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James Hunter Minor correspondence, 1854-1865.
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Title:
James Hunter Minor correspondence, 1854-1865Creator/Contributor:
Minor, James, 1818-1862?, creator, correspondent.Creator/Contributor:
Terrell, James Hunter, 1785?-1857?Abstract:
Comprises 31 letters (7 original, 24 photocopies + typescript transcripts of each letter): 7 original handwritten letters
from the emancipated slaves of Dr. James Hunter Terrell currently living in Careysburg, Liberia to the executor of Terrell's
estate, James Hunter Minor; 24 photocopies of similar handwritten letters to Miner. Also includes a typescript transcription
of Terrell's will, dated and signed on August 9, 1854 and amended on August 12, 1854 in Albemarle County, Virginia, portions
of which specify the freeing and caring for the slaves, their transportation to Liberia, and the naming of Minor as one of
the executors. Specific instructions in the will include a suggestion that the freed slaves go to Liberia but ultimately
leaves the decision up to them. And that if they choose to stay for family reasons that they be sold to another owner of their
choice for a nominal fee. The only restriction Terrell places on this option is that the executors of the estate can veto
their choice if they determine that "... the negroes are making a bad or very injudicious choice of owners." Most of the letters
from the freedmen request that certain supplies be sent to them in Liberia, often listing people's names and the goods they
would like to receive such as tobacco, flour, nails, linen, etc., and describe their life in Liberia.
Date:
1854 (issued)Subject:
n-us-va -- f-lb---Freed persons -- Liberia -- Careysburg -- Correspondence
Slaves -- Virginia -- Albemarle County
Esclaves -- Virginie -- Albemarle
Decedents' estates
Freed persons
Slaves
Travel
Careysburg (Liberia) -- Description and travel
Liberia -- Description and travel
Liberia -- Descriptions et voyages
Liberia
Liberia -- Careysburg
Virginia -- Albemarle County
Minor, James -- 1818-1862? -- Correspondence
Terrell, James Hunter -- 1783?-1856 -- Estate
Terrell, James Hunter -- 1783?-1856
Note:
Gift of Caroline Goodwin Gwerder and Alice Goodwin Lenz ; 2019.
James Hunter Minor was the nephew of James Hunter Terrell. Terrell's freed slaves sailed to Liberia on December 6, 1856 aboard
the Mary Caroline Stevens under the care of the American Colonial Society. They settled first in Clay Ashland near Monrovia
which proved to be an unhealthy climate of low swamp lands. 18 died the first year and the survivors moved farther inland
to Careysburg. Each family was given 30 acres of land on which they built their homes and established farms. Schools were
provided for both children and adults as well as churches.
James Hunter Minor correspondence, BANC MSS 2019/116, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Letters from Liberia: Correspondence from former slaves of Dr. James Hunter Terrell addressed to Dr. James Hunter Minor and
others University of Virginia, Alderman Library, Accession 10, 460, Manuscripts Department.
In English.
Type:
wills.Personal correspondence.
Wills.
Wills.
Testaments.
Physical Description:
print
0.2 (1
Language:
English