2020-07 2 sessions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/23/2020
A very rare Slave Catcher's document being an oblong 8vo., payment receipt, for going after a runaway slave at the beginning of the Civil War, dated during the Reconstruction period on Dec. 21, 1865! Just days after Fort Sumter was fired upon slave owner, "Mr. H. Davis" of Perry Co., Alabama lost one of his slaves who run away from him. On April 20, 1861 slave catcher, W. J. Turnbow went after Davis' slave, charging Davis $10.00 for his services. Various other charges and fees were then applied. The document, reads, in part: "State of Alabama, Perry County. Personally came before me Jno. H. Allen, an acting Justice of W. J. Turnbow who being duly sworn by me says the above account is just and unpaid. Sworn to before me this 21st Dec. 1865. Jno. H. Allen, J. P." On the verso of the document the overdue debt due is finally paid slave catcher Turnbow by the executor of Davis' estate on December 23, 1865. Wow, of all the slave related documents we have handled this is a first for us…paying a slave catcher after Emancipation and the end of the Civil War. Super rare! Some toning and soiling, else VG.
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