Raynors 2012-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/27/2012
An early slave punishment letter, 1p. folio, written by plantation owner James Cowan, Mt. Holyoke, Henry Co., Tennessee, March 7, 1858 to another plantation owner, Thomas Taylor, commenting on the nighttime activities of their wayward slaves and Cowan's recommended punishment for both, in part: "…you have a valuable Boy, John. If you want to keep him so, I would give you such advise as I ought to have taken myself…[with] Willis [who] is now 25 years old. In constitution he is 45. Why? Because he has ruined himself by running to George Moore's at night when he ought to have been asleep. If Josh is not going the same way I am mistaken. Saturday last he went to William Harts, & from there back home & then to John Harts. Whether he done as my boys did or not I can't say. Mine stole horses and rode, & left here at 9 & 10 o'clock...and back here by daylight, all without my knowledge or counsel, for which 5 of them rec'd. from 75 to 125 naked lashes for, with good prospect of having the dose repeated for a smaller offense…John had as well keep in the middle of the road when he passes this way…if you catch one of my negroes in your yard, without a permit, you will oblige me by putting on him, or her 50 lashes…it is now the law for every man to patrol his own premises…I don't care about catching John…he knows. I owe him a debt that you know nothing of…". VG
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