- 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].
- 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.




