NMAAHC Collections Search

Dress made by an unidentified enslaved woman or women

Created by: Unidentified Woman or Women
Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium: cotton (textile), muslin
Dimensions: H x W x D (On Form): 47 1/2 x 23 x 20 in. (120.7 x 58.4 x 50.8 cm); Waist: 25 1/2 in. (64.8 cm); H x W (In box, padded out): 45 1/4 × 22 × 9 1/2 in. (114.9 × 55.9 × 24.1 cm)

Type: dresses

Place made: Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1845-1865

Description: This is a handstitched long-sleeved dress with a full skirt made from a balanced plain-weave printed cotton. The sleeves are gathered at the back shoulder seam and the shoulder seam is dropped in the back. The bodice is gathered at the front waist and has a neck band with no collar. Both the neck band and the waist band are fussy cut to display the printed design. Piping is attached at the armholes and along the bottom of the waistband. The skirt is gathered at the front hips and the back with a flat panel along the center front waist. On the proper back bodice, three (3) glass buttons are sewn on the left side of the back opening (placket), with four (4) button holes on the right side. At the waist, two (2) decorative buttons are sewn on the right side of the opening, without corresponding button holes on the left side. The hem is turned up 3 1/2". The bodice and sleeves are lined with muslin, while the skirt is unlined. The printed pattern on the fabric is four (4) colors and black, with a base color of reddish brown, on top of which is a repeating pattern of columns of red roses alternating with columns of diamonds and clubs on a cream background inside a black, orange, and red border.

Topic: African American; Clothing and dress; Slavery

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: 2007.3.4

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: 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

Printed floral skirt worn by Lucy Lee Shirley as a child

Created by: Unidentified
Worn by: Shirley, Lucy Lee, American, 1855 - 1929
Subject of: Black Fashion Museum, American, 1979 - 2007

Medium: bast fiber, wool textile, and synthetic fiber
Dimensions: H x W (Flat): 18 × 33 1/2 in. (45.7 × 85.1 cm); Waist: 24 1/2 in. (62.2 cm)

Type: skirts

Place used: Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1860

Description: A child's circular skirt in a floral print with a pleated flounce on the hem. The main fabric is a plain weave natural fiber fabric with a cream ground and a repeating pattern of small four-petal flowers in red, purple, blue, and tan. The skirt is predominantly hand-sewn. It has a waistband made from an undyed bast fiber fabric with the floral print gathered and whip stitched to the waistband. The skirt is more closely gathered on the back. There is a slit at the center back that divides the waistband completely. There is no attached closure method, but rust staining at the back opening of the waistband suggests the skirt was pinned to close. The bottom of the skirt has an extra flounce of the floral print that has a series of pleats around the skirt in sets of three alternating with straight sections. This flounce is machine-sewn at the top and 1 1/2 inches from the bottom using blue thread that is possibly a synthetic fiber. The bottom and top edges of the flounce are bound with blue fabric sewn on the bias. The interior of the skirt is lined only behind the extra flounce with a hand-pinked undyed bast fiber fabric. There is a previous repair on the back proper right side of the skirt where a panel of light brown synthetic fabric is hand sewn on the interior of the skirt from the gathering at the waist to the top of the older linen lining on the bottom.

Topic: African American; Children; Clothing and dress; Slavery

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: 2007.3.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: 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

The Hunted Slaves

Created by: Ansdell, Richard, English, 1815 - 1885
Subject of: Unidentified Man or Men; Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium: oil paint on canvas
Dimensions: H x W: 36 x 60 in. (91.4 x 152.4 cm); H x W x D (Framed): 48 3/8 × 72 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (122.9 × 184.2 × 8.9 cm)

Type: oil paintings

Place depicted: Great Dismal Swamp, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America; Great Dismal Swamp, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1862

Description: This oil painting depicts a black man and woman beset by three mastiff dogs in a marshy landscape. On the right side of the painting are two human figures who face left across the painting to the dogs.The man stands in a half-crouch between the dogs and the woman, wielding a hatchet in his upraised right hand. Dangling from his clenched left wrist is a pair of manacles, with one cuff broken open. He wears a pair of faintly patterned brown trousers to mid-thigh, and has a red sash around his waist. His body has numerous scars and a round brand or tattoo on his left shoulder. The woman is half-crouched behind him knees bent, both arms raised to shoulder height, palms faced outward as she peers over the man's shoulder. She wears a sleeveless, loosely draped soiled white top, and a brown striped skirt tucked above her knees. Her hair is drawn back and she has small hoop earrings. The dogs are on the left side of the painting, with one of the dogs lying wounded between the two groups of figures. The scene takes place in an area of trampled tall grass with grey water in the background and a livid red horizon. In the bottom right corner there is a striped snake twining up a mossy dead log.

Topic: African American; Antislavery; Art; Slavery; Violence

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2009.34ab

Restrictions & Rights: Public Domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Visual Arts; Slavery and Freedom Objects

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bill of sale for a girl named Clary purchased by Robert Jardine for 50 pounds

Written by: Unidentified
Subject of: Jardine, Robert; Ferguson, John, American, 1784 - 1854; Burk, Richard, American; Burk, Susanah, American; Burk, Edmund, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W (complete): 12 5/16 × 7 3/4 in. (31.2 × 19.7 cm); H x W (top half): 6 1/8 × 7 3/4 in. (15.6 × 19.7 cm); H x W (bottom half): 6 1/8 × 7 3/4 in. (15.6 × 19.7 cm)

Type: bills of sale

Place made: Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 15, 1806

Caption: Clary and the Fancy Girl Trade, 1806; Black women were the sexual prey of white men since the 1600s. During the domestic slave trade, a new category of enslaved women emerged, known as “fancy girls.” Young and usually light-skinned, these black women were purchased explicitly for sexual exploitation, at rates four to five times the price of women field laborers.; Source: Nancy Bercaw, Curator, Slavery and Freedom
Description: Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Clary[?] to Robert S. Jardine for the price of fifty pounds. The document is written on yellowed paper in brown colored ink. The document is severely creased and contains numerous holes at center along the creases. It is separated into two pieces. The two original pieces of paper are adhered to a newer piece of paper. The bill of sale begins with “Know all men by these Presents that we / the Subscribers have Bargained, sold, / Transferred and Delivered, and by these Presents / doath Bargain Sel, Transfer and deliver unto / Robert S. Jardine a negro girl named / Clary[?] for the Consideration of Fifty Pounds / Current Money of Virginia…” the document has the names of sellers and witnesses written at the bottom. Additional unrelated writing is written vertically in red ink on the upper left corner.

Topic: African American; Children; Domestic slave trade; Slavery

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.1.117ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
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

The Hampton Student Vol. XI No. 3

Published by: Hampton University, American, founded 1868
Subject of: The Hampton Student, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 10 x 6 3/4 in. (25.4 x 17.1 cm)

Type: newspapers

Place depicted: Hampton, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 15, 1921

Description: A student and alumni newspaper for the Hampton Institute. The newspaper consist of black print on twenty-two pages of white paper. This issue looks at Hampton's athletics.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Education; Sports

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.54.1

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Catalogue of the Hampton Institute. 1886-87.

Created by: Hampton University, American, founded 1868

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 x 5 3/4 in. (22.9 x 14.6 cm)

Type: yearbooks

Place depicted: Hampton, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1887

Description: A yearbook for the Hampton Institute. The yearbook consists of black print on paper. The cover is pinkish brown with visible blue fibers. There are no photographs of the listed students. The interior contains forty-six pages.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Education

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.54.2

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Hampton Classes 1871-1898

Created by: Hampton University, American, founded 1868

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 9 1/4 x 6 in. (23.5 x 15.2 cm)

Type: paperbacks

Place depicted: Hampton, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1898

Description: A reference book with the names and professions of graduates of The Hampton Institute. The book consists of black print on yellowed paper. The binding is yellow, and handwritten text along the spine says: [HAMPTON CLASSES 1871 1898.] The interior contains two hundred and forty-six pages. The interior of the back cover has several numbers written by hand, ink on the page.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Education

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2010.54.3

Restrictions & Rights: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bill of sale for a 42-year-old man named Isaac to John Rouzee

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 7 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (19.1 x 18.7 cm)

Type: financial records; bills of sale

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: October 24, 1810

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A bill of sale for a 42-year-old "negro man named Isaac." Isaac was sold by William A. Lane to John Rouzee. The signature of Lane appears in the bottom right corner next to the word "seal," which is circled in ink. The signature of a witness, Daniel Branin, appears in the lower left corner. On the reverse is written, "Bill of Sale for negro Isack." The document is handwritten in black ink.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Domestic slave trade; Finance; Men

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

Object number: 2011.104.1

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Payment receipt to Rosa Gray for the hire of an enslaved man, Cook

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 4 3/4 x 8 1/4 in. (12.1 x 21 cm)

Type: financial records; receipts

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 28, 1813

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A receipt for payment by Edward Rouzee to Rosa Gray for "hire of negro man Cook the property of Gray in year 1811." The receipt is signed in the bottom right corner by William Noel for Rosa Gray. The document is handwritten in black ink. The paper is torn unevenly at the bottom.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.10

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Memorandum of enslaved men and women hired or not hired for 1794

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 8 5/8 x 4 1/2 in. (21.9 x 11.4 cm)

Type: financial records

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1794

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A document titled at the top "Memorandum." Written in a vertical column, the document lists names and monetary values. Some names have the notation "not Hired." On the reverse is written "Memorandum Negro hires 1794] in the center and "Bond for the year 1794" along the lower left side. The document is handwritten in black ink.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.11

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Affidavit of apprehension of Moses, property of Edward Rouzee

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 12 1/2 x 8 in. (31.8 x 20.3 cm)

Type: financial records; legal documents

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: April 2, 1830

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A payment receipt and affidavit drafted by Thomas Wright Jr, justice of the peace, regarding an enslaved man named Moses. The document states that Robert M. Callip of Essex county apprehended Moses, property of Edward Rouzee of Essex County, two and one-half (2 1/2) miles away from the Rouzee plantation. The one page, single-sided document is handwritten in black ink. Below the text to the right is the ornate signature of Thomas Wright, Jr. Below the text to the left is the calculation of the money owed, five dollars ($5.00) for the apprehension plus twenty-five cents ($0.25) for the distance, totaling five dollars and twenty-five cents ($5.25). The paper has a small notch torn at the top left. The paper has been folded twice vertically and once horizontally. On the reverse is written "Magistrate Certificate respecting Moses a Runaway."
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Freedom; Law; Men; Resistance; Runaway slaves; Self-liberation; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.12

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Receipt for purchase of a man named Ned by Edward Rouzee from an estate sale

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 10 5/8 x 7 1/2 in. (27 x 19.1 cm)

Type: financial records; receipts

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: September 18, 1817

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A receipt written by Th. Matthews for the payment by Mr. Edward Rouzee of the amount of twenty (20) dollars for "his purchase of Ned at the sale of Henry [illegible] Estate." A one-page, single-sided document of handwritten black ink on paper. The paper is torn along the bottom edge.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Domestic slave trade; Finance; Men

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

Object number: 2011.104.13

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Letter and payment receipt for hire of enslaved persons owned by Apphia Rouzee

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 6 x 7 3/4 in. (15.2 x 19.7 cm)

Type: business letters; financial records

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 1, 1802

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A letter written by Apphia Rouzee to Mr. Evan Brown in care of William Noel stating "you must hire out all the negros to the best advantage for this yeare and send by him all the cash you have received." The letter is dated January 1, 1802. On the reverse, in a different hand, is a note dated January 2, 1802 recording a payment of one hundred and twenty four (124) pounds and two (2) pence received from Evan Brown and signed by William Noel. The paper is torn on two sides and there are two tears in the center. The paper has been folded and creased many times.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.14

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Transcript of court record regarding payment for the hire of enslaved persons

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 10 5/8 x 7 1/2 in. (27 x 19.1 cm)

Type: financial records

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: September 18, 1817

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: Transcript of a court document from the Essex County court office. It certifies that Apphia Rouzee has fully satisfied the bond owed William Webb and James Webb by paying to William Webb the sum of one thousand (1000) dollars for "the hires of the negroes in Culpepper [sic] County." At the bottom right, the document is signed by witnesses Thomas Wright Jr. and Wm. B. Matthews. A one page, single-sided document of handwritten black ink on paper. The back contains notes and a description of the document.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Law; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.15

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Transcript of court record regarding payment for hire of enslaved persons

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 12 1/8 x 7 1/4 in. (30.8 x 18.4 cm)

Type: financial records; transcripts

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: December 2, 1808

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A transcript of a court document testifying that William Webb of Essex County and John Dunn of Essex County are "held and firmly bound unto" Apphia Rouzee in the sum of two thousand (2000) dollars. At the bottom left is the signature of witness Dorothy Booker. At the bottom right and on the reverse are the signatures of Louis Booker and Anthony Robinson. The document is handwritten in black ink on both sides of a single page.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Law; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.16

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Payment receipt for the hiring of enslaved persons owned by Apphia Rouzee

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 in. (15.9 x 21 cm)

Type: financial records; receipts

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: January 2, 1802

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: This payment receipt describes the amount and method of payment given to Mrs. Apphia Rouzee by Mr. William Noel for "Negroe Hire" for the year 1801 and prior to 1801 by Mr. Evan Brown. A one page, single-sided document of faded black ink handwritten on paper. On the back of the document is written "Evan Brown."
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.17

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

List of bonds for the hire of enslaved persons given to Evan Brown to collect

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 13 x 8 in. (33 x 20.3 cm)

Type: financial records

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1794 - 1795

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: This document is titled at the top "A List of Bonds Given to Mr. Evan Brown to Collect or put in Suit" and consists of lists of names, dates, and monetary amounts owed for the hire of enslaved persons. The document is divided into three separate lists and is signed by Evan Brown and witnessed by Ralph Rouzee on both the front and the back. A single page document of black ink on paper. Two lists are written on the front and one on the back.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.18

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

List of enslaved persons hired out by AB Rouzee for the year 1812

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 9 5/8 x 15 3/4 in. (24.4 x 40 cm)

Type: financial records

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1812

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: This document is titled at the top, "A List of [illegible] A.B. Rouzee Negroes for 1812" and contains an itemized list of enslaved persons owned by the Rouzee family that were hired out during 1812. The list contains the name of the enslaved person, the person they were hired by, and the monetary or trade amount owed to the Rouzee family for their labor. The document is handwritten in black ink. On the reverse is written "List negro hire." The paper has been folded vertically multiple times.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.19

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Payment receipt for apprehending Braxton, property of Edward Rouzee

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 8 1/2 x 8 in. (21.6 x 20.3 cm)

Type: financial records; legal documents

Place made: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: September 16, 1829

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: A one page legal document drafted by hand in ink by Richard Rouzee, Justice of the Peace for Essex County, Virginia, granting payment to Silas Goulding of Essex County for apprehending the enslaved man "Braxton," believed to be the property of Edward Rouzee. Braxton was found on the plantation of Robert P. Waring. At the bottom left of the document is the calculation that $5.00 be paid to Goulding for apprehension and an additional $0.60 for the distance of six miles between the place of apprehension and the plantation of Edward Rouzee. At the bottom right is the elaborate signature of Richard Rouzee. The document is dated September 16, 1825.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Freedom; Law; Resistance; Runaway slaves; Self-liberation; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.2

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

List of enslaved persons hired out by AB Rouzee for the year 1813

Owned by: Rouzee Family, American

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: L x W: 9 5/8 x 15 3/4 in. (24.4 x 40 cm)

Type: financial records

Place used: Essex County, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1813

Caption: This document is from a collection of financial papers related to the plantation operations of several generations of the Rouzee Family in Essex County, Virginia. The papers date from the 1790s through 1860.
Description: This document is titled at the top, "A List of [illegible] A.B. Rouzee Negroes for 1813" and contains an itemized list of enslaved persons owned by the Rouzee family that were hired out during 1813. The list contains the name of the enslaved person, the person they were hired by, and the monetary or trade amount owed to the Rouzee family for their labor. The total owed is one hundred and eight (108) dollars. The document is handwritten in black ink. On the reverse is written "List negro hire." The paper has been folded vertically multiple times.
Transcription Center Status: Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic: African American; Agriculture; Business; Finance; Slave hire system; Slavery

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

Object number: 2011.104.20

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Liljenquist Family Collection
Portfolio/Series: Rouzee Family Papers
Classification: Slavery and Freedom Objects; Documents and Published Materials-Business and Legal Documents

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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