2008-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2008
Manuscript archive consisting of three items pertaining to slave owner and dealer, A. B. [Abel Beach] Nichols of Liberty (now City of Bedford), Bedford Co., VA. Born in Connecticut, Nichols settled in Bedford in 1820 where he established a store in the Bedford Court House. His mansion estate, Three Otters, was completed about 1830. The estate, said to have been an important social center in 19th Cent. Bedford, entertained Robert E. Lee following the war. The 1860 Slave Schedule shows Nichols as the owner of 48 slaves and 17 slave houses. Based on a curious anecdote in, "American Slavery As It Is", Theodore Weld, NY: American Anti-Slavery Society, 1839, Nichols appears to have been a particularly cruel individual. The anecdote notes that Nichols inflicted 500 blows on a slave suspected of thivery. The archive contains a small manuscript notebook utilized for accounting purposes by Nichols on a trip to Alabama . Octavo, 4.75" x 7.5", leather, ink, identified on cover. 24p., 9p. used (mostly filled), first dozen pages excised. Of particular interest is a double-page headed, "A list of the Sales of Negroes in the State of Alabama in 1835 & 1836." The detailed list includes 42 named slaves, purchased from/price and names of buyers, prices. Nichols shows a $21,000 profit. Plus, also of extreme interest -- two letters pertaining to Nichol's slave Henry. The first letter, from Pollard Hopkins & Co., 1p quarto, Feb. 11, 1846, New Orleans, with integral postally sent cover to Nichols in Liberty, VA, notes that Henry has arrived in New Orleans, and discusses efforts for his sale or hire. "For the present we have thought it best to hire him to Mr. S. H. Davis for $150 a year to be well threat[ed] and well cloathed, and not allowed to work on Steam Boats or any other extremely hazardous employment."; "…the writer is so well pleased with Henry that the has told him that if he conducted himself well he would buy him a horse & dray in the fall…thus giving Henry a chance to buy himself…We think he can buy himself in four years…" The second letter, also to Nichols, is signed, "Henry", and was penned in an unknown hand. 1p quarto, New Orleans, Dec. 24, 1850, ink. Henry refers to Nichols as "Dear Master" and presents a plan by which he can gain his freedom. In part, "By & through the kindness of Mr. Geo Pollard I have the pleasure of writing you…in which was suggested as the only method of giving a title to myself, that you execute a power of Attorney of some person in this City - say Mr. George Pollard - authorizing the sale and granting title…The reason of my long delay in consummating the sale of myself in compliance with your permission…was the absence from the City of Mr. Wm D. Brown the gentleman who proposes to purchase me…He will pay $800 as soon as you make him a title. Allow me, my dear Master, to assure again & again of my lasting regard & affection for yourself and Family, & also to express my thanks for your many acts of kindness to myself." Clean, overall VG+ condition.
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.