Slaves -- Emancipation -- United States

Abstract

Paper entitled "Some Rambling Thoughts on the American Negro and Current Related Issues," describing life for African Americans since emancipation

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a letter by Robert B. McAfee dated March 2, 1813, freeing an enslaved person named Cornelius "from all claims from me & my heirs and he is hence forth to be & act as a free man." The letter was witnessed by James Campbell. The annotation states that it was recorded at the May sitting of the Mercer County Court, attested by John Jethen.

Abstract

Legal and personal papers of the Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, attorney, S.D. Cabaniss, who served as executor for the estate of Samuel Townsend. Also includes materials of other Huntsville attorneys and of the S.D. Cabaniss family.

Scope and Contents This collection consists of Richardson's last will and testament, dated July 31, 1838, which was witnessed by Richard A. Buckner, George W. Towles, Eliza Buckner, and Joshua L. Brents. The will is twelve pages long. It covers furniture, horses, saddles, house, lands, liquid assets, livestock, and enslaved persons. Some of the latter he freed, and over the remainder he set conditions by which his wife and heirs had to abide, including not selling those individuals to cover debts or moving...