Mar 21, 2024 - Sale 2663

Sale 2663 - Lot 404

Price Realized: $ 2,750
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,200 - $ 1,800
(SLAVERY.) Letter seeking the return of a runaway slave: "You own a woman that he used to call his wife." Autograph Letter Signed from Thomas E. Noel to Martin Key of Cotton Grove, Madison County, KY, 2 pages, 10 x 7¾ inches; minor dampstaining, mailing folds, lacking final blank leaf. With original mailing envelope. Lanefield, Haywood (now Crockett) County, TN, 26 February 1856

Additional Details

After an enslaved married couple had been separated by sale in Tennessee, the husband escaped in an attempt to reunite with his wife. Here his new owner attempts to hunt him down, hoping that the wife might reveal his whereabouts under "interrogation."

"Sir, about one month ago I bought Edmond, who formerly belonged to Mrs. Batey, sold by her to Mr. Partee of Cherryville, from whom I bought him. Said boy ran away from me last Friday morning, & as I have been unable to hear from him I think it possible he is trying to get to your house, as I learn you own a woman that he used to call his wife. I believe you bought the woman of Mr. Lovelace. Now I will take it as a great favour if you will try to ascertain if he has been about your house & try to arrest him for me. I will give you a suitable award for his apprehension. If you find out he is in the neighborhood, please let it be known that a suitable award is offered for him. I also wish you & will take it as a great act of kindness on your part if you will write me immediately upon receipt of this. . . . Try to ascertain from the woman where she supposes he is, if he is not there. If you think it best not to interrogate the woman, act as your better judgement may dictate. . . . I have learned he once before ran away, and was out some six months, which makes me anxious to hear of his whereabouts. . . . You can inform his wife that Mr. Partee was willing to have taken him back & would do so if Edmond were to request it."