Raynors HCA 2018-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/15/2018
A good Virginia lawyer's slave related letter, 3pp. folio., written by Obed Waite (1766-1845) also mayor of Winchester, Winchester, [Va.], Jan. 6, 1829 addressed to Collector Roger Jones, "City of Washington", about two runaway slaves while also seeking justice for the heirs of William B. Paige, reading, in small part: "I have just learned that negro Sam Lee left this place some time before Christmas and has not returned…he said he was going to the city to see his master…Mr. Thomas Appsc. Jones…I have thought it best to write to you on the subject as there may be some uncertainty as to Com's. Jones being at the city and it is possible that if Jones did go to the city he paid you a visit. It is said he hired a horse of a man there who is uneasy about the horse fearing Sam has gone off not to return…his staying off so long is an unfavorable circumstance unless his master has determined he shall not return…the last order I paid for him was paid…[to] Mr. John Murphey acting as agent for Mrs. Ann Turberville who claims him…a suit…has been long on the Docket in the name of yourself and wife against the other heirs of William B. Paige decd…this is a suit for a division of the slaves…commissioners were appointed to divide the slaves…negro Daniel was assigned to one of my wards, was there in jail…his keeping amounted to a considerable sum (say some fifty dollars)…the jailor insisted on retaining him until his claim should be paid…Page had put…Daniel in jail for some offense…and had requested me to sell him…[go on at length on who should pay Daniel's jail fees]…the matter has remained in court ever since undecided…Taylor took possession of the slaves allotted to Wm…and has held them ever since and now…Daniel [has] runaway and [is] entirely lost; several others dead so that some one or more of the children have not even one slave, which Taylor has four or five …this is manifestly unjust. Some of the children on arriving of age…sold them…justice may be done by holding them liable for the value of the slaves sold…it has been suggested that there is money in your hands being the price of a negro sold by her or for her: that of course being out of the commonwealth will not come under the notice of the administrator…Obed Waite…". Docketing reads, in part: "On the subject of the division of the Fairfield slaves. Refers also to the 200 dollars belonging to poor Jane…". The original transmittal leaf is attached. Overall near fine.
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