Letter from an Enslaved Individual in Richmond, Virginia

Containers:
Box 3, Folder 10
Scope and content:

An undated, unsigned fragment of a letter from an enslaved individual, presumably male, living in Richmond, Virginia.

As a child, the writer lived in Williamsburg, Virginia, owned by the Slater family. He refers to living in Williamsburg and being friends with Ludwell, who he used to carry around town on his back. He shares other memories of growing up in Williamsburg, including a fight he had with Amner Walker.

Other references in the letter suggest that he was perhaps owned by Mr. Slater and sent to Richmond to tend bar. He mentions Slater visiting Richmond to collect his monthly wages from the bar. The writer reports that the owners of the bar, who he characterizes as friendly, wanted to buy him but Slater refused their offer.

Towards the end of the letter fragment, the writer asks about people he knows from Williamsburg, including the Donnervill family and John Barlow's family. He also asks about [Lizzia] and Lizzie, and requests Lizzie write him. He provides his address in Richmond: "green st 1224".

Portions of this letter are missing, as evidenced by the truncated text at the top of the page.

A transcription of this letter attempted by the collection's donor is included with the original letter. This transcription has not yet been verified by SCRC staff.

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Parent restrictions:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which William Mary Libraries assumes no responsibility.
Parent terms of access:
Before publishing quotations or excerpts from any materials, permission must be obtained from the Curator of Manuscripts and Rare Books, and the holder of the copyright, if not Special Collections Research Center, William Mary Libraries.