise-wrapped book to slide into. The exterior is covered with same green as the chemise, and the interior is lined with off-white paper. On the top third of the slipcase spine is handwritten text in black ink that reads [HUCKLEBERRY / FINN / MARK TWAIN].
- Place printed
- New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Place depicted
- Missouri, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
- Type
- hardcover books
- Topic
- American South
- Caricature and cartoons
- Children
- Language
- Literature
- Race relations
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.249abc
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
Le Code Noir
- Printed by
- Prault, Pierre, French
- Date
- 1767
- Medium
- ink , paper , cardboard , leather
- Dimensions
- closed: 4 7/8 × 3 5/16 × 1 1/8 in. (12.4 × 8.4 × 2.9 cm)
- open: 4 7/8 × 5 1/4 × 3 1/4 in. (12.4 × 13.3 × 8.3 cm)
- Description
- Bound 446 page volume of 1767 "Le Code Noir" or "Black Code" with a red leather spine. The book covers are wrapped in a blue-green marbled paper and the edges are slightly worn. On the spine is embossed text in gold, above the center [LE / CODE NOIR]. Also on the spine are five sets of embossed lines, at regular intervals, with impressions of stylized foliage between each. Within the front cover are various marks in pencil near the top of the cover and pages [48056 / caribbean slavery / 4750 / ANAXVS / KK]. The interior pages are in tact but slightly water stained.
- Place collected
- New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America
- Place printed
- Paris, Île-de-France, France, Europe
- Place depicted
- Haiti, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
- Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Guadeloupe, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
- Martinique, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
- Saint Lucia, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Grenada, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Type
- pamphlets
- Topic
- Caricature and cartoons
- Colonialism
- French colonialism
- Law
- Race discrimination
- Race relations
- Slavery
- U.S. History, Colonial period, 1600-1775
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2014.67
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
-
CC0
Holy Bible
- Published by
- American Bible Society, American, founded 1816
- Owned by
- Collins, Richard, American, 1844 - 1918
- Subject of
- Collins, Kate Hunter, American, died 1910
- Date
- 1869
- Medium
- ink on paper, leather covered cardboard, and ribbon
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (Closed-without ribbon): 2 1/2 × 6 7/16 × 8 3/8 in. (6.4 × 16.4 × 21.3 cm)
- H x W x D (Open-Flat): 2 × 14 1/8 × 8 3/8 in. (5.1 × 35.9 × 21.3 cm)
- H x W x D (Closed-with ribbon): 2 1/2 × 722 × 11 11/16 in. (6.4 × 1833.9 × 29.7 cm)
- H x W x D (Open-In Cradle): 3 1/4 × 13 1/2 × 8 3/8 in. (8.3 × 34.3 × 21.3 cm)
- Title
- Bible documenting the family and lineage of Richard Collins
- Description
- A printed copy of the Christian Bible printed in 1869, containing the family history of Richard Collins. Blank pages between the Old Testament and the New Testament are filled in with the marriage, birth, and death dates of various members of Collins's family, including his ancestors and his descendants. The information is written in ink and pencil by at least two different hands. The book has been rebound in a tooled leather-covered cardboard cover. A red satin ribbon page marker is attached at the top edge of the spine.
- Place used
- Alabama, United States, North and Central America
- Texas, United States, North and Central America
- California, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
- Religious and Sacred Objects
- Type
- Bibles
- Topic
- American South
- American West
- Caricature and cartoons
- Emancipation
- Families
- Freemasonry
- Identity
- Migrations
- Race relations
- Religion
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Richard Allen Collins-Diggs, Thanks Grandpa, Mom, Carlotta, Denise, Diane
- Object number
- 2014.173
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public Domain
-
CC0
The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth, Mountaineer, Scout, and Pioneer, and Chief of the Crow Nation of Indians
- Subject of
- Beckwourth, Jim, American, 1798 - 1866
- Created by
- Beckwourth, Jim, American, 1798 - 1866
- Bonner, T. D., American
- Published by
- Harper & Brothers, American, 1817 - 1962
- Date
- 1856
- On ViewCommunity/Third Floor, 3 051
- Exhibition
- Power of Place
- Medium
- ink on book paper , cloth and cardboard
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 8 x 5 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (20.3 x 14 x 3.2 cm)
- H x W x D (Open at 60 Degrees): 8 × 6 1/2 × 6 3/8 in. (20.3 × 16.5 × 16.2 cm)
- Description
- Embossed brown cloth, hardcover book with 537-pages, 2 pages of ads, frontispiece and many illustrations with engraving of James P. Beckwourth in hunter's costume on frontispiece.
- Place printed
- Franklin Square, Nassau County, New York, United States, North and Central America
- Type
- narratives
- hardcover books
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2013.19
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public Domain
-
CC0
Poems on Various Subjects Religious and Moral
- Written by
- Wheatley, Phillis, American, 1753 - 1784
- Illustrated by
- Moorhead, Scipio, ca. 1750 - unknown
- Published by
- Bell, Archibald, British
- Date
- 1773
- Medium
- ink on paper with leather and wood
- Dimensions
- 7 x 4 3/4 x 5/8 in. (17.8 x 12.1 x 1.6 cm)
- Description
- A first edition of the book Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, by Phillis Wheatley, while she was enslaved to Mr. John Wheatley of Boston. The book has a brown leather cover, the original morocco spine label, and a frontispiece featuring a portrait of Wheatley by Scipio Morehead. Along the top of the portrait are the words [PHILLIS WHEATLEY, NEGRO SERVANT TO MR. JOHN WHEATLEY OF BOSTON]. The book also has the armorial bookplate of Daniel P. Griswold, a small circular ticket from the Library of George W. Brinely, as well as a larger one from Henry Weston Sackett.
- Place printed
- London, England, Europe
- Place depicted
- Boston, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
- Type
- poems
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2012.46.46
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
-
CC0
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African
- Written by
- Equiano, Olaudah, 1745 - 1797
- Published by
- Knapp, Isaac, American, 1808 - 1858
- Owned by
- West, Mary J., American
- Date
- 1789; republished 1837
- Medium
- ink on paper, leather
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 7 × 4 1/2 × 1 1/8 in. (17.8 × 11.5 × 2.8 cm)
- H x W x D (open at 90 degrees): 7 × 4 1/2 × 5 in. (17.8 × 11.4 × 12.7 cm)
- Description
- A hardcover book titled The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African written by Eqiano Olaudah. The book has a brown leather cover with gold colored lettering. A paper dust jacket with "Gustavus Vassa" on the front surrounds the leather cover. There are inscriptions on the front pastedown endpaper and the front endpaper. The book has 294 pages.
- Place printed
- Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America
- Place depicted
- West Africa, Africa
- England, Europe
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
- West Indies, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Type
- books
- narratives
- Topic
- Africa
- Emancipation
- Literature
- Men
- Middle Passage
- Religious groups
- Slavery
- Spirituality
- Trans Atlantic slave trade
- U.S. History, 1815-1861
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of William E. West, Sr. and Family
- Object number
- 2014.44
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public Domain
-
CC0
The Portuguese slaver Diligenté captured by H.M. Sloop Pearl with 600 slaves on board, taken in charge to Nassau
- Created by
- Lieutenant Hawker, Henry Samuel, English, 1816 - 1889
- Date
- May 1838
- Medium
- watercolor on paper (fiber product)
- Dimensions
- H x W: 11 3/8 x 17 1/8 in. (28.9 x 43.5 cm)
- Caption
- The slave ship Diligente was engaged in the illegal slave trade when it was seized in 1838. A lieutenant in the British Royal Navy painted this scene from the ship. He captured the trauma of the Middle Passage in images of malnutrition and overcrowding.
- Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom
- Description
- A watercolor painting of a slave ship showing five crew members with multiple enslaved persons crowded on the weather deck. A Portuguese flag flies from the ship and the sketched outline of another ship is visible in the background.
- Place depicted
- Jamaica, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Portugal, Europe
- Nassau, Bahamas, Caribbean, North and Central America
- Classification
- Visual Arts
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Type
- watercolors
- Topic
- Africa
- Art
- Law
- Military
- Slavery
- Trans Atlantic slave trade
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2010.21.2ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
-
CC0
Hiring agreement for an enslaved woman named Martha in South Carolina
- Printed by
- Unidentified
- Signed by
- Hunton, William A., American
- Fox, John, American, 1805 - 1884
- Subject of
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Date
- December 31, 1858
- On ViewConcourse 3, C3 053
- Exhibition
- Slavery and Freedom
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 3 15/16 × 5 5/8 in. (10 × 14.3 cm)
- Description
- A hiring agreement for an enslaved woman named Martha in South Carolina. The small, single sheet and page document is on yellowed paper with black preprinted and handwritten text. The document represents the hire of an enslaved woman named Martha to William A. Hunton by John Fox on January 1, 1859 for 1 year. It the top left corner on the front of the document is a printed dollar sign with “17.00/100” handwritten next to it. The document begins “On the 1st day of January, 1860, we bind ourselves and our heirs / to pay unto JOHN FOX the just and full sum of Seventeen dollars / and – cents, for the hire of the Negro Martha, for the year 1859….” The document also notes that Martha will be furnished with summer and winter clothes as well as a bonnet and blanket. The document ends with “Given under our hands ad seals this 31st day of December of 1858. / William A. Hunton.” In the bottom right corner there ar two boxes with “SEAL.” printed inside. William A. Hunton’s signature is next to the top box. The back of the document has an inscription in graphite written in a different hand than the text on the front. The inscription reads “No 24 / WM A. Hunton / $17, Martha / John Fox.”
- Transcription Center Status
- Transcribed by digital volunteers
- Place used
- Lexington County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
- Topic
- American South
- Business
- Clothing and dress
- Finance
- Slave hire system
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1815-1861
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
- Object number
- 2018.43.5
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
Albumen Print of the congregation of St. Nicholas Church in Maryland
- Photograph by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Saint Nicholas Church, American, 1795 - 1943
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Unidentified Child or Children
- Date
- ca. 1880
- Medium
- albumen and silver on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (image): 7 5/16 × 9 1/8 in. (18.5 × 23.2 cm)
- H x W x D (card): 10 13/16 × 13 3/4 × 1/16 in. (27.5 × 35 × 0.1 cm)
- Description
- A reddish-brown photograph of the congregation of St. Nicholas Church in St. Ignatius, St. Mary’s County, Maryland. The image depicts a large group of people standing in front of Saint Nicholas Church. The foreground depicts a dirt path leading to a wooden fence. A white horse is near the fence on the left side of the photograph. Trees are on the right side of the photograph. Behind the fence is a large field with the church at center. A line of women and men are standing in front of the building. The women appear to be wearing white colored clothing and the men appear to be wearing dark colored clothing. A bell on top of a wooden structure appears in the left side of the photograph. A black horse buggy is next to the bell. Another horse buggy is on the right side of the image. The church is topped with a belfry and a simple wooden cross. Two windows are on the front of the church; one of which appears to be missing glass. The photograph is adhered to a yellowish card stock. The top right corner of the card stock is missing. A name plate adhered to the card stock beneath the photograph reads ECCLESIA S. NICOLAI / Pertinens ad Resid. S. Ignatii, St. Mary’s Co. Md. / PROVINCIAE MARYLANDIAE NEO-EBORACENSIS S. J.” The back of the photograph is blank.
- Place captured
- Saint Mary's County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Media Arts-Photography
- Type
- black-and-white photographs
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
- Object number
- 2018.43.19
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
Lantern Slide of the slave dealers, Birch & Co., in Alexandria, Virginia
- 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
- Date
- 1862
- 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)
- 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.
- Place captured
- Alexandria, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Media Arts-Photography
- Type
- lantern slides
- Topic
- American South
- Business
- Domestic slave trade
- Photography
- Slavery
- U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States Colored Troops
- 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
-
CC0
Document on distribution of six enslaved persons owned by Elizabeth Roberts
- Written by
- Neusville, John, American
- Eckells, William, American
- Subject of
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Roberts, Elizabeth, American, died 1802
- Roberts, John, American, born 1780
- Signed by
- Perry, Isaac, American, 1780 - 1873
- Perry, Benjamin, American, born 1761
- Tonge, Edward, American
- Date
- 1802
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (2018.43.8a): 15 15/16 × 13 in. (40.5 × 33 cm)
- H x W (2018.43.8b (folded)): 8 1/16 × 3 3/8 in. (20.4 × 8.5 cm)
- Description
- A financial document (2018.43.8a) listing "Elizabeth Roberts Negroes," splitting them up by lot and divided between heirs by the executors of the estate of Elizabeth Roberts.
- The document consists of handwritten black ink on both sides of a single sheet of paper.
- The front of the large document notes the relationships people had with Elizabeth Roberts and their claims to her property, as well as the state and county officials involved. The back of the document names the enslaved persons with their ages, and notes how they or their equivalent monetary value should be distributed among the interested parties. The enslaved persons are listed as:
- Ben, 23
- Harry, 40
- Hannah, 45
- Philis 11,
- Franny 8,
- Lucy 6
- Harry, Hannah, and Philis went to James Spencer, brother of Elizabeth Roberts. Ben, Franny and Lucy went to William and Eleanor Spencer, nephew and niece of Elizabeth Roberts. The accounting of the estate is dated January 22, 1802 in Charleston. The division of property is entered as February 9, 1802 in St. Paul's Parish, Colleton District of South Carolina. The document is signed by Isaac Perry, Benjamin Perry, and Edward Tonge, executors of the estate.
- The document is accompanied by a smaller piece of folded paper (2018.43.8b), that served as an envelope for the document. It has handwritten text summarizing the contents of the document.
- Place used
- St. Paul's Parish, Colleton County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Place made
- Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
- Type
- documents
- Topic
- American South
- Business
- Children
- Families
- Finance
- Men
- Slavery
- U.S. History, 1783-1815
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
- Object number
- 2018.43.8ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
Bill of sale for four enslaved persons in Charleston, South Carolina
- Printed by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Unidentified Woman or Women
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Signed by
- Lynes, George, American, 1807 - 1870
- Gray, James W., American, died 1870
- Subject of
- Roper, Robert W., American, 1800 - 1845
- Clarke, Stephen F., American
- Date
- 1844
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 13 1/2 × 8 1/8 in. (34.3 × 20.7 cm)
- Description
- A large, pre-printed bill of sale with handwritten text on both sides. It describes the mortgage of four enslaved persons by George Lynes. The enslaved persons are identified as “S Bella, L Sally, Ben, and L Anthony.” The document states that Lynes delivered the enslaved persons to the Master of Equity, James W. Gray, against the price of $660. It is dated March 6, 1844. It was sealed and delivered in the presence of Robert W. Roper and Stephen F. Clarke. The back is covered in various handwritings which records the witnessing of the mortgage and its entry into the record books in April 1844.
- Transcription Center Status
- Transcribed by digital volunteers
- Place used
- Charleston, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Liljenquist Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents
- Type
- bills of sale
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Liljenquist Family
- Object number
- 2018.43.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
-
CC0
Carte-de-visite of Preston Taylor as a drummer with the 116th USCT
- Photograph by
- Prince, Louis Isaac, 1832 - 1867
- Subject of
- Taylor, Preston, American
- United States Colored Troops, American, 1863 - 1865
- Date
- ca. 1866
- Medium
- albumen and silver on wove paper
- Dimensions
- H x W (image): 3 5/8 × 2 1/8 in. (9.2 × 5.4 cm)
- H x W (sheet): 4 × 2 3/8 in. (10.1 × 6.1 cm)
- Description
- An albumen carte-de-visite photograph, signed, of Preston Taylor, a drummer in the 116th United States Colored Troops. A dark haired young man, Preston Taylor, wears a soldier’s uniform jacket with three large buttons vertically attached, white detailing around his collar. Within the fading of Taylor’s image, below his jacket buttons, is his signature which reads: [Preston Taylor, Co. G, 116th U.S.C.T.]. The back of the albumen photograph has light stains at the top, and bears the ink printed name and address of the photographer: [L. I. PRINCE, / Photographer / 112 Caral and 8 St. Charles Sts., / (CORNER BUILDING) / Over Union Insurance Co., / New Orleans.]. At the bottom middle of the card is typed: [Additional Copies can be had when required.].
- Place captured
- New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Media Arts-Photography
- Type
- cartes-de-visite
- albumen prints
- Topic
- Emancipation
- Men
- Military
- Music
- Musicians
- Slavery
- U.S. History, Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States Colored Troops
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2019.28.32
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain