[ENSLAVEMENT]. Letter from a formerly enslaved man named George. 10 July 1827.

ALS "George." Fayette County, [KY?], 10 July 1827. Addressed to Mr. James Wartham [Wortham?] of Grandvill [Granville?] County, NC.

2 pages, on bifolium, 6 3/16 x 7 5/8 in. Addressed on terminal leaf.

"Dear Sir, after an absence of eight or nine months I now take this oportunity [sic] of writing you to let you know whare [sic] & how I am, which thanks be to G-d is better than I expected. I am at this time throw [sic] G-ds mercy injoying [sic] good health and am much pleased this fare [sic] with my situation. I wish you to inform all my friends & acquaintances who I am & tell Charlote that if it pleas [sic] G-d I am in hopes to see her yet befor [sic] I die...P.S. Be plesed [sic] to inform all my Brother Slaves not to be affraid [sic] of coming to this Country for thay [sic] can do better for themselves & [indecipherable] two after the first year."

This appears to be a letter from a formerly enslaved person who has moved away to start his life as a free man. It is unclear if the recipient of his letter is his former enslaver, a fellow slave, or a sympathetic white friend from his former place of enslavement. Further research could reveal additional information as to the identity of both the writer and the recipient.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Ephemeral Americana and Historical Documents

This lot is located in Cincinnati.