[ENSLAVEMENT]. 2 letters regarding the effects of heat and sun exposure on enslaved persons. 1850.

NICHOLSON, Samuel T. ALS to his brother, Blake Nicholson. Emory, VA, 13 March 1850. 2 1/4 pages, on bifolium, 8 x 10 in. Addressed on integral leaf.

In part: "I was very sorry indeed to learn that one of my negroes had to be sold, and carried to a southern clime, and especially, being so small as she is, but of course, if you and Uncle Mason thought it better to act thus, I have no objection. Please let me know how much cousin Thos gave for her."

NICHOLSON, Thomas. ALS to his cousin, Blake Nicholson. Sycamore Alley, N. Ca[rolina], 15 March 1850. 3 1/2 pages, on bifolium, 7 3/4 9 3/4 in. Addressed on integral leaf.

In part: "Virgil I believe is well & going about. Mr Edwards give her up Potime[?] & cousin Joseph sent her up to me last Monday. I was glad to get her & have put her to work with my negroes...I should like for you to write me how Negroes are selling & if it is thought they will keep up long also whether it is thought the price of cotton will keep up...If you wish, put your girl Caroline to work under the care of my overseer with my negroes. I will hire her at what she may be worth. I wish you to say to my overseer that he must be prudent with the negroes which I have sent out this year & not expose them, but favour them all he can, as they are more subject to be sick the first year...I wish him to be certain to favour & not expose her in the summer to the heat of the sun."

Together, 2 letters addressed to Blake Nicholson of Madison County, MS, in part discussing the health of enslaved persons related to heat and sun exposure.

Samuel T. Nicholson (c. 1833-1896) and his brother, Blake Baker Nicholson, were born in Halifax County, North Carolina, but together established a farm near Livingston, Mississippi around 1853. Samuel went on to enlist as a private in Company I of the 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, or the "Beauregard Rifles." He was promoted to second lieutenant and later adjutant, and fought for the Confederacy at First Manassas and Leesburg. It is unclear how many persons Samuel and his brother enslaved.

Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Ephemeral Americana and Historical Documents

This lot is located in Cincinnati.