The Sumner County Archives
announces the publication of
Land, Slaves and Other Courthouse Transactions
1808-1863
Abstracts of Sumner County, Tennessee Records
Abstracted by Juanita Patton
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“It is well known
in research circles that local bills of sale often contain historical gems,
information not available elsewhere. As
the gems reflect aspects of our culture, they are extremely important to an
understanding of how Americans lived at various times and places.
When volunteers and
staff persons at the Sumner County Archives first began a review of original
bills of sale preserved in their care, they immediately recognized them as a
valuable resource. Concluding that
indexed abstracts could be a ready reference tool for research a group of
Archives volunteers abstracted the bills, indexed them, and now offers the
public this bound volume.
As a user and promoter of archives, I congratulate the Archives and volunteers who by this work have made obscure parts of our history more easily accessible. Recognized as one of the outstanding institutions of its kind in the state, the Sumner County Archives has an enviable record of innovation. We are left to wonder what might be the next project.”
Walter Durham, Tennessee State Historian
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Softbound,
277 pages, this book is fully indexed by names, slaves (slave name and name of
seller), and also contains a place index. All
names, ages and relationships, including those of slaves have been extracted as
well as the type of document, date it was written and page number in the
original ledger. Spelling and abbreviation are often inaccurate and names are
listed as written in the books. While
these books are a major asset to genealogical research for African Americans,
their value is not limited to slaves and their descendants.
The
book is comprised of abstracts of unpublished and relatively unknown records
from Sumner County’s bill of sale books, and includes deeds, powers of
attorney, estate divisions and administrations, marriage contracts, bonds and
sales of crops and farm animals as well as bills of sale for slaves and division
of slaves. Slaves are listed by
given name and sometimes with surnames and usually, ages.
Plantation owners and their families are identified.
Some examples are:
·
Pleasant TAYLOR to William
MATTHEWS -- Deed.
By marriage with former wife, Margaret CURRY, dec’d, Taylor has
life estate in 60 acres in Dist. 11 “Beginning at an Elm and Oak, Northeast
corner of 640 acre tract of Reuben DOUGLAS then running East 113
poles…in North boundary of George ELLIOT…” For $245, the 60 acres
sold to Mathews “for and during term of my natural life…” 1 May 1854 p.
294-295
·
John CHAMBERS to daughter,
Rebecca S. SHELBY, Liberty Co., TX – Deed of Gift.
For love and affection for daughter gives Negroes owned but in possession
of Henry BLOOD, Brazona Co., TX: Jerry,
40; Simon, 25; Jesse, 20; Wesley, 18; David, 8; William, 14; Green, 7; Chriss,
45; Amy, 32; Rose, 20; Lucinda, 18, her child, Ellen, 3; and Malvina 18.
14 Dec 1850. p. 537
·
Richard
HALE to Cyrus B. HALE – Power of Attorney.
To receive his legacy, 1/12 real and personal property, from estate of
his father, William HALE, to be paid after death of his mother, Priscilla
HALE. Wit. Cage HALE,
James BLACKMORE. 31 Jan
1832. p. 98-99.
Cost of
book is $35.00 plus $3.50 shipping/handling.
Make check payable to Sumner County Archives.
To order
please fill out the form below and mail to:
Sum
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Item |
Price |
Quantity |
Subtotal |
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Land,
Slaves and Other Courthouse Transactions…. |
$35.00 |
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Shipping
and handling (each) |
$
3.50 |
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