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Start Over You searched for: Collection African American and African Diaspora collection, 1729-1970 (majority within 1781-1865) Remove constraint Collection: African American and African Diaspora collection, 1729-1970 (majority within 1781-1865) Date range Unknown Remove constraint Date range: Unknown
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ca. 1815 December . Frederick County (Md.) County Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer 3 DsS; Frederick County, [Maryland].

5 pages [total]

Box 1
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One indictment of Jonathan, "slave and property of Charlotte Dye Owings," for murdering Edward Owings on November 3, 1815. Description of the assault, which inflicted "mortal choking, mortal wounds and bruises." Jury determines Jonathan "did, feloniously, willfully, and of malice aforethought, did kill and murder" Owings. On verso: "Indicted &c pleads not guilty." List of five persons sworn to testify to the jury. Signed B. S. Pigman, "att[orne]y for state." Two signed Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol documents for the December Term, 1815, delivering "negro Jonathan" and "negro Stephen" for the murder of Edward Owings, Jr. Names informants: Philemon Cromwell, Dr. William Tyler, John Walker, Frederick Barrick, Thomas Carlton, Philip Swartzwalter, Frederick Baker, Jason Phillips, and William Grimes, Jr. Both documents signed, P. Mantz, F.M.
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1818 May 30 . Fredericksburg (Va.) Overseers of the Poor DS to William Lewis; Fredericksburg, [Virginia].

1 page

Box 2
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Binding Henry Olenger, a poor 15-year old African-American boy, to Lewis as an apprentice to learn the trade of cooper until Olenger "shall come to the age of Twenty one years according to the Act of the General Assembly…"
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[1819?] July 20 - August 6 . Jane Thompson ALS to "Sister" [Susan Wright?]; George-town.

8 pages

Box 2
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Remarks on slavery, Southern culture and labor, and local botany, agriculture, fruit, and diet. Remarks on a farmer who was"obliged to purchase Slaves, as he could not depend on having hired laborers when he wanted them," with a mention of his wife's managerial work, and one enslaved man having "four wives & families belonging to him in different places." Health, including bilious fever, suckling children and children's illnesses, careful diet, and effects of heat. Recently read [Henry Bradshaw] Fearon and finds his conclusions valid, including Americans' prejudice against Englishmen and other foreigners. Compares American women and children unfavorably to their English counterparts, noting white children mingling with enslaved children. Tells of American roguery, including theft, murder, violence, and effrontery, concluding,"the higher classes are more wicked here than in England." Shocked that General [Andrew] Jackson is allowed to travel with President [James Monroe] following his execution of British subject [Alexander] Arbuthnot, and is proud that English newspapers condemn Jackson's actions. Discusses encounters with violence and cruelty against enslaved children, noting "Foreigners behave worse to their Slaves, than the Native Americans." Notes low cost of provisions and an acquaintance teaching at a"Black school." Discusses Americans' lower demands for quality goods and the market for"Braziers & tin-plate workers." Addressed to Mr. Wright, Ironmonger, in Lincolnshire, Old England, including a rare American Packet Courier handstamp featuring a red heart.
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1819 September 7 . Quashe Babbitt ALS to Bathsheba Babbitt; Bristol, [Rhode Island].

1 page

Box 2
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Thanking his former mistress for her kindness "when I was in your family:-- In taking care of me even in sickness as you would have done for your own child." Had intended to stay with the family, but circumstances dictated otherwise. "I shall ever have the same love and respect for you, as if I had never left your house. -- I feel as if I were willing to lay down my life for you." Gratitude to former master for education and providing a 'house-lot." Includes later note in a different hand regarding the author, "an African Slave owned by Jacob Babbitt Sen . . . took the name of his Master at his death he left a son James Babbitt."
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1820 February 20 . [Ira Moore] Barton ALS to Nathaniel Helme; Providence, [Rhode Island].

3 pages

Box 2
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Discusses fellow classmates from Brown University, opinions on the extension of slavery to the territories; he inquires "what the Virginians say about the great Missouri question . . . for my part, I think that Congress had better admit all new States upon an equal footing with the original States." Refers to the country as "Uncle Sam's powerful family."