Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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General Foreign Stamps and Covers, U.S. Postal History continued...

The Ken Lawrence Collection of Slavery and Freedom Mail and Ephemera

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

2908

1812, Slave Insurrection Conspiracy at Natchez. Folded letter datelined "Natchez, October 11, 1812" and addressed to Elizabeth Trumbull in Worcester Mass., light strike of "Natcz. M.T. Oct. 20" circular datestamp, ms. "25" rate, fascinating lengthy content (typed transcript accompanies) which includes "we are Surrounded by Blacks -- who are impatiently waiting for the time of Emancipation -- it is impossible my dear Sister to give you a just description of our fears -- for 2 months I have never gone to Bed without being impressed with the Idea of a band of Negroes entering our Chambers to massacre the whole Family -- there has been 2 or three plots discovered -- their first plan was to use arsnick, there is a free Negro in Natchez who is a Dr it was supposed he supplyed them with this Drug, he was was taken up and put in jail -- but there was no positive proof against him -- he was [crossout] set free again.", additionally "it is impossible to feel secure -- the Blacks in Orleans had nearly carried their plan into execution -- the night the Town was to have been destroyed -- there was a most Tremendous Hurricane they was so surprised and frightend that they could not keep their secret they concluded it was an interposition of Providence their conversation was heard and the ringleaders secured -- there was 3 white Men concernd with them there has been only one hanged.", a phenomenal letter describing white fears of a black rebellion, the typed transcript also contains background information on those involved as well as additional historical information (Image)

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E. 750-1,000

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction

2909

1848, Slaves Kill Master in Virginia. Folded letter datelined "Charlotte Co. Va. August 7, 1848" with red "Charlotte C.H. Va. Aug. 10" circular datestamp with ms. "5" rate to Charlston (West) Va., content reads in part "Sorry that the abolitionist is perplexing you...Mr Scott who married Majr Gainses Daughter Cathren was ciled by his negroes a Short time Since several of them is in jail for triel I think they will be hung if they have gustice done them.", fresh and Very Fine (Image)

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E. 500-750

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

2910

1860, Former Slave Begs for Money to Purchase His Two Sons in Slave State.> Letter datelined <altimore July 16th 1860>> and accompanied by 3c Nesbitt entire used with Baltimore 1c Black, Carrier (1LB8), from
Rev. Samuel W. Madden (a black ministe

1860, Former Slave Begs for Money to Purchase His Two Sons in Slave State. Letter datelined "Baltimore July 16th 1860" and accompanied by 3c Nesbitt entire used with Baltimore 1c Black, Carrier (1LB8), from Rev. Samuel W. Madden (a black minister) to Rev. William Jackson in New Bedford Mass., content includes "I am trying to preach for Bro Davis Church at this time. He is traveling to beg Money to purchase his two sons who are yet in slavery.", cover with some soiling, otherwise Fine (Image)

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E. 300-400

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

2911

1862-63, Civil War Diaries of Private Perry P. Powell, Battery A, Illinois 1st Light Artillery Regiment. Nice assemblage incl. two diaries, daguerreotype of the author as a young man and photo of him as an older man, also three of his calling cards, diaries cover period from Dec. 14, 1862 thru May 25, 1863 and second volume covers period from May 29 thru Sept. 19, 1863, content of first diary includes hand-drawn map of siege of Vicksburg showing the Mississippi River, bluffs and tent placements as well as Warrington's position, contents incl. usual mundane comments on the weather punctuated by snippets of important information including "Tuesday Apr 21st 1863 Weather clear in the forenoon but in the afternoon it rained quite hard Adjt General Thomas addressed this division in the forenoon on the policy of forming Negro regiments some of the boys are going to apply for a commission in him. I did not feel well enough to go & hear him but would like to first rate.", also "we are just outside the fort we got the rebbles all prisoners I went over in the woods and got a pair of saddle bags I went all around the fort such sights I never before had seen there was a good many dead rebbles the most of them was all mangled up with cannon balls some of our boys got shot guns – I got one and some revolvers the rebbles had their large guns caced mated with iron but were badly tore up by our Gun Boats and Cannon dismounted in fort. [along left side] had several horses wounded none of boys hurt we got about 7000 Prisoners.", second volume covers period of Confederate surrender and his subsequent departure, diaries in mixed condition with one cover separated, still fantastic historical content, full transcript accompanies on CD (Image)

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E. 3,000-4,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

2912

1863, Former Slave Hopes to Communicate with Relatives He Left Behind When He Ran Away. 3pp letter datelined "Auburn (N.Y.), July 1, 1863" from Jas. R. Cox to Charles C. Dwight (160th Regiment, New York Volunteers, Provost Marshal General of Louisiana), content reads in part "A colored man Miles Davis has been in my Sunday school class in the Prison 2 years. He is now out: maintained an excellent character there, became obviously converted, and is to join our church next Sunday. He was born a slave in So. Carolina -- sold from there when 5 years old and was for many years the 'property' of Abraham Scofield of Natchez -- on the hill. He ran away from there 7 years ago -- his wife dead -- leaving a little boy now 8 years old if living — the property” of Abraham Scofield of Natchez", also "Now Miles is intensely anxious to get word to his sister, to let her know where he is, that he is among friends and is doing well. This sister is owned by Jim Brown (not John! The illustrious — whose soul is still marching on, and for whose principles & example let us thank God Amen! Hallelujah) -- at Natchez a bricklayer by trade.", also asks recipient to get word to his family that he is safe and in good hands "Natchez will -- ere long (D.V.) be in possession of our troops -- and then if not now this thing can be done.", wonderful contents, accompanied by typed transcript (Image)

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E. 750-1,000

CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction

2913

1863, Carte-de-Visite of Gordon. CDV of escaped Mississippi slave who had enlisted in the Union Army, showing his back scarred by a Christmas Day whipping, also accompanied by July 4, 1863 edition of Harper's Weekly showing similar illustration as well as illustration of "Gordon as he entered our lines" and also "Gordon in his uniform as a U.S. Soldier", the issue also includes information on Battle of Milliken's Bend (first major battle involving black troops), Very Fine example of this famous abolitionist's photograph (Image)

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E. 300-400

SOLD for $1,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

2914

Slavery-Related Balance. Two items: first is March 31, 1865 Receipt for Property (weapons and ammunition) confiscated at Natchez by Lieutenant Colonel A.L. Mitchell, 63rd U.S. Colored Infantry and Provost Marshal, second item is Volunteer Descriptive List and Account of Pay and Clothing of Private John Gordon, Co. H, 77th U.S. Col. Inf, 24-year-old, born Richmond, Virginia, enrolled New Orleans, February 18, 1865, Very Fine

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E. 200-300

SOLD for $200.00
Will close during Public Auction