Mentions of slavery in plantation letters

[John Lee]

Comment below with extracted text where slavery, slave life, or details about the slave system are discussed. For each letters, indicate the date, author and recipient. Please also include the page number of each text extract.

[Kyle Moore]

Here's what I have so far. I'm working on deciphering the handwritten letter.


Date: 12-29-1847, Author: John Hamll, Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Exerpt from page 1: “My negroes have not been sold owing to the depression in the negro market, but so soon as as they can be, I will be in Raleigh and take up my note.”

Date: 11-6-1847, Author: Paul Cameron, Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Exerpt from page 1: “I wish to meet you in Raleigh on your arrival -- shall go down on Thursday and send a boy on the same day with butter and other articles.”
Exerpt from page 2: “The night I was at Haw Mill we had a death on the Little River Plantation. [Betsey], daughter of Milly, 18 years old, in her 3rd chill. I expect tho they say her 3rd, like all the other cases that have proved fatal no [fever] [unintelligible] until death was upon her. God only can tell when we shall be free!”

Date: 10-25-1846, Author: Paul Cameron, Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Exerpt from page :

Date: 3-21-1846, Author: Charles Lewellyn, Recipient: Paul Cameron
Exerpt from page 1: “I commenced sowing cotton seed Thursday, but had to stop on account of rain. Will commence again Monday with a part of my team. I have about 150 acres of land to plow at this time. I don’t expect to touch the small field on the creek but will plant it if I can. I want to get through planting by the 5th of April… Old York yet complaining. Joe better and Willie’s foot a little better. Henderson the same.”

Date: 11-8-1846, Author: Charles Lewellyn, Recipient: Paul Cameron
Exerpt from page 1: “I have packed 160 bales of cotton. I have out about 200 bales. I think I shall get 225 bales. Milton and John Law are yet sick. They have a chill every other day and there are several others complaining. [Aggy] has had an [abortion].”

Date: 10-31-1847, Author: Charles Lewellyn, Recipient: Paul Cameron
Exerpt from page 1: “I have packed 100 bales of cotton only; 75 at the landing… I judged I have in the seed 20 bales of cotton in the gin house. I have put up one 100 heads of hog, some of them very small, but I will make the most of them I can. I have now in the house 17 sick hands. None very sick but Daniel. He had a congestive chill. I understand some of my good friends are writing to you for your business for the next year, but I don’t expect you will employ anyone until you get on the plantation.”

[Lauren Ward]

Date: July 6, 1847
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Excerpt one reads, "I found but little indescription in the black families..."
Details of slavery: Due to the natural state of this letter I had a lot of difficult determining what was written. The first mention of racial incidences occurs at the beginning of the second paragraph. It seems that Paul Cameron is telling his father, Duncan Cameron, is telling him about some of the black families on the plantation.


Date: August 21, 1847
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Excerpt 1 reads, "before-yesterday-whilst on a visit to the the plantation he found 15 persons sufficiently (unreadable) to give each a portion of (unreadable)". Excerpt 2 reads, "At this point not quite as many in your family of slaves as he had some days ago"
Details of slavery: As far as I can discern it seems that Paul Cameron is giving his father another update on the plantation. There seems to be mention of visiting the plantation and dispersing goods to 15 slaves. Paul is also telling Duncan that at this point there are not as many slaves as they had at another time.


Date: June 25, 1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Excerpt 1 reads, "Thomas has but one child-he left him morrow day before (unreadable) for the first time"
Details of slavery: This letter details the condition of Mr. Cameron’s plantation that Lewellyn is watching over. Lewellyn tells about one slave in particular, Thomas, who left a child behind.


Date: June 25, 1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter: Excerpt 1 reads, "I have some sickness among my hands. Peggy has been very sick but better. Eaton has the dropsy, so say the doctor. Aggy's child sick. Diley's child sick"
Details of slavery: This report on the condition of the plantation is very brief and concise. Lewellyn describes the crops and weather before mentioning that a few of the slaves have taken ill. Peggy, Eaton, Aggie’s child, and Diley’s child are all ill.



Date: April 8, 1847
Author: Allen C. Jones
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter:
Details of slavery: There is not any significant mention of slave holdings or plantation events. This seems to be a business letter regarding the overseers and official employees of the Cameron family plantations.


Date: February 13, 1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter: Excerpt 1 reads, "Little Joe not much improved if any. Henderson the same he was when you left. Willie's foot is not better than it was when you left. Fanny is complaining as usual".
Details of slavery: This letter opens with a report on the health of a few slaves. A few of the slaves are ill while others have different ailments.

[Robert Coven]

“I have been detained at home against my wishes and expectations, by the illness of Abner’s little child and the state of the weather. The poor little sufferer expired on yesterday about noon…”
October 20, 1844, Paul Cameron to Duncan Cameron, page 1.


“I am anxious to go to {?} to purchase some clothing for the Negro women as I mentioned in my letter / I think of the 22nd / that the plaid sent by Mr. K{?} would not do. The weather here is as cold as I ever wish to see it in any {?} for comfort—the Negroes will make an effort to get out the crop by the 25th if the weather will permit it being done—but I fear they will not do so—indeed I hope we have more cotton than they can pick in that time. They look forward to a holiday with a little {?} anxiety than they did in N.C. not with a {?} to a frolick but to rest: tho they say they want a big {?} & frolick which the overseer will be certain to give when the crop is completed.”
December 19, 1845, Paul Cameron to Duncan Cameron, page 4.


“[Anasa] has been at the point of death by now is improving and I hope will get well with good [nurturing]. [Dalice] I think is oblige to die he is very low at this time. Joe’s health I think is improving.”
July 3, 1845, Charles Lewellyn to Paul Cameron, pages 1-2.


“Eaton better, Lewis, Martin, and Orrin, are getting well. They have been very sick. Charles, Lizzy, and the two Mollys are complaining, but not very sick. Polly has a girl.”
August 7, 1845, Charles Lewellyn to Paul Cameron, page 1.



“Diley has lost his youngest child, the Doctor was not sent for to it, nor I have not sent for a doctor but once since you left; when sent for, Doctor Ring, my reason for sending for him is I wanted a doctor as soon as he could get here or not at all. Molly, Fanny, Caroline, and [Craton] are now sick but not very sick.”
May 21, 1847, Charles Lewellyn to Paul Cameron, page 1.



“I have not had to whip Milton but once since he got home and that was for coming very near and being the death of Paul through carelessness and laziness.”
May 21, 1847, Charles Lewellyn to Paul Cameron, page 2.


“My carpenters Sandy, Old Tony, and Anthony are yet at work on my houses.”
May 21, 1847, Charles Lewellyn to Paul Cameron, page 2.


“All are well. The plows all going at all the plantations. Men hands getting [tails]. We are fencing here and at Snow Hill. Bobbitt’s and Brick House hands cleaning up corn ground. [Squire] left here Tuesday Morning with the last load of cotton for Henderson. If I don’t hear from you, I shall send [Juice] to Raleigh with flour.”
December 20, 1846, William [T.] Piper to Judge Cameron, page 1.

[John Jackson]

11-18-1845

Paul Cameron to Duncan Cameron

“I arrived here on Tuesday morning, meeting with a pretty cordial reception from overseer and negroes, many of whom seem very much pleased to see me. But all were not up to greet me. Little Joe is yet in delicate health. Sandy is looking badly, having a chill every 3rd day. Henderson is about as he was 12 months ago, looking if possible a little more bleached and enfeebled. On yesterday as is custom on the plantation, as 12 O’clock Sunday, all appeared in line before the overseer’s door for inspection of their clothing and persons. They had made a fair show in all respects, in regards to clothing and cleanliness of person. The junior members of the family look very well. The elder ones are very tired of their diet pickled pork, and they have made but an indifferent crop of vegetables with the exception of turnips.” (page 1 and 2 of transcribed letter).

“Our people are not good pickers, but few have picked as high as 200 pounds a day and many will fall under a hundred.” (page 2)

“He has made a very [accided] impression upon the habits, manners, and customs of our people, improving their capacity and disposition to labor, making the rude orderly and respectful, and the idle uniform and attentive in their efforts… The negroes fear him a little more than I wish, but they regard him kind in the main and just, at least to the portion of the family who are disposed to do well.” (page 4)

“The hats I have not seen, the men’s clothing good, shoes first rate, but the plaid for the women’s backs most miserable. They will be naked before the first of February if I do not get them a better article.” (page 5-6)

10-17-1846

Paul Cameron to Duncan Cameron (not transcribed)

“We have…[unintelligible]… at the plantation a number of sick ones-enough to make me go [unintelligible]. (page 3)

“I can’t hope for good health in our family of negroes until frost” (page 3)

“We are gathering our cotton crop with more speed than our people have ever [unintelligible] before- I believe we shall make [unintelligible] quite a cleaner (?) for no: ca; said and climate (?)” (page 5)


3-1-1846

Charles Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

“Willie’s foot is a little better than it was when I first wrote to you. Old York is yet complaining. Joe and Henderson are no better nor no worse than when you left here.”
(page 1)

10-22-1846

Charles Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

“Jafus and Molly Law are both getting well, and I hope in a few days there will be no one sick on the plantation, but Caroline and Fanny Johnson are in bad health and I am afraid will not get well soon. Dr. Ring is attending them, I think they have the Dropsy.” (page 1)

“Don’t be afraid that the sick will not be attended to. I will give them all the attention I can.” (page 1)

10-20-1847

Charles Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

“..It is true I have not written to you, but it has been owing entirely to my own disposition and the illness of the negroes. We have had a great deal of sickness all the time from 15 to 40 cases all the time with chills and fever.” (page 1)

12-18-1847

Frances Cameron to Duncan Cameron

“A man servant who formerly belonged to my mother is about to be sold, and has applied me to buy him. He is not be sold for any fault, because his master wants money. He has been valued at $700, but to favour him, as he is anxious that I should get him, I am told I can have him for $550. I am particularly desirous of purchasing him, as I shall not only get a valuable servant at a price below his real value, [lest] I have just been deprived of the man we have hired for the past 3 years.”… “But a good male servant in my establishment, is indispensable, and when hiring day, as its called has passed, it’s extremely difficult to [purchase] one. I am entirely without a servant, except for one woman, the only servant I own, and though I assist her as much as I can, ‘tis impossible to get along without a man or a boy” (page 1 and 2).

[Chris Touch]

This is what I have from everything that could be read and transcribed. Does anyone know where to find a "magic lens" for the letters that do not have a transcription?

September 5, 1844 Letter from PC Cameron to Duncan Cameron
Excerpt from page 2 “Our family of blacks,….”
Excerpt from page 3
“but the land paid for, you will never regret the removal of your slaves”
March 27, 1847 Letter from Charles Llewellyn to PC Cameron
Excerpt from page 1 “Milton is at home and I have not whipped him yet, I thought it would be prudent not to whip him until he got over his trip”

January 29, 1846 Letter from K. Rayner to Duncan Cameron
Excerpt from page. 1

“ I am now on my plantation with all my negroes, mules, etc. I had fine weather from the plantation in Fayette, Tennessee to Memphis, and a quick passage of 36 hours by steamboat to this place. I have however had very bad weather, since I reached here, as it has been raining a great part of the time, which has greatly retarded me in getting the place in order for a crop…I have been very busily engaged since I reached here in repairing the negro houses, rearranging the (lob fences), etc., as I found everything of that sort greatly out of order. I am much pleased with my purchase, and if I can purchase a quarter section of Senator Ashley’s land adjoining mine, I shall have one of the best plantations on the river.”


March 23, 1847
Letter from Charles Llewellyn to PC Cameron
Excerpt from page 1
“I commenced planting corn Wednesday and would have finished Saturday morning but rain stop me from planting, I finished Monday about 2 o’clock. I have planted 200 acres of corn and there is about 75 sowed in oats. I think I have about 30 acres of land to bed, I intended to commence sowing cotton seed today but it is now pouring down raining. I have not bought anymore team yet, and as my team is in good order I will try and do without any more. There is no chance to get to the landing yet. The water, all of last week, was from the foot of the hill as you go to Mays Bottom to the landing.
December 18, 1847
Letter from K. Rayner to Duncan Cameron
I went through the counties of Perry, Henderson, Carroll, Gibson, Haywood, and Fayette, and leaving my horse at Andrew’s plantation in Fayette, I took the stage at Somerville and went to Memphis where I took a boat and reached my plantation one week ago yesterday.

[Aaron Munz]

Date: Dec 9, 1847
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Page 1: “No one very sick as far as I am informed in the family of slaves here or here abouts. But in Person, I found some very sick negroes, very seriously sick, cases of pneumonia, blistering and [unintelligible] had relieved the worst cases. I hope all will get up without much difficulty. I have my hands full.”

Date: Dec 1, 1846
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Page 1: “and with the exception of Fanny Johnston and Dave Low and Lizzy/ a daughter of Nelly/ all are well and at work –things are all cozy, which Mr L. says [unintelligible] getting with – the older members of the family look a little thin and the junior ones have grown and fattened. Milton is the only one now who has chil?? – and he is looking very well- and if prudent will soon be out: [unintelligible] he is well enough to be out today, did his overseer permit it. The family has been increased by six births during the year.
Page 2 “The negroes clothing is nearly all made, and as the cotton and corn are off the hand with be given out. I [unintelligible] that a great deal of patching has been done and the consequence is that I have not in my travels from Raleigh seen a gang of slaves so well clad as ours, seems to be none exhibited [unintelligible] of the surfaces of the skin. Lewellyn had them shod early in September. His sees to their manifest comfort and improvement and says the lot of I have sent are of excellent leather and with take them through the winter

Date: April 30, 1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter: Page 1:“Old York is dead. Joe and Henderson no worse. Willie’s foot is not yet well but better. Jincy and Diley complaining.”

Date: February 9, 1847
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter: Page 1:“There is no complaining but Delphy and Peggy and they are not sick. I have not heard from Milton since he left the plantation, and I expect he is on his way to North Carolina for he had no notion of working here. If you hear anything of him, please let me know.”

Date: December 5, 1847
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron
Letter: “ I have some hands in the house yet, but I hope all out of danger.”

Date: November 14, 1845
Author: Kenneth Rayner
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Letter: Page 3 “then I shall go to Memphis, take a boat, and examine the cotton region adjacent to the river in southern Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, make my purchase then returnand take my negroes [down].
“The Bishop has sold no more of his land than the 200 acres to Andrew, and [assigns] keeping his negroes, some 100 that are here, another year to make crop of [hemp]. Andrew will [keep] his negroes on his place in the district. Lucius and George’s wives tell me they will probably [work] again next year.”

[David Moseley]

Author: P. C. Cameron
Recipient: Hon Duncan Cameron
Date: Nov. 8, 1847
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 1 – I am gratified to learn that you have been set free from such an [unintelligible] negro disease as chill and fever. I trust you will have no further attack.
Page 2 – The weather here is very warm today, more like July than November, and yet we have a great deal of disease in our family of negros.

Author: P. C. Cameron
Recipient: Hon Duncan Cameron
Date: October 28, 1846
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 2 - This morning about ½ after 2 o’clock our faithful old friend Aunt Easter breathed her last. Through out her illness she has exhibited surprising submission and patience. We shall miss her much. For 10 years we have given her the key of the house in our absence and never found the first article out of place: was watchful over our little ones to keep them out of harms way. Such a good guard over every thing about the [unintelligible]. With but little mind she has acted well her part.

Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Mr. P. C. Cameron
Date: April 4, 1846
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 1 – Old York is yet sick and I don’t think he will get well. The doctor is attending to him. Willie’s foot is improving slow. Joe and Henderson no better. Liddy and Giney complaining.

Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Mr. P. C. Cameron
Date: January 18, 1847
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 1 – Milton left here 10 days ago, and I have not heard from him since. I told you before you left, Milton intended to run away. Henderson died last night. He got too weak before his medicine come. I will write to you again next week. All well at this time.

Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Mr. P. C. Cameron
Date: November 28, 1847
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 1 – I hope yet I shall make more than I did last year, though there has been a great waste on account of bad weather and sickness. There is 6 in the house now sick. Caroline is dead.

Author: H. Linall
Recipient: Mr. P. C. Cameron
Date: December 31, 1847
Text pertaining to slaves:
Page 1 – I was not at home yesterday when your boy was here consequently your note was not received.
Page 1 – I was [authorized] by [unintelligible] to ship part on a second class boat as you will see from papers sent to you by boy.

[Lindsey Dowling]

Lindsey Dowling
Plantation Letters

Date: October 25, 1844
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron

“As to expenses for the negroes I find Mr. Laws makes a higher estimate than I had anticipated. He says it will cost $10 for each horse and 6 or 7 dollars for each negro—that is the price heretofore with him.”
Letter, page 1.

Date: December 23, 1845
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron

“I have engaged in purchasing supplies for the plantations. I find price, a [unintelligible] about things of last year.”
Letter, page 1.

“I have no wish or want to add another food to the surface of our [unintelligible] estate in Greene—but the probability is that I shall purchase it in the belief that it may… the better [unintelligible] of what we now hold.
Letter, page 2.

“I left all [unintelligible] of the plantation with the… of ex captain … L. Henderson.
Letter, page 2.

Date: August 1, 1845
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron

“Since Mr. Ruffin left there has been two deaths Old Peter and William. Old Peter died with the congestive fever. William died with cramp colick, taken in the field and died before he could get into the house. Names of the sick now in the house. Sanday, John L, Fanny, Caroline, Pat, Molly, Becky, Lizzy, Green, Anaca.”
Letter, page 1.

“15 of my hands have been on the [unintelligible] 8 days [unintelligible]. I would have had all my fodder saved.”
Letter, page 1.

“There is none of the hands now in the house dangerous at this time. Joe’s health improved. Henderson no better.”
Letter, page 1.

Date: August 18, 1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron

“There is [Anderson], Anthony, Fanny, Milton, Peggy, and Martin sick. It appears to be almost impossible to keep Martin from having chills longer than three or four days at a time. Mary has a girl. I have commenced picking cotton, but have not weighed any yet, nor don’t expect to weigh any this week, as there is but little open and little to open.”
Letter, page 1.

Date: May 30, 1847
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Paul Cameron

“There is no part of my crop suffering for work at this time. My team in good order. Eaton, Caroline, and Liddy complaining. Dr. Moore says Fanny has dropsy of the chest. Rest all well.”
Letter, page 1.

Date: January 7, 1847
Author: William Hams
Recipient: Mr. Bennehan

“I learned from Virgil that you wished me to write to you how all were and how we were getting on. At Stagville as that were unwell when you left are better and are able to be at work except Dudley and I can’t see but little change in him since you left. Virgil says he is well. I was at the plantations below Tuesday. All were out there except Tower and Patience. Tower said he had hurt his back lifting but I except he went out the next day. Not much the matter with Patience. [Fill] said he expected to finish getting his logs together Wednesday. The plowers I think were doing pretty well. They are getting very well at Little River. They I think would have finished Buffalo this week if the weather had continued open. Tomorrow if it stops raining they will commence hauling rails and fencing. We began at the low quarter Tuesday but we are hauling leaves today while the weather will admit.”
Letter, page 1.

“We are doing what we can towards work today. Miss Lotty sent me word to remind you about getting some candles.”
Letter, page 1.

[Jason Bolchalk]

Date: 10-12-1844
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Page #: 2

"I shall now make every effort to be in readiness for the departure of our people to
the South. We should have 2 large tents made for the women and children."

“And it would be nice to get a few (unintelligible) of smaller size for children (unintelligible).

“I have not got forehand a mule—I must have enough for our wagons—(unintelligible) what more is needed for the use of a plantation cause I learn he has as cheap at the South as here.”

“Louis will certainly go with our people.”

Date: 12-13-1845
Author: Paul Cameron
Recipient: Paul Cameron’s father
Page #:

Transcription was too difficult. I was unable to make out hardly enough words to put together a sense of what the letter was talking about. It was a four page letter which I am sure contained some accounts of slavery but could not make it out.


Date: 06-01-1845
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Duncan Cameron
Page #: 1 and 2

“Mr. Cameron, I hope I shall make a (fair) crop but I certainly have got more (grafs) than ever had in a crop in all my life. There is too much crop pitched for the force if they was not to lose one day, and I will assure you there is always from five to ten in the house.”

“The lice has (injured) my cotton very much. My corn is suffering for rain.”

“Molly’s child died on Wednesday last it was only sick about four hours after it was taken, and one mule died since I wrote to you last.”

“We have several sick, no one ill. (Unintelligible) boy is much better.”

Date: 07-26-1846
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Mr. P.C. Cameron
Page #: 1

“The cotton crop is indifferent on the black land. It is (frenching) very bad and I am afraid will not make a crop. My (nuning) gun is ready and I expect my guns are also.”

“Orrin, Lewis, and Martin sick, Diley has a fine son.”


Date: 05-01-1847
Author: Charles Lewellyn
Recipient: Mr. P.C. Cameron
Page #: 1 and 2

“I think I have a better stand of cotton than I have had for the 2 last years on the first of May, and my cotton is larger than it was last year this time. There is about 300 acres to one stalk.”

“My crop of corn is very small.”

“My crop of oats is very good. I planted out yesterday 12 acres of potato slips and intend planting 12 more as soon as it rains again. I have 180 head of hogs. I received 75 barrels of pork.”

“Mary and child has been very sick. They are now well. Diley’s child is sick, but I hope better this morning than it has been. The rest all well. Team in good order.”

Date: 09-23-1846
Author: Dr. King
Recipient: Paul C. Cameron
Page #: 1 and 2

“Captain Oliver’s warehouse shelters and landing are all new and excellent and will be well conducted, that is to say the cotton will be well preserved.”

“I think you will make two thirds of a crop of cotton, which will be (I think) greatly over the average crop of this or the surrounding country. I have at this time four patients at your plantation, three of them I left today convalescing and the fourth decidedly better. I was called to see your negroe man (Limon), a large athletic man, about fifty years of age (I suppose) and found him dying. No blame as far as I could ascertain was to be attached to Mr. Lewellyn. It seems the negroe had had two chills, that Lewellyn had given him some medicine, that it had a good effect, and he believed him to be doing well. When however he discovered a change, collapse had taken place. He had blistered and stimulated him before my arrival and done everything that could have been expected at his hands. I got there in the night and he had died by daybreak the next morning. He had been healthy at your place all this summer. My calls there have been principally to chronic cases. I have made an entire cure of Eaton.”

[Cliff Haley]

Series 1.3.3, box 40, folder 939, date: 1844-12-7
P.C. Cameron to D. Cameron

I met Mr. Laws here….with or people all in good condition with the exception of Edmund, who was quite sick during the night, but I left him better we thought this morning, in my bedroom at the plantation. –page 1

I got our people into the gate of their new house about an hour by [unintelligible] last evening, just in time to escape a most tremendous fall of rain. I regret to say that I do not find the cabins equal to what I had expected from their external appearances as well as representations, nor was I permitted to go into the best, as I thought I had been promised. Colonel Armistead being about at Tuscaloosa. I shall work in Monday and get them comfortable before I do anything else. –page 1

Your [unintelligible] and instructions have filled me with much anxiety. But it is too late to look back, I could not have rented an other than what is regarded as a sickly river plantation had I desired that course, and I will never consent to hire a negro of mine out in this country whilst he shall call me master. – page 2

Mr. Laws will see you in Raleigh, and I doubt not furnish you with all the information in his possession. He will tell you that no negroes were ever brought to Alabama upon better [terms]. –page 2

series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 993, date: 1846-9-29
PC. Cameron to D. Cameron

As far as I know and care [unintelligible] our sick are better. Though we have some quite sick. Lucy at the Mill about as sick as anyone else. Solomon, Dumphry, Simon and a long list of others rapidly getting well-soon be out. –p.2

My last letter was written on the 25th. Since that time it happened that we have a great deal of chill and fever at the mill quarter in [unintelligible] I have made the best arrangement that I could for the administration f medicine by cutting it up into portions 1g. for the elder ones and 5 grains for the younger [unintelligible] with a letter [unintelligible] with instructions for the use of our usual teas and do not doubt I shall get [unintelligible] as your accounts from them as your others. P.3


series: 1.3.3, box: 41, folder: 965, date: 1845-9-17
Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

Your hands are slow pickers and the cotton is very full of dry [baf]…. Page 1

On these [servants] they are very indifferent. Page 1

3 hands in the house not very sick. Joe and Henderson the same. Both together won’t haul water for the hands. Joe is not in as good health as he was some time ago. Sanday is yet in bad health. I know that William is a great loss but it could not be helped. Page 1

series: 1.3.3, box: 42, folder: 993, date: 1846-9-21
Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

I am sorry that I am compelled to inform you that Old Simon was taken sick on Thursday and died on Friday night. The doctor was sent for on Friday but could do no good. He died with a congestive chill. Four has come in the house today: Sanday, Milton, Martin, Lizzy, and there was in the house before, Thomas, Peter, Toney, Anthony, [Fany], Aggy, Monroe. There is none of these very sick yet, but I can’t tell what their situation may be in an hour for they are dying here at every place I can hear from. You may be satisfied that I will do the best I can for the sick. Page 1


series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1012, date: 1847-7-10
Lewellyn to P.C. Cameron

Fanny and Caroline better. Juber, Molly, Peggy complaining. P. 1

series: 1.3.3, box: 43, folder: 1006, date: 1847-4-8
Allen Jones to P.C. Cameron

…this evening Lewellyn came up to send for your boy--he told me he had read your letter. [Enticing] his [hundred dollars], he said he could not leave his plantation for such a time as it would require to go for the boy and employed Mr. Barnes to go for him--Barnes returned with him in about six days and got here at two o'clock at night. Lewellyn was here waiting for him and started, as [P] was wild much morning. [Unintelligible] much [unintelligible] often has stage around, with his boy for hours. P. 1

[Michael Dykema]

Michael Dykema

Series 1.3.3, Box 40, Folder 937
From: Paul Cameron
To: Duncan Cameron
November 5th, 1844
Excerpt From Page 1: “I parted with our people and Mr. Laws just beyond Boone’s Station … I stayed out with them both nights and reduced things to a good system. I left them well organized both for the march and the encampment.”

Series 1.3.3, Box 42, Folder 989
From: Paul Cameron
To: Anthony (?)
July 30th, 1846
Excerpt From Page 2: “The larger portion of our laborers is at this time engaged in harvesting and threshing the crop. “

The majority of this letter, to the best of my ability to discern, is about the health of Cameron’s various family members and the crops themselves, with rather little about slaves.

Series 1.3.3, Box 41, Folder 962
From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Paul Cameron
August 16th, 1845
Excerpt From Page 1: “My hands are not disposed to pick what I know they ought to pick but I think they will pick better next week as we will be picking on the [macon] side where the cotton is better. Thomas picked yesterday 147 pounds, Juba 145, John York 124, Biley 143.”
Excerpt From Page 2: “The servants are healthier than they have been for some time. There is only four in the house Sanday, Orvin, Aneky, Fany. I hope in a few days they all will go out to work.”

Series 1.3.3, Box 42, Folder 991
From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Paul Cameron
August 30th, 1846
Excerpt From Page 1: “Eliza and Liddy has a girl a piece. Sandy has been very sick but is getting well. His child is sick, and I am afraid will not be raised. The general health of your servants is better than it has been for some time.”

Series 1.3.3, Box 43, Folder 1010
From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Paul Cameron
June 15th, 1847
Excerpt From Page 1: [Nelly] has been very sick. She is now working about. Caroline is in bad health. Fanny is little better than she was when I wrote to you about the first of June or the last of May. Liddy is complaining and I think she has the [grass] fever.”

Series 1.3.3, Box 43, Folder 1002
From: W.F. Wade
To: Charles Lewellyn
February 5th, 1847
Excerpt From Page 1: “There was a negro man committed to the jail of our county on the 2nd of February who calls himself Milton and says he belongs to a man living in North Carolina by the name of Cameron. He also states his master has got a plantation in Greene County, Alabama, which he state was his home and that he left there about a month ago and was making his way on to his master in NC when he was apprehended as a runaway slave. He also states his overseer is Charles Lewellyn, and I thought proper to write to you. He is in our jail and you are requested to come and prove your property, pay charges, and take him away.”
From: Charles Lewellyn
March 5th, 1847
Excerpt From Outside Of Envelope: “Mr. W.F. Wade will please to deliver to Mr. Barnes the boy Milton and you will oblige.”

[Anisha Andrews]

From: Paul Cameron
To: Duncan Cameron
Sept 5, 1844

Page 1: In our family of blacks, though we have several sick, the cases have been slight, a dose or two of [Calomel] and ipecac and soon placing them on their feet again
Page 3: have made a contract for a plantation in Marengo, about four miles distant from his own. The property of a family of brothers and sisters by the name of Gracie, sold for a division. The tract contains 1300 acres and is in the belt of black land and with a good road to the landing at [Arcola], the same used by Mr. Ruffin.
I feel your will find yourself a good deal improvished by this undertaking, but the land paid for, you will never regret the removal of your slaves.

From: Paul Cameron
To: Duncan Cameron
Dec. 9, 1845

Page 1:
The [illegible] house of [illegible] and the children all
in good health. I am not [illegible] that our Dear Milanos(?) have no steps toward her former good health.
Trust he will long live to enjoy his useful and [illegible] life.
They [illegible] think that the intelligence will not motionially effect the price of cotton.
they [illegible] the opinion that the amount of the crop is over estimated
Page 2:
He has done very little cotton picking for 10 or 12 bags-for
five day the weather warm or cold that we could do with little.
indeed for two or three days I requested the overseer to
keep the [illegible] in the house as I [illegible] suffer
more from cold
The overseer and [illegible] cannot get into the field
to day. The cotton is too wet to gather
& it is nearly [illegible] high in mud.
The women & children are engaged in shelling
corn & the men is picking cotton & [illegible] cutting.
By tonight the slaves have [illegible] 250 or 55 bags. I mean packed
I shall think and hope the slaves get out a crop of 300 & no more
I will try & have a [illegible] made of cotton and
if we can get 10 days of good picking weather it
it may take a little longer.


From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Mr. Cameron, Paul
May 11, 1845

Page 1: I am now [chopping] through my cotton. I have been at it nine days, and ought to have been done but I can’t keep my hands out of the house long enough to do any work on the plantation. I had in the house last week 15 only, and don’t think there was one sick enough to lay up one hour. I hope they all will come out in the morning and next week if it don’t rain.
My cotton and corn looks well at this time, and I am sorry to say that I have plenty of [grafs] to contend with at this time, but if we can have health I hope no part of my crop will suffer for work.
[Salby] has a daughter and [Aggy] a son, Joe and Henderson are as they was when you left here; old Tony has a
Page 2: very bad sore foot caused by sticking a piece of cane in it. [Juber] started for North Carolina a few days ago and was caught in Greensboro. He is now at home. Jim let the little bay horse run away with the plough and cut himself very bad.

From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Mr. Cameron, Paul
July 7, 1846

Page 1: Mr. Cameron I have tried to write you once in 15 days, but sometimes business and sickness prevents me from doing so. As I like to say as little about sickness as possible, sick at this time Orrinn, Peggy, Eaton, Becky Caroline, Martin, Molly, Aggy and [children] Monroe, John low, Frank, and six women not able to do anything in the crop. Willie’s foot improving, Joe better, Henderson the same.
Cotton not good, but improving, corn made by the [rain] on the 4th of July, oats cut and [shucked] and a good many [shuck] wet by the rain on the [4th].

From: Charles Lewellyn
To: Mr. Cameron, Paul
April 20, 1847
Page 1: All well except Lewis. I have got him in bed and am trying to keep off a [chill]

From J.H. Ruffin
To: Mr. Cameron, Paul
August 27, 1845

Page1: I regret the unfavorable [unintelligible] [received] from overseer as to the health of your negroes. When I left there on the 8th of July, not a single case of sickness was on the plantation except [Anarches] and she was convalescent. Your crop of corn, cotton and oats was very good: indeed better than had been on the plantation for years.