Historical Documents - Slavery and Freedom

Lawsuit to Force the Sale of Slaves - May 8, 1856 - (A petition whereby a man accepted the use of several slaves as collateral for a loan, and since the laon has gone unpaid for several years, asks that the court allow the slaves to be sold so that he can get his money back.)

"Free Born" Slave Certification - December 22, 1841 - (A document certifying that "Eliza Rector, age about fourteen years, is a free person." Dated Dec. 22, 1841)

Slave Child Photograph , 1864 - (Printed description on the verso indicates that the proceeds from the sale of the photo…”will be devoted to the education of the colored people in the department of the Gulf, under the command of Major General Banks...")

Anti-Slavery Book - Published in 1837 - (Excerpts from an anti-slavery book using scriptural references [from William Lloyd Garrison's personal copy, with handwritten notations])

Slave Rental Agreement/Receipt - January 8, 1857 - (Images of a rental agreement/receipt for the rental of a slave)

Assorted Postcards (mid 1800's - 1907) - (Political and consumer and advertisements with African American images from the mid to late 1800's and beyond)

Abolition of the Slave Trade outside the U.S. , January 13, 1794 - (Excerpts from the 3rd Congress, which includes an act prohibiting slave trade with other nations, signed into law by President George Washington, January 31, 1794. This was the personal copy of Henry Dearborn. Dearborn was an American General; Colonel on President George Washington's staff; and Secretary of War under President Thomas Jefferson)

A letter from African American educator, Booker T. Washington, May 26, 1900 Booker T. Washington, (1856-1915), established the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute [for the practical training of African Americans in trades and professions]. Mr. Washington wrote this letter, dated May 26, 1900, to Samuel Fessenden, trying to raise funds. “…I write thinking that you might like to take some interest in our work. Our students pay their own board, partly in cash and partly in labor, but are wholly unable to pay their tuition in addition…”