2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Autograph letter signed, "Augusta" with graphic content on the sad fate of a missing slave; plus additional content on jimson seed poisoning and a slave arson fire. 4p. quarto, Wood Lawn [Mississippi], March 16, 1855. Legible ink. Sent to Allan Cameran. [Bro John]…his family were all well, but he had just lost a valuable negro boy 16 years old in a most horrible way. He wandered off from the house on Sunday evening the 6 of Jany...but [they] did not find him until Tuesday. He went about a quarter of a mile from the house into the woods, where there was an old tree on fire. They suppose that he sat down by it to warm himself, and fell asleep, and while he was asleep the tree burnt in two and fell on him, and as it was too heavy for him to extricate himself, he just had to lie there and burn up. His head was consumed entirely, his arms & legs burnt off and the ribs on the right side burnt in two, and when found, the buzzards and hogs were feeding on his remains."; "There was an attempt made last week by Mrs. Morrow's cook to poison the whole family. She put it is thought, pounded Jamestown (jimson) seed in the buiskit. Fortunately the Dr. arrived in time to save all their lives. On the same night, Dr. Harvy's negroes set fire to the house in which the over seer was sleeping intending to burn him, but that also was discovered in time for him to make his escape but the house was entirely destroyed. " Legible ink. Slight soiling and wear. Overall VG+.
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