Browse Items (77 total)
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Linen Sheet, circa 1835
According to family narrative, this bed sheet was made by an enslaved weaver using flax that was grown on Dabney Carr Overton's farm in Fayette County, Kentucky. In 1830, Overton enslaved thirty-two persons, including twenty female children and adults. Enslaved women were skilled spinners, weavers, and seamstresses, whose skills provided comfort for the families that enslaved them. -
Linen and cotton sheet, circa 1820-1830
An 'M's & O's' patterned sheet made of linen and cotton. The family narratives for this linen sheet states that it was made in 1816 by Betsy Breckinridge Meredith, sister of John Breckinridge. Family narrative also states the flax was grown, spun, and woven by enslaved people on the Winton Plantation. Enslaved women and men were skilled spinners, weavers, and seamstress on the frontier. Their skilled labor made life easier and more comfortable for their enslavers. -
Iron Link
Small circular iron ring that was most likely part of a bigger link of chain. This link was found in a Kentucky basement said to hold enslaved people. It is an example of the type of restraints used on those in bondage and a stark reminder of the inhumane conditions enslavers forced upon those they enslaved. By 1800, there were more than 40,000 enslaved men and women living on the Kentucky frontier. -
Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of upper and lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797.
Includes view of the natural Rock Bridge, houses, conditions of the enslaved peoples,the land, cultivating tobacco, lower classes of people in Virginia, unhealthy apperances, the Shenandoa Valley, German immigratnts, landscapes, military titles that are common in America, Irish immigrants, etc.Tags African American; agriculture; canada; climate; clothing; clover; enslaved persons; enslavement; European Immigrants; farming; fashion; german immigrants; immigration; irish immigrants; military titles; natural history; natural rock bridge; nature; public health; social class; tobacco; travel; travelogue; wheat; Women -
An Outline of the History of the Church in the State of Kentucky, During a Period of Forty Years
Title page. Contains memoirs of Rev. David Rice, and sketches of the origin and present state of particular churches, and of the lives and labors of a number of men who were eminent and useful in their day. Of special interests by David Rice are, "An Apistle to the citizens of Kentucky, professing Christianity" (1805), "a second epistle to the citizens of Kentucky, professing the Christian religion" (1808), and "Slavery inconsistent with justice and good policy" (1792). First published in 1824. -
Travels through the Western Interior of the United States, from the year 1808 up to the year 1816
"Travels through the western interior of the United States, from the year 1808 up to the year 1816: with a particular description of a great part of Mexico, or New-Spain. Containing a particular account of thirteen different tribes of Indians through which the author passed, describing their manners, customs, &c., with some account of a tribe whose customs are similar to those of the ancient Welsh." -
A sketch of the laws relating to slavery in the several states of the United States of America, 1827
Pamphlet of laws relating to slavery as an institution, 1827 -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, ca. 1 March 1809
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis informing him he has invested in the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company, is acting as an agent for the government's Native American trade factory system, and the trouble he is having with several of his enslaved persons and the punishment he is meting out. Julia requests seeds be sent to her because the rats have eaten all of hers. He keeps no copies of the letters he writes to him. -
Letter from William Clark to Jonathan Clark, 21 July 1808
Clark writes his brother Jonathan from St. Louis about business and missing family. He shortly will be traveling up the Missouri River with about 80 militia to build a fort [Fort Osage]. He has been much pestered by Native American affairs, and four of these American Indians being on trial for murder. He lists work that his enslaved people are doing and states that almost all of them have been "troublesome" and he has been "obliged" to whip most of them. Their behavior/attitudes have improved since. Julia asks that "old mama Clark" send her some dried garden herbs, especially thyme and sage, as none is to be gotten in St. Louis. -
Letter from Patrick Henry to William Christian, 25 February 1786
Henry writes Christian on various subjects including the navigation of the Mississippi, treaty negotiations with Spain, the scarcity of cash, and the cost of enslaved laborers. -
Letter from Walter Warfield to Alexander Scott Bullitt, 2 April 1793
Warfield writes thanking Bullitt for helping bring enslaved people to Kentucky and asking for advice on traveling to the region. -
Will of Annie Christian (copy), 10 October 1789
Will and codicil of Annie Christian, handwritten copy. -
Order of Isaac Shelby to Mrs. Christian, 10 December 1787
Request from Shelby to Christian asking for salt in payment for bacon. -
Order of Annie Christian to Captain James Asturgus, 30 May 1787
Request from Christian to Captain Asturgus to let "James" have thirty bushels of salt for her. -
Order of Annie Christian to John Bellie, 28 February 1786
Request from Christian to send her his "best coffee." Note sent by Titus, likely an enslaved man. -
Letter from Annie Christian to Colonel Alexander S. Bullitt, 24 April 1788
Letter from Annie Christian regarding her position as guardian for her son Johnny, and directions for the profitable running of the saltworks. -
Booklet containing record of Thomas Wallace's enslaved persons, 1819
Record of Thomas Wallace's enslaved persons. In this booklet, he kept track of them by family, births, deaths, etc. -
Richard Taylor deed, 11 November 1824
Deed from Richard Taylor of Oldham County to his daughter, Matilda Robertson, for his farm of 175 acres with other property, including nine enslaved persons. -
Letter discussing slavery, 31 January 1806
Letter discussing the hiring out of enslaved persons over the Christmas holiday. Letter includes the names of the enslaved individuals. -
Letter from John W. Hundley to David L. Ward, 19 March 1815
Letter to David L. Ward stating the need for more enslaved laborers at the saltworks.