(MILITARY CIVIL WAR) CONSCRIPTED SLAVES Manuscript letter w

Sale 2342 - Lot 373

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Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000

"BOB & I ARE WELL..." (MILITARY--CIVIL WAR.) CONSCRIPTED SLAVES. Manuscript letter written by 'Jackson,' a slave to his master Dr. John H. Furman. Single page, written on both sides with the original envelope, addressed in a different hand; the paper being rather thin has caused the writing to bleed through from one side to the other, however, the letter remains perfectly legible. James Island, S.C. October 24, 1864

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a remarkable letter, from Jackson, a conscripted slave to his master dr. j.h. furman, reporting on his health and that of other slaves from his plantation and that of a neighbor. Literally thousands of slaves were impressed to fortify defenses along South Carolina's vulnerable coast.
While a surprising number of letters written to masters by their slaves are recorded, very few if any ever appear in the public venue. The present letter connects several families by association. Jackson and his wife once belonged to John Brount Miller, and were given to his daughter Susan who married J.H. Furman. J.H. Pugh was Miller's executor. A number of pages of research regarding all concerned accompanied this lot.