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WITH A LETTER FROM A SLAVE
32
●
(SLAVERY AND ABOLITION) FRAZIER FAMILY.
Small but rich collec-
tion of material relative to the plantation and slave owner Benjamin Frazier of
Edgefield, SC.
Letters, wallets, cased photographs, and documents, including
A LETTER
WRITTEN BY ONE OF FRAZIER
’
S SLAVES
,
ACCUSED OF HAVING TAKEN MONEY AT THE TIME
OF FRAZIER
’
S DEATH
. condition varies, should be seen.
Vp, circa 1830’s-1850’s
[2,500/3,500]
A SMALL BUT EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF PAPERS FROM THE MARSHALL FRAZIER FAMILY OF
EDGEFIELD
,
SOUTH CAROLINA
,
WITH A GREAT DEAL RELATIVE TO SLAVES
.
MOST INTERESTING
IS A LETTER BY
H
AL
F
RAZIER
,
A SLAVE WHO HAD BELONGED TO
C
OLONEL
M
ARSHALL
F
RAZIER
.
He writes “Allow me to address a few lines for the purpose of showing Colonel Frazier of
Edgefield. A few days ago, Mr. Montgomery read to me a letter he had received from Col. Frazier in
which I am accused of having the money which it is alleged that disappeared at the death of my old
master Colonel Benjamin Frazier and that the law will be pushed on me if I do not send Col.
Frazier $1000. It is true I am a colored man, born a slave. But by industry and economy have saved
enough to pay (purchase freedom for) myself and my wife. When old master died it is [known ?] and
provable that I had $800. I owned one half of a mill which has done in the course of time of these
twelve years a considerable business as the books will shaw. Two or three years ago the legislature of
Louisiana passed an act in my favor which I was made a free man, authorized to do business. That
act has not nor can not make me say more than an humble unpresuming man. Knowing and feeling
my situation, I have always been honest, have labored with great care to keep and maintain a good
character, and be respected for my prompt attention to business. . . “ The letter was clearly written for
Hal, but obviously by someone who respected him.