Three Slavery Sale Documents, 1847

Black HistoryThree New Orleans Related Slave Auction Related Documents


February 23, 1847, Slavery Sale Documents, Lot of 3, New Orleans, LA, Choice Very Fine.
1. Partially printed and handwritten 2-page document, completed in brown ink, on fine laid and watermarked ("HUDSON") paper, 12.75" x 8.25", for a 1847 Slave Sale in New Orleans, Louisiana. Signed by "L. Henry Knight of Richmond, Virginia," who agrees to "transfer and deliver" the negro slave Nelson Campbell to Euphemon Sosthene Roman, Joseph Silvere Roman, & Valerien Choppin. And states: "A negro man named Nelson Campbell aged twenty years, Slave for life and the lawful property of said vendor; on which said Slave the tax of three dollars as required by an act of the Legislature of this State approved on the tenth day of March 1845 has been paid as appeared from the receipt of the collector of State... of the price of... Eight hundred dollars... and now to these present... John Hagan of this city who declared that he does hereby bind himself jointly and in sale do with the said vendor to guaranty the slave above named against all legal claims and demands and also against the vices of maladies described by the law and in the case of eviction of the said Slave to reimburse unto the said purchasers the among paid by them for the same..." signed by L.H. Knight, John Hagan, E.S. Roman and three other witnesses. The top right corner on the first page is missing and minorly alters the integrity of the document; the second page appears to be fully intact. Normal folds, light stains and scarce foxing, but overall a surprisingly well-preserved official document from before the Civil War.

2. Partially printed receipt, completed in brown ink, on an official 3.75" x 7.25" "State of Louisiana" receipt, issued by the "OFFICE OF THE COLLECTOR OF STATE TAXES, On Landed Property, Slaves, &c. Parish of Orleans", reads in part: "No. 1193... Received of Mr. L.H. Knight the sum of three dollars... for... Nelson Campbell" signed by the official office money collector. Minor folds, manuscript is bright and bold.

3. Autograph note on a 2.75" x 3.5" envelope, in brown or black ink, stating: "1847 Slave Sale, negro mocu(?) Nelson Campbell, 20 years old for $800-". Writing is bold and clear.

Together, 3 items, all inside matting and double-sided frame to an overall size of 20.5" x 23".