- On View
- Slavery and Freedom Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Slavery and Freedom
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Owned by
- Caldwell, Manda, American
- Caldwell McGill, Susan, American, 1888 - 1944
- Date
- 1850-1950
- Medium
- iron
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 11 3/8 × 20 1/2 × 18 1/4 in., 26 lb. (28.9 × 52.1 × 46.4 cm, 11.8 kg)
- Caption
- This pot belonged to and was used by Manda (Amanda) Caldwell and her daughter Susie (Susan) Caldwell McGill. Manda Caldwell was born enslaved in the York County or Cherokee County areas of South Carolina. She worked as a laundress during and after her enslavement. Iron pots such as this one were used for many utilitarian purposes - washing clothes, making lye soap and cooking large quantities of food outside.
- Description
- A large, round iron pot with a brown, orange and red patina. The pot rests on four short legs and has four handles.
- Place collected
- Gastonia, Gaston County, North Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Place used
- South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Tools and Equipment
- Type
- cauldrons
- Topic
- Cooking and dining
- Domestic life
- Families
- Labor
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Nichols Family
- Object number
- 2013.161
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




