Created by
Lafar, S. E., American
Subject of
Lafar, John Joseph, American, 1784 - 1849
Baker, Henry C., American
Unidentified Woman or Women
Unidentified Child or Children
Printed by
Hoff, John C., American, 1794 - 1876
Date
1845
Medium
ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W: 13 x 18 15/16 in. (33 x 48.1 cm)
Description
A bill of sale for the enslaved woman Laurett and her child Anne for $525 from the estate of John J. Lafar to Henry Baker in Charleston, South Carolina in 1845. The document is a pre-printed bill of sale form for the state of South Carolina that has been completed by hand in black ink by S.E. Lafar, administrator of John J. Lafar’s estate. At top right is [BILL OF SALE - Sold by John C. Hoff] and at top left is [THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA]. The body of the text reads in part: [I, / S. E. Lafar administratrix of / John J. Lafar / for and in consideration of the sum of Five Hundred and / Twenty-five Dollars / to me in hand paid, at and before the sealing and delivery of these / presents, by Henry C. Baker / (the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge) have bargained and / sold, and by these presents, do bargain, sell, and deliver to the said / Henry C. Baker A Negro Girl / named Laurett & her child / Anne Sold without warantee / of Soundness / To Have and to Hold the said Slaves - / unto the said Henry C. Baker his / Exectuors, Administrators and Assigns, to his and their only proiper use and /behoof, forever.]. The document is signed by [S.E. Lafar / Admtrx of John J Lafar] and witnessed by [G. Gerard]. There is a black stamp with the letters [L.S.] next to Lafar’s signature. Handwritten on the verso, which when folded appears as the front, is [S.E. Lafar / Administratrix / To / Henry C. Baker / Bill of Sale].
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 Manuscripts
Type
bills of sale
Topic
American South
Domestic slave trade
Families
Finance
Motherhood
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Liljenquist Family Collection
Object number
2012.158.3
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b669e2e1-8e26-41a1-a290-8cc95c4b2e0c

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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