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This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
This collection was processed with support from the sponsorship of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of Preservation, Washington, D.C., 1990-1993.
This collection was microfilmed with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 32.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 20,000 items) |
| Abstract | The Hayes Collection documents three generations of the Johnston family and two generations of the Wood family who owned and managed Hayes in Chowan County, Caledonia in Halifax County, and Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County, as well as the people enslaved by these families who provided the labor at these plantations. The collection consists of correspondence, diaries, financial materials (bills of sale for enslaved people and other receipts, contracts for the hiring out of enslaved people, lists of enslaved people, account books, bonds), legal materials (wills, agreements, indentures, deeds of property and land, petitions, judgments, and suits), and photographs. Topics include politics, particularly of the colonial era, the American Revolution, and the early United States; the development and management of several plantations, as well as several fisheries, of which Greenfield in Chowan County was most prominent; the slave labor system, including the sale, purchase, and hiring out of enslaved people, and the use of enslaved people as overseers; self-emancipation and other acts of resistance by enslaved people; merchants and mercantilism; banking and finance; trade and shipping; the homefront during the Civil War; the fishing industry during the Civil War; Reconstruction and the transition to a tenant labor and sharecropping system; contemporary family life and social customs; men's education, including higher education at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina; women's education; health, mental illness, and medical treatments; travel; the economy; and the law, particularly estate administration. Pictures include photographs of portraits of Johnston and Wood family members and others, and images of the Hayes plantation house. |
| Creator | Johnston family.
Wood family. |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical Information
Gabriel Johnston (1699-1752) was born in Scotland, but moved to North Carolina in 1734 following his appointment as royal governor to the colony. He married Penelope Golland, step-daughter of Governor Charles Eden and widow of William Maule, John Lovick, and George Phenney. They had one daughter, Penelope, who in 1758 married John Dawson, son of the president of William and Mary College. Gabriel Johnston also had children named Polly, Caroline, Isabel, and Henry, although their mother's identity is unclear. Following his wife Penelope's death, Gabriel Johnston married Frances Button, who after Gabriel's death would later marry John Rutherford. During his political career Gabriel Johnston worked to improve the collection of quitrents and negotiated a partial settlement of the boundary dispute between North and South Carolina. He also accumulated over a thousand acres of land, including the Possum Quarter and Fishing Creek plantations in Granville County, N.C.; Conahoe in Tyrell County, N.C.; and Mount Gallant in Northampton County, N.C. He lived at Eden House on the Chowan River in Bertie County, N.C., where he died in 1752.
Gabriel Johnston's brother, Samuel Johnston (1702-1757), moved to North Carolina in 1735 after having been appointed surveyor-general of the colony. At his death, he owned over 10,000 acres of land in Craven County, N.C., and Onslow County, N.C. He grew corn and indigo and made tar. Prior to leaving Scotland, Samuel Johnston married Helen Scrymsoure and with her had several children: Jean, who married George Blair, an Edenton merchant; Hannah, who married James Iredell, Edenton lawyer and later United States Supreme Court justice; and Isabella, who was engaged to Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but died before the marriage took place.
Samuel and Helen's son, Samuel Johnston (1733-1816), a lawyer, politician, plantation owner, and enslaver, was born in Dundee, Scotland, on 15 December 1733 and came with his parents to North Carolina when he was two years old. He left the colony in 1750 to study in New Haven, Conn., and was later admitted to the law school at Yale College in 1751. He returned to Edenton in the fall of 1753 to read law under Thomas Barker. In May 1755, Johnston was appointed clerk of the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery for the Edenton district, and, on 16 October 1756, he was admitted to the bar. He was elected to the Colonial Assembly in 1759 and purchased the post of deputy naval officer of the colony in 1770. He served in both positions until 1775. During the Revolutionary War, Samuel Johnston served in a number of political capacities. He was a member of the First and Second Provincial Congresses, served as president for the Third and Fourth Provincial Congresses, and acted as treasurer of the Northern District between 1775 and 1777. Johnston was consulted in the drafting of the state constitution and served as paymaster of troops for the Edenton district. In 1779, he served as state senator for Chowan County, but left the position in 1780 to serve as one of North Carolina's delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1782, Johnston returned to his law practice, which he had closed prior to the war, and again served as state senator for Chowan County from 1783 to 1784. He was elected governor of North Carolina in 1787, and served in that capacity until 1789. As president of North Carolina's constitutional conventions of 1788 and 1789, he assisted in the ratification of the United States Constitution. In 1790, he moved to Philadelphia, Pa., where he served in Congress for three years. Between 1800 and 1803, he was a judge on the North Carolina Superior Court of Law and Equity. Johnston had extensive landholdings, most significant were his three plantations that were dependent on enslaved labor: Hayes in Chowan County, Caledonia in Halifax County, and Hermitage in Martin County. He also owned acreage in Pasquotank, Currituck, Tyrell, and Bertie counties. He married Frances Cathcart, daughter of Dr. William Cathcart, in May 1770. He and his wife had nine children, only four of whom survived to adulthood: Penelope, who married John Swann; Frances; Helen; and James Cathcart.
James Cathcart Johnston (1782-1865), plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman, was born 25 June 1782, in Edenton, N.C. He studied at the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University), from which he graduated in 1799. He returned to North Carolina to read law under his father's direction, and received a license to practice on 11 April 1804. Politics and law, however, did not interest him as it did his father, and Johnston elected to forge his livelihood in agriculture and trade, becoming one of the wealthiest North Carolina plantation owners, enslaving people and cultivating familial lands at Hayes, Caledonia, and Poplar Plains, as well as others that he purchased over the years. His main cash crop was corn, but he also grew wheat and cotton. The first plantation that Johnston managed was Poplar Plains, his father's Pasquotank County plantation on the Pasquotank River four miles below Elizabeth City. In 1804, he began extended visits to the plantation to oversee its development, including construction of a two-story house, a kitchen, a smokehouse, and three barns. In all, he farmed 2740 acres at Poplar Plains and at adjoining Pasquotank plantations called Body and Salem, the latter purchased from Joseph Blount in 1819. The largest of Johnston's plantations was Caledonia, located in Halifax County along the Roanoke River and inherited from his father. By 1860, he had increased its size to 7834 acres, with 271 enslaved people providing the labor. The plantation was managed by a succession of overseers, among them William B. Hathaway and Henry J. Futrell, as well as Peter and Aaron, enslaved people who served as foreman at Poplar Plains and Hayes respectively.
James Cathcart Johnston received Hayes Plantation by deed of gift dated 29 December 1814 from his father, who in his will instructed James to build a residence there for himself and his sisters. Johnston commissioned William Nichols, an English architect living in Edenton, to design the plantation house. Construction began in the fall of 1815, with enslaved and free artisans and laborers working alongside white craftsmen and workers to build Johnston's fashionable house. The Johnstons were living in it two years later. In 1860, James C. Johnston owned 1374 acres of land at Hayes and enslaved 103 people. Johnston lived at Hayes, but spent much of his time traveling to Caledonia and Poplar Plains to oversee personally their operation. His largest money crop was corn, and he also grew cotton and wheat. He raised some livestock, mostly hogs, sheep, and cattle. The plantation products to be sold were floated downriver on his own boats to storage firms at Plymouth, Elizabeth City, or Edenton. Then they were shipped, often by James's own schooners or canal boats to markets in New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, or Savannah. Commission merchants in these cities handled James' profits, buying supplies for the plantations or investing the money in bank stocks and treasury notes for him. Johnston was keenly interested in agricultural reform and experimented with many inventions in agricultural machinery. At Hayes, he constructed a windmill that he later dismantled and replaced with steam engine-powered saw, grist, and flour mills. These proved to be worthwhile investments, producing lumber, flour, and corn meal. He experimented with the Cornell machine that made barrel staves, bought cotton gins and steam-powered threshing machines, and used fertilizers. He supported construction of canals as inland waterways over which to ship his products to market. He also had a vested interest in the shipping and ship building industries, owning many of the boats and schooners used to move his product to market. In addition to the profits made from his plantations, he invested heavily in bank stocks and treasury notes. Johnston never married but did have four daughters, Mary Virginia (1815-1840), Caroline, Louisa, and Annie Edith (1831-1879), with Edith ("Edy") Wood (1795-1846), an enslaved woman he had purchased in the late 1820s and then manumitted along with their children in 1832.* Johnston's nephew of the same name, James Cathcart Johnston, and his nephew's wife lived with him at Hayes for some time, and he financially supported a number of other relatives. Johnston doubted that any of his relatives could adequately run the plantations, and therefore bequeathed his properties to three friends: Christopher W. Hollowell, Henry J. Futrell, and Edward Wood.
Edward Wood (1820-1872), a plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman, ran several steam mills and fisheries prior to inheriting Hayes Plantation. In 1843, he opened a sawmill in Gatesville, N.C., where he made barrel headings and staves in addition to shingles. In 1844, he established Montpelier, a fishery on the Albemarle Sound. A year later, he had accumulated enough capital to purchase several town lots in Gatesville, 800 acres of land belonging to his father-in-law's estate, and several enslaved people. During the 1840s, Wood moved to Greenfield Plantation in Chowan County where he grew wheat, corn, and oats, and raised cattle, hogs, and sheep. In 1850, he acquired partial ownership in a steam mill at Hertford. In 1856, he bought town lots in Edenton and became a co-partner in the mercantile firm of J. M. Cox and Company of Hertford. Wood also was president of the Albemarle Sound Navigation Company, which owned steamboats and schooners that carried freight and passengers. During the Civil War, Wood was arrested and held hostage pending the release of a Confederate prisoner. It was during this time that he met James Cathcart Johnston, who participated in negotiations to free him. Shortly thereafter, Johnston selected Wood to be one of his heirs and co-executor of his estate. Following James Cathcart Johnston's death on 9 May 1865, Wood obtained the Hayes Plantation, including its plantation house and furnishings; Johnston's stock; and all the money Johnston had at his death. Towards the end of his life, Wood managed over 5000 acres at Hayes, Belvedere, Mulberry Hill, Atholl, Greenfield, Somerset, Ashland, Winslow, and Spruill farms, and had major crops in cotton, corn, wheat, orchard fruits, and vegetables. He also owned successful fisheries at Skinner Point, Greenfield, Montpelier, Frying Pan, and Drummond Point. Wood married Caroline Moore Gilliam (1824-1886) and with her had ten children: Mary Francis (born and died in 1845), Sarah Elizabeth (1846-1876), who married Octavius Coke, a North Carolina secretary of state, in 1906; Mary Moore (1848-1893); Edward (1851-1898); John Gilliam (1853-1920); James (1856-1876); Francis (1858-1926); Annie Augusta (b. 1861); Julian Gilliam (b. 1863); and Henry Gilliam (b. 1868). He also reportedly fathered a daughter, Mariah, by an enslaved woman.
At Wood's death in 1872, his wife Caroline and his brother William C. Wood took over the management of his properties. Caroline was active in running the Hayes Farm and had extensive correspondence with the wholesalers in the northern markets. Following the death of William C. Wood, Caroline was assisted by her sons, Edward and John Gilliam, who were educated at the University of Virginia, and Frank, who attended the University of North Carolina. Edward and Frank were instrumental in running the fisheries, while John Gilliam spent most of his time administering to the farms. Upon the decline of the fishing industry in the Albemarle Sound region, John Gilliam and Frank enlarged the farms to grow cotton, peanuts, and fruits. They were involved in the establishment of the Edenton Peanut Company, the Chowan Cotton Oil and Fertilizer Company, and the Edenton Cotton Mill Company, of which Frank became the president. He also served on the Chowan County Board of Commissioners and on the North Carolina Board of Agriculture. He and John Gilliam were directors of the Bank of Edenton, founded in 1894 by their brother Julian Gilliam.
The enslaved community at the Johnston and Wood family plantations numbered in the hundreds, if not more than 1000 people, over the period of 1735-1865. As of 1860, the U.S. federal census slave schedule indicates that James Cathcart Johnston enslaved 271 individuals, and Edward Wood enslaved 46 individuals. Lists of enslaved people and bills of sale for enslaved people may help to create a census of the individuals and families enslaved by the Johnstons and Wood. Many of the enslaved individuals at Hayes were engaged in planting and harvesting cotton and food crops, fishing, raising livestock, felling and milling trees for lumber, and running the house and kitchen. Enslaved people also grew their own crops and livestock, ennabling them to trade with merchants on credit brokered through Johnston's accounts. Corrrespondence and hiring out contracts may provide insights into the occupations and health of individuals.
*Biographical information about James Cathcart Johnston was updated in July 2022 to include information about Edith Wood and her children with Johnston based on research by Mary Maillard published in ""Faithfully Drawn from Real Life": Autobiographical Elements in Frank J. Webb's The Garies and Their Friends," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography Vol. 137, No. 3 (July 2013), pp. 261-300.
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Scope and Content
The Hayes Collection documents three generations of the Johnston family and two generations of the Wood family who owned and managed Hayes in Chowan County, Caledonia in Halifax County, and Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County, as well as the people enslaved by these families and who provided the labor for the plantations. The collection consists of correspondence, diaries, financial materials (bills of sale for enslaved people and other receipts, contracts for the hiring out of enslaved people, lists of enslaved people, account books, bonds), legal materials (wills, agreements, indentures, deeds of property and land, petitions, judgments, and suits), and photographs. Topics include politics, particularly of the colonial era, the American Revolution, and the early United States; the development and management of several plantations, as well as several fisheries, of which Greenfield in Chowan County was most prominent; the slave labor system, including the sale, purchase, and hiring out of enslaved people, and the use of enslaved people as overseers; self-emancipation and other acts of resistance by enslaved people; merchants and mercantilism; banking and finance; trade and shipping; the homefront during the Civil War; the fishing industry during the Civil War; Reconstruction and the transition to a tenant labor and sharecropping system; contemporary family life and social customs; men's education, including higher education at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), the University of Virginia and the University of North Carolina; women's education; health, mental illness, and medical treatments; travel; the economy; and the law, particularly estate administration. Pictures include photographs of portraits of Johnston and Wood family members and others, and images of the Hayes plantation house.
Parts of the collection were microfilmed in the 1980s, at which time the collection was divided into two subgroups identified as microfilmed or unmicrofilmed materials. Each subgroup is divided into Johnston or Wood family series. Materials donated after the microfilming of the collection can be found in the unmicrofilmed series.
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Series Quick Links
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Subgroup 1. Microfilmed materials.
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Series 1. Johnston Family, 1694-1865 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological.
Correspondence and financial and legal materials documenting three generations of the Johnston family of North Carolina and others, including the people enslaved by them. Of note are materials relating to Gabriel Johnston (1699-1752), royal governor of the colony of North Carolina; and his brother, Samuel Johnston (1702-1757), plantation owner, enslaver, and surveyor-general of the colony of North Carolina; Samuel Johnston's son, Samuel Johnston (1733-1816), lawyer, governor, United States senator, judge, plantation owner, and enslaver; and Samuel Johnston's (1733-1816) son, James Cathcart Johnston (1782-1865), plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman. Enslaved people are documented in tax lists, bills of sale, hiring out contracts, and in correspondence. There are some letters written by enslaved people, but the majority of letters that report on the lives of enslaved people are written from the perspective of white people. These letters often provide the names of enslaved people and describe the work they performed, their acts of resistance, and health concerns.
Materials provide insight into North Carolina and United States history from the colonial period through the Civil War. Researchers will find the series rich in information on government and politics at both a state and national level; antebellum plantation management, including crop production and agricultural reform, sales and trade, overseers' roles, and the slave labor system; contemporary family life and social customs; education and school life; health, mental illness, and medical treatment; law, particularly estate administration; merchants and mercantilism; and banking and finance.
This series has been divided into two subseries based on material type. The first subseries contains loose papers while the second contains bound volumes, both of which have been arranged chronologically.
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Subseries 1.1. Johnston Family Papers 1694-1865.
Arrangement: chronological.
Personal, business, and political correspondence, and financial and legal materials documenting the lives of three generations of the Johnston family of Edenton, N.C., the people enslaved by them, and early North Carolina and United States history. Researchers will find the series rich in information on government and politics at both a state and national level during the Colonial period, the Revolutionary War, and the early United States; antebellum plantation management including crop production and agricultural reform, shipping and trade, overseers' roles, and the slave labor system; contemporary family life and social customs; education and school life; health, mental illness, and medical treatment; law, particularly estate administration; merchants and mercantilism; and banking and finance. Legal and financial materials include indentures, deeds, surveys, wills, judgments and suits, bills of lading, receipts, bills of sale for enslaved people, account sheets and ledgers, and inventories.
Enslaved people are documented in tax lists, bills of sale, hiring out contracts, and in correspondence. There are some letters written by enslaved people, but the majority of letters that report on the lives of enslaved people are written from the perspective of white people. These letters often provide the names of enslaved people and describe the work they performed, their acts of resistance, and health concerns.
The series has been divided into three descriptive sections based on significant shifts that signal a change in the cast of characters and/or the subjects treated during a specific time span.
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Subseries 1.1.1. Johnston Family Papers, 1694-1759.
Arrangement: chronological.
Financial papers and legal documents include agreements and indentures, deeds of land, legal suits, and wills that relate to Gabriel Johnston and his wife Penelope, step-daughter of Governor Charles Eden and the widow of William Maule, John Lovick, and George Phenney. The bulk of the materials relate to estate settlements for all of Penelope's previous husbands. However, there are a few land surveys that may have been prepared by Samuel Johnston (1705-1757). Materials relating to Gabriel Johnston's political career are few, although there are papers relating to the collection of quitrents, the dispute over the North and South Carolina border, and a 1748 address to the House of Burgesses. Some land grants date from the 1850s.
Materials documenting enslaved people include a list of enslaved people and a deed.
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Subseries 1.1.2. Johnston Family Papers, 1750-1810.
Arrangement: chronological.
Papers relating chiefly to Samuel Johnston (1733-1816) including personal, business, and political correspondence; financial papers, including account sheets, bills and receipts, inventories, and merchandise ledgers; and legal documents, such as judgments and suits, agreements and indentures, deeds of land and property, and wills. Papers highlight a broad spectrum of subjects, including early North Carolina and United States politics and government; social, economic, and military developments during wartime; law, especially estate administration; family life and social customs; health; education and school life; plantation administration, including slavery; and mercantilism.
From 1750 to 1757, letters from Samuel Johnston (1702-1757) to his son, deal with the younger Johnston's financial situation, his law education, and his procurement of a superior court clerkship. A 1757 letter concerns the death of the older Johnston's wife in child birth.
Following Governor Gabriel Johnston's death in 1752, there is extensive correspondence, legal notes and petitions, receipts, and land surveys and deeds pertaining to the settlement of his estate. Starting in 1756, there was a long series of court disputes over the settlement of the estate. In the first one, his executors brought Gabriel's widow Frances Rutherford to court for having failed to release Gabriel's land and personal effects to his daughter and Frances' stepdaughter Penelope. Penelope lived with her stepmother until 1854, when Frances married John Rutherford. Shortly thereafter, Penelope was removed from the guardianship of the Rutherfords and sent to live with Dr. William Cathcart. Later she lived with Governor Robert Dinwiddie in Williamsburg, Va., where she met John Dawson, whom she married in 1758. These events are well documented in the correspondence of this series.
The remainder of the settlement disputes involve the distribution of money that Gabriel left to his relatives. Henry Laurens was extensively involved in obtaining the money for the executors, and his letters reveal the difficulties in fulfilling the stipulations of Gabriel's will. Other individuals involved in the settlement were Gabriel Johnston's other daughter, Isabel Johnston, and members of the Ferrier (sometimes spelled Ferriar) family in Largo, Scotland.
Correspondence with the Ferrier family, chiefly Elizabeth "Eliza" Ferrier, Gabriel Johnston's sister, her husband John Ferrier, and their sons James Ferrier and Robert Ferrier, begins in 1757. Although many of the letters refer to developments in the Gabriel Johnston estate settlement, a broad range of topics also are discussed, including Ferrier/Ferriar and Johnston family genealogy, local politics and social attitudes towards government, economic concerns, business and trade, and health issues, including a letter describing the death of Gabriel Johnston's son Henry from the "bloody flux" in Edinburgh on 6 December 1771.
Correspondence with Penelope Johnston Dawson, Samuel Johnston's (1733-1816) cousin, begins in the late 1750s and continues throughout this subseries. Her letters detail family and social life, social customs such as marriage and courtship, education of children, and health concerns, particularly the ague fever and an outbreak of small pox at Hayes in 1773. Following the death of her husband, Penelope also sought Johnston's advice in regards to plantation business, such as the selling of tar and livestock and the purchase of sundry goods. In 1772, she wrote several letters criticizing an overseer's treatment of enslaved people and asked Johnston to intercede.
Correspondence with business partners and friends also discuss plantation management. Letters provide insight into the functioning of Samuel Johnston's three major plantations--Hayes in Chowan County, Caledonia in Halifax County, and Hermitage in Martin County--and mention selling, purchasing, and hiring-out of enslaved people; overseer recommendations; and general concerns regarding livestock and planting. Samuel Johnston's personal financial materials, including account sheets, receipts, inventories, and surveys for his various plantations, are also a rich source of information on plantation management. Beginning in the early 1780s there are annual statements of taxable property for Johnston's land holdings, which often include lists of enslaved people. Other materials documenting enslaved people include bills of sale and receipts for medical treatment.
Political and military developments of the 18th century are frequently discussed within the correspondence. Several letters mention events surrounding the French and Indian War. Also included are a description of a bill for the protection of the colonies against the French (October 1755) and Henry Johnston's recount of Major James Grant's battle at Fort Duquesne, Pa. (20 September 1758).
Later correspondence documents events leading up to the American Revolution and include a letter regarding the repeal of the Stamp Act (1765) and a 10 June 1771 account of an engagement during the War of the Regulation (possibly the Battle of Alamance). Additionally, correspondence, particularly that with Thomas Barker, Samuel Johnston's agent in England during the 1760s and 1770s, discuss the escalating tension between Great Britain and the colonies and provide insight into how the general population, both in America and Great Britain, viewed the declining relations.
During the Revolutionary War period, letters document the establishment and training of militia troops, particularly the Independent Company of Edenton and the activities of Colonel Andrew Knox; the procurement of gun powder, turpentine, tar, arms and other supplies, particularly drums and fifes and a flag with the words "Liberty or Death" (29 June 1775); and covert intelligence activities. Letters also describe events in North Carolina, such as resistance from the Regulators and others living in the western part of the state, defense of the coast and port closures, and public backlash against individuals who were not friendly to the American cause, including several instances of tar and feathering.
Political developments of this era are documented, including the election of officials to the Provincial Congress and the General Congress in Philadelphia, Pa., and the drafting of the Constitution. Following the war, correspondence provides insight into Johnston's activities while acting as the governor, and later, senator of North Carolina.
Following his term in the senate Johnston returned to Hermitage Plantation in Martin County, N.C. He continued to correspond with Joseph Anthony and John Maybin, his business contacts in Philadelphia, and their letters give accounts of the plantation products sold for Johnston; of commodities, foodstuffs, and bank stock bought for him; and of political and economic developments throughout the nation. Similar letters also were received from the merchant and investor Robert Lenox and his philanthropist son, John Lenox, both of New York City. Materials related to George Blair and Hindley and Needham, a large mercantile firm, reveal much about merchants and trade at that time.
After the war, Johnston's correspondence with relatives and business agents in Great Britain, particularly Alexander Elmsley and Peter Elmsley of England, discuss foreign market news, the growing conflict between England and France, the French Revolution, and American anxiety over the Louisiana Territory (14 August 1802).
Also of note are estate and bankruptcy settlements handled by Johnston. Of particular interest are those materials related to Sir Nathaniel Duckenfield and his mother Margaret Pearson, for whom Samuel tried to recover land confiscated during the Revolutionary War.
Materials of James Cathcart Johnston (1782-1865) begin around 1793 and consist of letters written to his father while attending the College of New Jersey. Between 1799 and 1805, correspondence between James Cathcart Johnston and his classmates touches on such topics as business, courtship, dueling, and suicide.
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Subseries 1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865.
Arrangement: chronological.
Chiefly business and personal correspondence and financial and legal papers concerning the operation of James Cathcart Johnston's plantations and his involvement in the shipping industry. Financial materials include account sheets; inventories; bills of sale for enslaved people; bills of lading; receipts for overseers wages and medical treatments for both Johnston's family and the people he enslaved; hiring out contracts for enslaved people; and tax information, including tax lists that documented enslaved people. Legal documents include land surveys and deeds, agreements and indentures, judgment and suits, and wills.
Letters of overseers, shippers, and merchants to Johnston reveal many details of plantation administration, such as farming procedures, planting and harvesting of crops, the volume of production each season, delivery of crops to various local storage firms, payments of accounts, and the supplies needed to run the plantation. Materials also document individual enslaved people and give some insights into the lived experience of enslaved people at Johnston's plantations, although chiefly from the perspective of white people. Enslaved people, for example, were permitted to raise and sell crops from their own garden plots, and often were supervised by an enslaved foreman while Johnston vacationed or took trips to his other plantations. Records also document the provision of shoes, hats, blankets, and medical care. There are also some letters and bills that indicate that enslaved people engaged in acts of resistance, including theft and self-emancipation, that sometimes ended in jail time or acts of violence against them. There are some letters written by the enslaved people who were working as foremen for Johnston. Correspondence between Johnston and overseers and foreman frequently include the names of enslaved people.
Johnston's letters also discuss the successes and failures of many of his agricultural and machinery experiments. Construction projects, such as buildings at Poplar Plains (1811-1815), a new residence at Hayes, and a windmill at Hayes that was later dismantled and replaced with steam engine-powered saw, grist and flour mills, are also well documented.
Letters document the hiring of trading vessels and shipping contracts, insurance and compensation for damaged goods, interruptions in trade, market conditions and prices, and investment of profits. Other financial concerns include Johnston's investments in bank stock and treasury notes, the decline of banks and currency during the 1820s and 1830s, and the success of Johnston's lumber mill and the sale of timber.
Notable business correspondents include the following people and firms: John Wilkes, Zachariah Howell, William B. Hathaway, Henry J. Futrell, James Palmer, John Spears, and C. W. Hollowell, all overseers or managers on the plantations; Aaron and Peter, who were enslaved by Johnston and who acted as foremen/overseer's assistants; Angelo Garibaldo, Johnston's private river captain and shipper; Clark, Carnal and Co., John Popelston, John C. Ehringhaus, Clark, Cox and Co., James Gordon and Jacob N. Gordon, Bryan & Clark Co., J. and O. Fearing, Samuel Kissam, Bryan & Maitland Co., all wholesale houses in Plymouth, Elizabeth City and Edenton, N.C., that stored and shipped products to market; Hardy Brothers, Maitland, Kennedy and Co., commission merchants in Norfolk, Va.; Whedbee & Dickinson, commission merchants in Baltimore, M; Robert Lenox & Son, Blount & Jackson Co., Bryan & Maitland Co., Sawyer & Whedbee Co., Hicks and Smith Co., Brown and DeRosset Co., Williams, Bee and Co., John S. Bryan and Co., J. G. Hicks Co., commission merchants in New York City.
Johnston's family life is most evident in letters relating to the financial support and education provided for various relatives. Johnston paid for the education of many relatives and friends, particularly the Iredell grandchildren of his aunt Hannah Iredell and the Alston and Johnston grandchildren of his uncle John Johnston. Letters from Thomas Johnston detail the life of a student at the University of North Carolina between 1819 and 1821 and his apprenticeship to study medicine in Hillsborough. In 1820, Wooton Wright Hawkes wrote about his education and his impression of the people in Paris. Annie Iredell wrote several letters in 1831 describing her courses of study while in Philadelphia, Pa.
Beginning in 1838 correspondence focuses on Joseph Blount, who suffered from mental illness. Letters provide insight into the medical treatment of and social attitudes towards mental illness during this period. Charles Evans of the Friends Asylum in Philadelphia, Pa., details Blount's mental health and treatments, and provides recommendations for his future well-being. Blount wrote many letters concerning his health and daily activities, and Johnston received reports from family members and friends that express concern regarding Blount's outward behavior.
Other notable personal correspondents include members of the Alston and John T. Johnston families, who migrated to Tennessee and Mississippi in the 1830s and wrote of their experiences; Ebenezer Pettigrew and William S. Pettigrew, who often wrote of their opinions on local politics, plantation management, and slavery; and James Johnston Pettigrew, who gave detailed accounts of his European tour and his opinions on antebellum Charleston society.
During his leisure hours, Johnston traveled a great deal. He frequently journeyed to New York City and Saratoga Springs to visit friends. In 1845, he leased a cabin at White Sulphur Springs in Greenbrier County, Va., and thereafter became a regular summer and fall visitor to this and other fashionable mountain resorts in Virginia. In 1859, he bought a farm at Cedar Creek in Bath County, Va., built a house and log cabins, and began planting crops. However, the outbreak of the Civil War curtailed his plans to create a mountain retreat.
Beginning in 1860, correspondence documents the social unrest caused by political tensions between the North and the South. As early as June, James Johnston Pettigrew wrote of his fear that this discord would eventually erupt in war. Letters from correspondents in New York and Baltimore reflect the state of politics and the disruptions in trade as early as November. Johnston's letters to friends and business partners are highly critical of the Secession Movement of 1860-1861.
In 1861, letters concern banks and banking, stocks and bonds, and the fluctuations in the value of currency. Frequent letters from Captain Angelo Gariboldo document the state of trade and shipping during the early years of the war.
Letters from overseers continue to document the management of Johnston's various plantations throughout the war, with references to acts of resistance by enslaved people, including self-emancipation and work reductions. Later correspondence mentions the drafting of enslaved people to fight in the Confederate States Army. Johnston's correspondence with Henry Futrell and C. W. Hollowell share opinions on the war and slavery.
There are very few letters from soldiers, but letters from business associates and family members describe military engagements and reflect on the effects of the war on society. Letters from William Hardy of Norfolk, Va., document the burning of the Naval yard, blockade of the harbor, and arrival of troops in 1861. Letters from women, particularly of the Iredell family, often relay news received from sons on the battlefield.
Throughout the Civil War, James C. Johnston lived at Hayes with his cousin, James Cathcart Johnston Jr., and his wife, who helped with the management of the plantation. Edenton, like many other southern towns, suffered from pillaging by "buffaloes," Union soldiers, and Confederate guerrillas, and fear of these attacks lead James Cathcart Johnston Jr. and his wife to flee the plantation on three separate occasions. In 1863, following the third such incident, Johnston hired a man to help him manage his mills, farmed with the help of friends, and bought small lots of land to get rid of his worthless paper securities. He also wrote his will, in which he gave his real and personal property to three friends and made them co-executors of his estate. Edward Wood, an Edenton businessman, received his Chowan County property, including Hayes. Christopher W. Hollowell, a resident of Pasquotank County who had managed Johnston's farms in that area was given Poplar Plains and the other Pasquotank properties. Caledonia's manager, Henry J. Futrell, inherited the property in Halifax and Northampton counties.
In th summer of 1864, Union forces raided Hayes. Johnston subsequently demanded protection and the military government issued him a safeguard. It stated that Johnston was a "loyal and well disposed citizen" and that the Union forces were to respect his person and property. At the end of the war, most of Johnston's properties emerged relatively unscathed.
Johnston died in 1865. His cousins challenged the legitimacy of his will and its accompanying letters of instruction written to the executors, claiming that Johnston had been mentally unstable when he had written the will and the letters. The will was finally established as legal in 1867, but the estate was not settled until 1871 because additional suits were brought against its executors. For more information on the settling of the Johnston estate see the Wood family papers (Series 2.1.1).
| Folder 192 |
January 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 192January 5: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. Undated: List of enslaved people amounts of credit next to names. |
| Folder 193 |
February 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 193 |
| Folder 194 |
March 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 194March 2: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 195 |
April 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 195 |
| Folder 196 |
May 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 196 |
| Folder 197 |
June 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 197June 16: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. June 29: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 198 |
July 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 198 |
| Folder 199 |
August 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 199August 7: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 200 |
September 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 200September 9: Receipt for labor of Pompy and bricks that James Cathcart Johnston bought from James Cunningham, a free Black businessman in Edenton. |
| Folder 201 |
October 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 201 |
| Folder 202 |
November 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 202November 20: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 203 |
December 1811 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 203 |
| Folder 204 |
January 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 204Undated: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 205 |
February 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 205Undated: List of enslaved people. February 13: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. February 23: Record related to emancipation. February 24: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. February 28: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 206 |
March 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 206 |
| Folder 207 |
April 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 207 |
| Folder 208 |
May 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 208May 9: Record related to emancipation. May 23: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 209 |
June 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 209 |
| Folder 210 |
July 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 210 |
| Folder 211 |
August 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 211 |
| Folder 212 |
September 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 212September 8: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 213 |
November 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 213 |
| Folder 214 |
December 1812 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 214December 28: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 215 |
January-March 1813 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 215January 25: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. January 27: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. |
| Folder 216 |
April-June 1813 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 216April 19: Letter signed Geo in Edenton to James Cathcart Johnston, describing work done at the plantation. George and Sam, who were enslaved by Johnston are mentioned. April 20: Letter from George Blair in Edenton to James Cathcart Johnston, asking for further communication, and mentioning an enclosed memorandum from Sam, who was enslaved by Johnston. April 26: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 217 |
July-September 1813 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 217July 8: Letter from Sam to his enslaver James Cathcart Johnston in Williamston, discussing communications with the bricklayer who would work on the chimney and the poor condition of the crops due to drought. July 15: September 22: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 218 |
October-December 1813 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 218october 9: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. |
| Folder 219 |
January-March 1814 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 219February 16: List of enslaved people. March (undated): List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 220 |
April-June 1814 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 220 |
| Folder 221 |
July-September 1814 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 221July 1: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 222 |
October-December 1814 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 222November 4: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 223 |
January-March 1815 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 223 |
| Folder 224 |
April-June 1815 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 224May (undated): List of enslaved people. May 4: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 225 |
July-September 1815 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 225 |
| Folder 226 |
October-December 1815 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 226 |
| Folder 227 |
January-April 1816 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 227Undated: John Parker's receipt for payment for protection of people enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston. Undated: 3 lists of enslaved people and amount of corn harvested by each. |
| Folder 228 |
May-August 1816 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 228 |
| Folder 229 |
September-December 1816 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 229November (undated): List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 230 |
January-February 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 230January 7: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. |
| Folder 231 |
March-April 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 231March 19: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. April 7: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 232 |
May-June 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 232June 5: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 233 |
July-August 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 233 |
| Folder 234 |
September-October 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 234October 27: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 235 |
November-December 1817 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 235November 11: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 236 |
January 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 236January 1: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. January 29: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. Undated: Letter (fragment), that mentions that the will, possibly that of Samuel Johnston (1733-1816), intended for the plantations and enslaved people to be kept together. Undated: Receipt for the hiring out of Harry, who was enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston, to Edmond Hoskins in 1818. Undated: List of enslaved people and corn made and delivered by each. |
| Folder 237 |
February 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 237 |
| Folder 238 |
March 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 238 |
| Folder 239 |
April 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 239 |
| Folder 240 |
May 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 240 |
| Folder 241 |
June 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 241 |
| Folder 242 |
July 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 242July 22: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 243 |
August 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 243 |
| Folder 244 |
September 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 244 |
| Folder 245 |
October 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 245October 6: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 246 |
November 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 246November 21: Frank, who was enslaved by James C. Johnston, and Isaac, who may have been enslaved by Charlton Yellowby, had self-emancipated but had been captured and returned to Northampton County, N.C. Frank was found at Connoconary Swamp. At the time of this letter, two enslaved women who also had self-emancipated remained at liberty. |
| Folder 247 |
December 1818 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 247 |
| Folder 248 |
January 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 248 |
| Folder 249 |
February 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 249February 16: a receipt for prison charges for a woman enslaved by James C. Johnston. The fee was paid to Joshua Daffin by Charlton Yellowby. |
| Folder 250 |
March 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 250 |
| Folder 251 |
April 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 251 |
| Folder 252 |
May 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 252 |
| Folder 253 |
June 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 253 |
| Folder 254 |
July 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 254 |
| Folder 255 |
August 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 255 |
| Folder 256 |
September 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 256 |
| Folder 257 |
October 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 257October 10: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. October 15: Bill for medical care provided by Dr. Griffith to Stephen, who was enslaved by James Cathcart Johnson, while Stephen was jailed at Norfolk County, N.C. October 15: Bill from William Barnard of Norfolk County for expenses relating to advertising, apprehension, and jailing of Stephen, who was enslaved by James Cathcart Johnstson. |
| Folder 258 |
November 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 258 |
| Folder 259 |
December 1819 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 259December 4: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. December 26: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. December 26: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 260 |
January 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 260 |
| Folder 261 |
February 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 261 |
| Folder 262 |
March 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 262March 18: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 263 |
April 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 263April 24: Receipt for expenses related to ferriage of an enslaved boy to Plymouth, N.C. |
| Folder 264 |
May 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 264May 4: Bill for supporting Poll and her three children, who were enslaved to the orphaned heirs of Samuel W. Johnston. May 27: Letter from John Johnston at Plymouth to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, discussing hiring terms for a person enslaved to his father's estate who suffered from a cancer on his foot. The enslaved person had been hired out to Benjamin T. Slade. |
| Folder 265 |
June 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 265June 17: Stephen, who was enslaved by James C. Johnston, had self-emancipated but had been captured and jailed at Norfolk. The letter from Joseph Blount explains the terms of gaining Stephen's release from the jail. |
| Folder 266 |
July 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 266 |
| Folder 267 |
August 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 267August (undated): List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 268 |
September 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 268 |
| Folder 269 |
October 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 269October 30: Sam, who was enslaved by James C. Johnston at Poplar Plains, apparently had engaged in acts of resistance and was thought to be on his way to Juniper Swamp until John Hallowell had him jailed. |
| Folder 270 |
November 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 270 |
| Folder 271 |
December 1820 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 271December 25: List of enslaved people; record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 272 |
Jannuary 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 272 |
| Folder 273 |
February 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 273February 27: Jack, an enslaved person at Salem, reportedly self-emancipated on February 10, possibly to Edenton to see Lucy, who may already have been in a romantic relationship with Abraham. |
| Folder 274 |
March 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 274 |
| Folder 275 |
April 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 275 |
| Folder 276 |
May 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 276May 3: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 277 |
June 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 277June 22: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 278 |
July 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 278 |
| Folder 279 |
August 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 279 |
| Folder 280 |
September 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 280 |
| Folder 281 |
October 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 281 |
| Folder 282 |
November 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 282 |
| Folder 283 |
December 1821 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 283 |
| Folder 284 |
1-15 January 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 284January 5: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. |
| Folder 285 |
16-31 January 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 285 |
| Folder 286 |
February 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 286 |
| Folder 287 |
March 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 287March 11: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 288 |
April 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 288 |
| Folder 289 |
May 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 289 |
| Folder 290 |
June 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 290 |
| Folder 291 |
July 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 291 |
| Folder 292 |
August 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 292 |
| Folder 293 |
September 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 293 |
| Folder 294 |
October 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 294 |
| Folder 295 |
November 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 295 |
| Folder 296 |
December 1822 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 296 |
| Folder 297 |
January-February 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 297 |
| Folder 298 |
March-April 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 298March 20: Letter from John C. Ehringhaus to James Cathcart Johnston, describing a trial that occurred as a result of an encounter between Barnes Jackson, the son of Malachi Jackson, and four enslaved people, including Jim who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston, on a road between the Hollowell's house and the slave quarters at Poplar Plains. Jim allegedly fought Barnes Jackson when he attempted to take the enslaved woman into his custody and then stole the saddle from Jackson's horse. Includes discussion of legal considerations of jailing and bail for an enslaved person. March 24: Jim, who was bought from William McKinzie by the father of Lemuel Long, sued for his freedom in the high court of chancery in Richmond district. March 25: further discussion about the case, or lack thereof, against Jim. April 7: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 299 |
May-June 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 299 |
| Folder 300 |
July-August 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 300July 16: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 301 |
September-October 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 301 |
| Folder 302 |
November-December 1823 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 302 |
| Folder 303 |
1-15 January 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 303 |
| Folder 304 |
16-31 January 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 304 |
| Folder 305 |
February 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 305 |
| Folder 306 |
March 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 306 |
| Folder 307 |
April 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 307 |
| Folder 308 |
May 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 308 |
| Folder 309 |
1-15 June 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 309 |
| Folder 310 |
16-30 June 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 310 |
| Folder 311 |
July 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 311 |
| Folder 312 |
August 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 312 |
| Folder 313 |
September 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 313 |
| Folder 314 |
October 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 314 |
| Folder 315 |
November 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 315 |
| Folder 316 |
December 1824 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 316 |
| Folder 317 |
January 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 317Undated: List of enslaved people. January 13: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 318 |
1-15 February 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 318 |
| Folder 319 |
16-28 February 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 319 |
| Folder 320 |
March 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 320 |
| Folder 321 |
April 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 321April 14: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 322 |
May 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 322 |
| Folder 323 |
June 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 323 |
| Folder 324 |
July 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 324 |
| Folder 325 |
August 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 325 |
| Folder 326 |
September 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 326 |
| Folder 327 |
October 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 327 |
| Folder 328 |
November 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 328 |
| Folder 329 |
December 1825 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 329 |
| Folder 330 |
January-February 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 330January 23: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston to John Branch, defending the institution of slavery and decrying the corrupting influence of manufacturing. |
| Folder 331 |
March-April 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 331 |
| Folder 332 |
May-June 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 332June 2: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 333 |
July-August 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 333 |
| Folder 334 |
September-October 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 334October 22: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 335 |
November-December 1826 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 335 |
| Folder 336 |
January 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 336 |
| Folder 337 |
February 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 337 |
| Folder 338 |
March 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 338 |
| Folder 339 |
April 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 339 |
| Folder 340 |
May 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 340 |
| Folder 341 |
June 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 341 |
| Folder 342 |
July 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 342 |
| Folder 343 |
August 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 343 |
| Folder 344 |
September 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 344 |
| Folder 345 |
October 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 345 |
| Folder 346 |
November 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 346 |
| Folder 347 |
December 1827 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 347December 15: Letter to James Cathcart Johnston from Samuel Hyman concerning expenses for Dinah, who had been hired out by Johnston to Hyman in Williamston. The letter mentiones that Dinah's husband was a recently freed Black person. December 18: David Perry, a Black man who captained a ferry, received payment for transporting pine timber near Plymouth, N.C. December 20: An account sheet of James Cathcart Johnston with John S. Bryan that includes names of enslaved people and amounts paid to them in merchandise. |
| Folder 348 |
January 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 348 |
| Folder 349 |
February 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 349February 10: Copies of letters from James Cathcart Johnston to Ebenezar Pettigrew and James Iredell regarding purchase of enslaved people from Tredwell through Iredell. James Cathcart Johnston offered to advance the cash for the purchase. |
| Folder 350 |
March 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 350 |
| Folder 351 |
April 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 351 |
| Folder 352 |
May 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 352 |
| Folder 353 |
June 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 353 |
| Folder 354 |
July 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 354July 21: Letter from James Cathacart Johnston to Robert Lenox in which he defended slavery against the ills of manufacturing. |
| Folder 355 |
August 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 355 |
| Folder 356 |
September 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 356 |
| Folder 357 |
October 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 357 |
| Folder 358 |
November 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 358 |
| Folder 359 |
December 1828 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 359 |
| Folder 360 |
1-15 January 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 360Undated: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 361 |
16-31 January 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 361 |
| Folder 362 |
February 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 362 |
| Folder 363 |
March 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 363 |
| Folder 364 |
April 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 364 |
| Folder 365 |
May 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 365 |
| Folder 366 |
June 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 366 |
| Folder 367 |
July 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 367 |
| Folder 368 |
August 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 368August 4: letter to James Cathcart Johnston in Halifax County, N.C., from James Iredell in Raleigh, N.C., discussing sale of some of the enslaved people from the Treadwell family to Johnston and the possibility of selling other enslaved people to a speculator. August 12: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia to James Iredell confirming that he would purchase the enslaved people who had been from the Treadwell family and settle them near Edenton. He also mentioned that Peggy, who was enslaved by him, had two sons that she wanted to learn a trade. Johnston discussed training them as house carpenters and millwrights, and doing the same for the sons of Mariam, another woman enslaved by him. August 18: Letter from James Simmons to James Cathcart Johnston, documenting that Allen, Rose, Hailey, and Henry, all enslaved children, were purchased for Johnston and sent to Long's by Simmons. |
| Folder 369 |
September 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 369September 21: Bill of sale for Maryann, Tom, and Allen, who were enslaved to James Iredell from Chowan County, N.C., and sold to James Cathcart Johnston. |
| Folder 370 |
October 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 370 |
| Folder 371 |
November 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 371 |
| Folder 372 |
December 1829 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 372 |
| Folder 373 |
January-February 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 373January 14: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. Undated: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 374 |
March-April 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 374April 25: bill of sale documenting that Abraham and Sam, who were enslaved by Samuel Long(?), were sold at the court in Halifax County by James Simmons to James Cathcart Johnston. |
| Folder 375 |
May-June 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 375 |
| Folder 376 |
July-August 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 376July 3: Bill of sale in which Cromwell, an enslaved person, was bought by James Cathcart Johnston from John Cox in Chowan County. July 4: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to Robert Lenox, complaining about slavery. |
| Folder 377 |
September-October 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 377 |
| Folder 378 |
November-December 1830 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 378January 4: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. December 13: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to Robert Lenox, complaining about northern firebrands who would instigate rebellion among enslaved people. Johnston mentioned the "Salem murder," a reference to the murder of Captain Joseph White, who had been involved in the slave trade. |
| Folder 379 |
January-February 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 379February 26: Letter from Thomas Haughton to James Cathcart Johnston, indicating that he had purchased Sarah, an enslaved woman who was the mother of Lucy, a girl who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston and the carrier of the letter. |
| Folder 380 |
March-April 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 380April 14: bill from George Sam, a jailor, for fees for the jailing of a person enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston. |
| Folder 381 |
May-June 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 381 |
| Folder 382 |
July-August 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 382 |
| Folder 383 |
September-October 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 383 |
| Folder 384 |
November-December 1831 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 384 |
| Folder 385 |
January-February 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 385 |
| Folder 386 |
March-April 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 386 |
| Folder 387 |
May-June 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 387 |
| Folder 388 |
July-August 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 388 |
| Folder 389 |
September-October 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 389 |
| Folder 390 |
November-December 1832 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 390 |
| Folder 391 |
January-February 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 391February 11: Receipt, indicating that Jack, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston, had been jailed. John Gatlin, F. E. White, and Miles Elliot are mentioned on the receipt. |
| Folder 392 |
March-April 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 392 |
| Folder 393 |
May-June 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 393June 22: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 394 |
July-August 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 394July 5: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. July 8: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. July 14: Sam, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnson, appeared in court for being at liberty without a permit. July 15: A letter, probably from James Cathcart Johnston, at Hayes, mentions dismissing white overseers and relying on Black overseers to save on expenses. July 22: Letter from Ebenezer Pettigrew at Lake Phelps to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, explaining his reticence to increasing the number of enslaved people on his land. |
| Folder 395 |
September-October 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 395October 7: Records of hiring out of enslaved people. |
| Folder 396 |
November-December 1833 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 396December 16: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to Robert Lenox, acknowledging that most of his land and some of the people enslaved by him had been inherited from his grandfather William Cathcart. |
| Folder 397 |
January-March 1834 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 397 |
| Folder 398 |
April-June 1834 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 398May 9: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 399 |
July-September 1834 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 399 |
| Folder 400 |
October-December 1834 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 400October 27: Receipt for payment of fees associated with jailing of Lidia, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston. Payment was made for food, blankets, and release from jail to William D. Roscoe, sheriff, in Edenton. November 7: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 401 |
January 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 401 |
| Folder 402 |
February 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 402 |
| Folder 403 |
March 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 403 |
| Folder 404 |
April 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 404April 1: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 405 |
May 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 405 |
| Folder 406 |
June 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 406 |
| Folder 407 |
July 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 407 |
| Folder 408 |
August 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 408August 8: Letter from John T. Johnston in Hillsborough, N.C., to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, commenting on the insurrection by enslaved people in Mississippi. August 31: Receipt for payment of fees associated with jailing of Harvey, who was enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston. Payment was received by James Pruden. |
| Folder 409 |
September 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 409 |
| Folder 410 |
October 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 410 |
| Folder 411 |
November 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 411 |
| Folder 412 |
December 1835 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 412December 29: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 413 |
January 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 413 |
| Folder 414 |
February 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 414 |
| Folder 415 |
March 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 415 |
| Folder 416 |
1-15 April 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 416 |
| Folder 417 |
16-30 April 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 417April 24: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 418 |
1-15 May 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 418 |
| Folder 419 |
16-31 May 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 419 |
| Folder 420 |
June 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 420 |
| Folder 421 |
July 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 421July 16: List of names of enslaved people is written on a letter from Bryan Marlton in Plymouth to James Cathcart Johnston in Edenton. |
| Folder 422 |
August 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 422 |
| Folder 423 |
September 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 423September 8: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 424 |
October 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 424 |
| Folder 425 |
November 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 425 |
| Folder 426 |
December 1836 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 426 |
| Folder 427 |
January 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 427 |
| Folder 428 |
February 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 428 |
| Folder 429 |
March 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 429March 28: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 430 |
April 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 430 |
| Folder 431 |
May 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 431May 22: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 432 |
June 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 432 |
| Folder 433 |
July 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 433 |
| Folder 434 |
1-15 August 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 434August 3: Letter from Michael Ferrall at Halifax to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, reporting that Mr. Garris and people enslaved by Johnston had been in town making purchases for the summer. Ferrall reported on what he observed of the enslaved people and what he heard from Garris, including that Peggy, an enslaved woman, had absented herself from work, but turned herself in to Ferrall, who had returned her to Caledonia. August 8: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 435 |
16-31 August 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 435 |
| Folder 436 |
September 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 436 |
| Folder 437 |
October 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 437 |
| Folder 438 |
November 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 438 |
| Folder 439 |
December 1837 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 439 |
| Folder 440 |
January 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 440 |
| Folder 441 |
February 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 441 |
| Folder 442 |
March 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 442 |
| Folder 443 |
April 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 443 |
| Folder 444 |
May 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 444 |
| Folder 445 |
June 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 445 |
| Folder 446 |
July 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 446July 16: slavery and religion. |
| Folder 447 |
August 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 447August 23: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 448 |
September 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 448 |
| Folder 449 |
October 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 449 |
| Folder 450 |
November 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 450November 21: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 451 |
December 1838 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 451 |
| Folder 452 |
January-February 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 452 |
| Folder 453 |
March-April 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 453 |
| Folder 454 |
May-June 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 454 |
| Folder 455 |
July-August 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 455August 6: slavery and religion. |
| Folder 456 |
September-October 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 456 |
| Folder 457 |
November-December 1839 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 457 |
| Folder 458 |
January-March 1840 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 458 |
| Folder 459 |
April-June 1840 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 459May 9: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 460 |
July-September 1840 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 460 |
| Folder 461 |
October-December 1840 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 461 |
| Folder 462 |
January-March 1841 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 462 |
| Folder 463 |
April-June 1841 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 463 |
| Folder 464 |
July-September 1841 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 464 |
| Folder 465 |
October-December 1841 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 465 |
| Folder 466 |
January-February 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 466 |
| Folder 467 |
March-April 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 467 |
| Folder 468 |
May-June 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 468 |
| Folder 469 |
July-August 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 469 |
| Folder 470 |
September-October 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 470 |
| Folder 471 |
November-December 1842 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 471 |
| Folder 472 |
January-March 1843 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 472January 25: Letter from Charles Evans in Philadelphia to James Cathcart Johnston in Edenton, discussing resettlement conditions for free Black people in Liberia, Trinidad, and Jamaica. Fred Hinton, a free Black man, is mentioned as leading an agency discontinued for lack of interest in emigration among the Black population of the city. Other resettlement communities mentioned include Wilberforce, Canada; Mercer County, Ohio; Grand River, Michigan; and a settlement near to Cincinnati, Ohio. |
| Folder 473 |
April-June 1843 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 473 |
| Folder 474 |
July-September 1843 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 474 |
| Folder 475 |
October-December 1843 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 475November 3: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 476 |
January-February 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 476January 5: List of enslaved people, with amount of credit available to them to purchase goods from J. and O. Fearing in Elizabeth City. January 22: Letter from Charles Evans in Philadelphia to James Cathcart Johnston in Edenton, discussing resettlement conditions for Black people in Cape Palmas, Liberia. |
| Folder 477 |
March-April 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 477 |
| Folder 478 |
May-June 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 478May 20: slavery and religion. |
| Folder 479 |
July-August 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 479July 12: List of enslaved people with itemized purchases from Barney Tisdale in Elizabeth City. |
| Folder 480 |
September-October 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 480 |
| Folder 481 |
November-December 1844 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 481 |
| Folder 482 |
January 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 482January 11: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 483 |
February 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 483 |
| Folder 484 |
March 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 484 |
| Folder 485 |
April 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 485 |
| Folder 486 |
May 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 486 |
| Folder 487 |
June 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 487 |
| Folder 488 |
July 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 488 |
| Folder 489 |
August 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 489 |
| Folder 490 |
September 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 490September 11: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 491 |
October 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 491 |
| Folder 492 |
November 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 492 |
| Folder 493 |
December 1845 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 493December 31: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgradia to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, mentioning Peter, who was enslaved by Johnston and worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. |
| Folder 494 |
January-February 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 494 |
| Folder 495 |
March-April 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 495 |
| Folder 496 |
May-June 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 496May 21: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgradia to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, commenting on community of enslaved people at Pasquotank. |
| Folder 497 |
July-August 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 497July 25: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 498 |
September-October 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 498 |
| Folder 499 |
November-December 1846 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 499 |
| Folder 500 |
January 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 500January 24: Letter from W. J. Hardy in Norfolk to James Cathcart Johnston, mentioning Peter, who was enslaved by Johnston and worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. |
| Folder 501 |
February 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 501 |
| Folder 502 |
March 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 502 |
| Folder 503 |
April 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 503 |
| Folder 504 |
May 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 504 |
| Folder 505 |
June 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 505 |
| Folder 506 |
July 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 506July 5: Letter from W. J. Hardy in Norfolk to James Cathcart Johnston, mentioning Peter, who was enslaved by Johnston and worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank. July 24: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit at Howell & Son. |
| Folder 507 |
August 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 507 |
| Folder 508 |
September 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 508 |
| Folder 509 |
October 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 509 |
| Folder 510 |
November 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 510 |
| Folder 511 |
December 1847 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 511 |
| Folder 512 |
January-February 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 512 |
| Folder 513 |
March-April 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 513 |
| Folder 514 |
May-June 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 514June 18: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter reports on work at the plantation and mentions Osborne, Nixon, Bithy(?), and Hannah, who also were enslaved by Johnston. |
| Folder 515 |
July-August 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 515 |
| Folder 516 |
September-October 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 516September 21: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston at Norfolk explaining his intention of becoming better acquainted with the community of enslaved people after his father had died. Pettigrew also reported on the terms of his father's estate. |
| Folder 517 |
November-December 1848 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 517December 7: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, mentioning Henry, an enslaved overseer at Magnolia, and Moses, an enslaved overseer at Belgrade. Pettigrew also explained his preference for not hiring white overseers. |
| Folder 518 |
January 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 518January 2: Account sheet for Jack Johnson, a free Black person, with Dr. James Norcom. January 6: Account sheet for Jack Johnston, a free Black person, with R. Howell & Son. January 6: List of enslaved people with credit at R. Howell & Son. January 8: Record of medical treatement by William C. Warren of people enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston. |
| Folder 519 |
February 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 519 |
| Folder 520 |
March 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 520 |
| Folder 521 |
April 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 521April 7: Letter from Peter to his enslaver James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter reports on work at the plantation and mentions Prince, Daniel, and Nixon, who were also enslaved by Johnston. April 16: Letter from James Johnston Pettigrew at Charleston to James Cathcart Johnston, mentioning slavery meetings and disunion speeches, wine, armed guards to protect against a Black-led resistance, repercussions for Black people caught out without a pass. |
| Folder 522 |
May 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 522May 13: Letter from W. B. Hathaway to James Cathcart Johnston at Edenton, mentioning Duke and his son Tom, and Betsy, who were enslaved. |
| Folder 523 |
June 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 523 |
| Folder 524 |
July 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 524July 30: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit at Howell & Son. July 29: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 525 |
August 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 525 |
| Folder 526 |
September 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 526September 1: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes in which Jim, who was enslaved by William S. Pettigrew, is identified as a carpenter. Pettigrew reported on cholera and plans to build more housing for enslaved people, and commented on the impact of climate on plantation management. |
| Folder 527 |
October 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 527October 10: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. October 27: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes work on the plantation and also mentions Ben, who was enslaved by Johnston. |
| Folder 528 |
November 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 528November 6: slavery patrols and patrollers. |
| Folder 529 |
December 1849 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 529 |
| Folder 530 |
January 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 530 |
| Folder 531 |
February 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 531 |
| Folder 532 |
March 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 532March 7: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 533 |
April 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 533April 5: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 534 |
May 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 534 |
| Folder 535 |
June 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 535June 1: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter reports on conditions at the plantation and also mentions Dianah, who was enslaved to Johnston. June 15: Letter from an enslaved person. June 22: Letter from an enslaved person. June 29: Letter from an enslaved person. June 29: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston at Edenton describing work on his plantation by enslaved people. |
| Folder 536 |
1-15 July 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 536July 13: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter reports on conditions at the plantation. July 13: Letter from James Sawyer at Poplar Plains to James Cathcart Johnston at White Sulphur Springs, Greenbriar County, in which many enslaved people are identified and the work they performed July 6-12 is described. July 15: a letter from S. J. Johnston in Edenton to James Cathcart Johnston at White Sulphur Springs in Green Brier County, Va., reporting that Joe and Betty, who were enslaved to W. Bockover, had been accused of stealing 12,000 dollars from their enslaver. George Lowther, who was enslaved to W. Lowther, was accused of being an accomplice. |
| Folder 537 |
16-31 July 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 537July 23: Letter from an enslaved person. July 27: Letter from an enslaved person. July 28: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 538 |
August 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 538August 3: Letter from an enslaved person. August 8: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. August 11: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes labor, crops, and conditions at the plantation. August 18: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes labor, crops, and conditions at the plantation. August 18: Letter from John C. Ehringhaus to James Cathcart Johnston at Bath, mentioning Peter. August 18: Letter from James Sawyer to James Cathcart Johnston at Bath, Va., in which many enslaved people are identified and the work they performed at Poplar Plains is described. August 25: Letter from an enslaved person. August 28: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 539 |
1-15 September 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 539September 1: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as the foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes labor, crops, and conditions at the plantation. September 14: Plantation journal entry in which enslaved people (and possibly free Black people) are identified and the work they performed, probably at Poplar Plains. The entry was written by James Sawyer. September 15: Letter from Sam I. Johnston in Edenton to James Cathcart Johnston. Osborne, Aaron, and Maria, who were enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston, are mentioned as providing nursing care to Sam I. Johnston while he was sick. September 15: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as the foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at Poplar Plains plantation. He also reported that Miles, an enslaved person, had been jailed and punished with physical violence for fighting with his wife and another man who was enslaved to Mr. Lee. |
| Folder 540 |
16-30 September 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 540September 16: Letter from Aaron at Hayes to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Aaron worked as a foreman at Hayes. His letter described the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation. September 22: Letter and plantation journal entry from James Sawyer at Poplar Plains to James Cathcart Johnston in New York, in which enslaved people are identified and the work they perfomed at the plantation is described. September 25: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as the foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation and mentions Handsome, Anthony, and Aaron, who also were enslaved to Johnston. September 28: Letter from Aaron at Hayes, to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Aaron worked as a foreman at Hayes. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation. September 29: Letter from James Sawyer at Poplar Plains to James Cathcart Johnston in New York, in which enslaved people are identified and the work they perfomed at the plantation is described. September 29: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as the foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation. |
| Folder 541 |
1-10 October 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 541October 1: Letter from Margaret Johnston to her enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston, in Baltimore. Margaret wrote about conditions and mentioned Peter, Osborne, and Aaron. October 4: Letter from Eliza Johnston, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston, reporting on the health of the enslaved people at Hayes. October 5: Letter from an enslaved person. October 6: Letter from Aaron at Hayes, to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Aaron worked as a foreman at Hayes. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation. October 6: Letter from Peter to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation and mentions Josiah and Mathias, who were also enslaved to Johnston. |
| Folder 542 |
11-31 October 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 542October 11: Letter from Peter to his enslaver James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter describes the work, crops, and conditions at the plantation. October 11: Letter from W. B. Hathaway to James Cathcart Johnston at Baltimore, reporting on sickness and death in the enslaved community at the plantation. October 13: Letter from James Sawyer at Poplar Plains to James Cathcart Johnston at Baltimore. The letter identifies enslaved people and the work they performed at the plantation. October 14: Letter from Aaron at Hayes to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston, in Baltimore. Aaron worked as a foreman at Hayes. His letter reports on work performed at the plantation. October 15: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. October 23: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. October 24: Record of clothing and household furnishings for enslaved people. |
| Folder 543 |
November 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 543 |
| Folder 544 |
December 1850 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 544December 12: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed. |
| Folder 545 |
January 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 545January 4: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 546 |
February 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 546February 27: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed.. |
| Folder 547 |
March 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 547 |
| Folder 548 |
April 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 548 |
| Folder 549 |
May 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 549May 3: Receipt indicating that James Cathcart Johnston had paid 1000 dollars for the resettlement of Betty Johnson, the widow of Jack Johnson, and their five children, in Ohio. |
| Folder 550 |
June 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 550 |
| Folder 551 |
July 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 551July 4: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 552 |
August 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 552August 4: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 553 |
September 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 553 |
| Folder 554 |
October 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 554October 12: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 555 |
November 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 555 |
| Folder 556 |
December 1851 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 556Undated: List of enslaved people with amounts credited for pork and fodder. December 3: Shipping and Commercial list with handwritten list of enslaved people and credits on verso. December 13: Letter from Peter to his enslaver James Cathcart Johnston. Peter worked as a foreman at Poplar Plains in Pasquotank County. His letter mentions Ben and Mathias, who were enslaved to Johnston. December 22: List of enslaved people with weight of hogs. |
| Folder 557 |
January 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 557January 18: Letter from Betty Johnston in Columbus, Ohio, to her former enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston in Chowan County, N.C. Betty wrote about her traveling expenses and purchasing a house and lot. She mentioned Martha as a dressmaker, Mary as a tailor, and that Noah had been hired to dray wood. January 19: List of expenses related to Betty Johnston's travel from Edenton, N.C., to Columbus, Ohio. January 31: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 558 |
February 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 558 |
| Folder 559 |
March 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 559 |
| Folder 560 |
April 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 560 |
| Folder 561 |
May 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 561 |
| Folder 562 |
June 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 562June 16: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. |
| Folder 563 |
July 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 563July 27: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 564 |
August 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 564 |
| Folder 565 |
September 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 565 |
| Folder 566 |
October 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 566 |
| Folder 567 |
November 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 567November 12: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. |
| Folder 568 |
December 1852 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 568December 23: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston, describing a rumored insurrection by enslaved people against their enslavers, Williams S. and Charles Pettigrew, and public acts of rebellion in Plymouth by people enslaved by Josiah Collins. Jim, who was enslaved by William S. Pettigrew, is mentioned as someone who should be regarded as capable of acts of rebellion against white people. |
| Folder 569 |
January 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 569Undated: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and goods by order. January 27: Letter from William S. Pettigrew to James Cathcart Johnston, denying the rumor that people enslaved by him had killed his father, Ebenezer Pettigrew, by poison. There is some discussion of the enslaved community at Magnolia and Belgrade from the perspective of the white enslaver. The motivations of the overseer, "Mr. C.," are also discussed. Jim, who was enslaved to William S. Pettigrew, is mentioned as someone who should be regarded as capable of acts of rebellion against white people. |
| Folder 570 |
February 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 570 |
| Folder 571 |
March 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 571March 10: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. |
| Folder 572 |
April 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 572 |
| Folder 573 |
May 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 573 |
| Folder 574 |
June 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 574 |
| Folder 575 |
July 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 575 |
| Folder 576 |
August 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 576 |
| Folder 577 |
September 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 577 |
| Folder 578 |
October 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 578October 27: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, in which Pettigrew described a foot injury and dog bite that made him very sick. October 27: Letter from James Johnston Pettigrew in Charleston, S.C., in which he commented on a captain of his acquaintance who trafficked in the slave trade on the Coast of Africa. Pettigrew noted the captain's perspective on the middle passage, which was at odds with the prevailing understanding of it. He also mentioned attending a dramatization of Uncle Tom's Cabin in Philadelphia. |
| Folder 579 |
November 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 579 |
| Folder 580 |
December 1853 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 580 |
| Folder 581 |
January-April 1854 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 581 |
| Folder 582 |
May-August 1854 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 582June 1: List of people enslaved as of 28 December 1853. June 1: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. June 3: Receipt for jail fees paid to Joseph Godphry for Wiley, who was enslaed by James Cathcart Johnston. June 10: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston at Elizabeth City, N.C., in which Pettigrew mentioned purchasing five enslaved women to be wives for men already enslaved by him, in an attempt to keep them from finding wives away from his plantations. August 12: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston, describing the circumstances in which Wilson, who worked in the house and was enslaved to Pettigrew at Magnolia, allegedly stole money from him. |
| Folder 583 |
September-December 1854 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 583September 2: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston, discussing further the robbery allegedly committed by Wilson, who was enslaved to Pettigrew at Magnolia. October 3: Letter from Hardy Rioche in Norfolk, Va., to James Cathcart Johnston in Baltimore, mentioning Peter, who was enslaved to Johnston, in his role as foreman. October 30: Accounting sheet for Aaron Johnston, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston, with the goods acquired on credit with Cleveland Sawyer. December (undated): Accounting sheet with names of people enslaved at Hayes and amount of orders for trade for cash, pork, fodder. |
| Folder 584 |
January-February 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 584January 1: Correspondence in which the controversy over slavery is discussed.. January 1: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. |
| Folder 585 |
March-April 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 585 |
| Folder 586 |
May-June 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 586 |
| Folder 587 |
July-August 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 587August 11: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, commenting on behavior of enslaved people and expectations of enslavers. |
| Folder 588 |
September-October 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 588 |
| Folder 589 |
November-December 1855 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 589November 7: Letter from Joseph G. Godfrey in Edenton, N.C., to James Cathcart Johnston, seeking payment for jailing London, who was enslaved to Johnston. London reportedly had engaged in conflict with his wife at Mr. Howell's. Godfrey also charged Johnston for policing people enslaved by him in town, except for when they were permitted to attend church on Sunday. |
| Folder 590 |
January 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 590January 5: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 591 |
February 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 591 |
| Folder 592 |
March 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 592March 14: Letter from James Johnston Pettigrew in Charleston, S.C., to James Johnston Pettigrew, discussing the controversy over slavery. |
| Folder 593 |
April 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 593 |
| Folder 594 |
May 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 594May 11: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Belgrade to James Cathcart Johnston, describing the conduct of the people he enslaved at Magnolia and Belgrade. Moses, an enslaved man working as the overseer, is mentioned. |
| Folder 595 |
June 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 595 |
| Folder 596 |
July 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 596July 4: Letter from James C. Johnston Jr. at Hayes to his uncle James Cathcart Johnston, who was visiting the Pettigrews, mentioning Nixon and Osborne, who were enslaved to the elder Johnston, and the work they performed. |
| Folder 597 |
August 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 597 |
| Folder 598 |
September 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 598 |
| Folder 599 |
October 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 599 |
| Folder 600 |
November 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 600November 12: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 601 |
December 1856 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 601 |
| Folder 602 |
January 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 602January 1: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. January 1: Accounting sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with names of enslaved people and the goods acquired on Johnston's credit with Cleveland Sawyer. January 1: Accounting sheet for Nixon Johnston, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston, with Cleveland Sawyer and Bro. January 1: Accounting sheet of James Cathcart Johnston with W. C. Warren and Son, with entries for medical care provided to enslaved people who are listed by name. Some enslaved family relationships are noted. |
| Folder 603 |
February 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 603 |
| Folder 604 |
March 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 604 |
| Folder 605 |
April 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 605 |
| Folder 606 |
May 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 606May 30: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 607 |
June 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 607June 2: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 608 |
July 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 608 |
| Folder 609 |
August 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 609 |
| Folder 610 |
September 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 610 |
| Folder 611 |
October 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 611 |
| Folder 612 |
November 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 612 |
| Folder 613 |
December 1857 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 613December 26: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia to William Hollowell, in which he reported on setting up a loom, carding machine, and spinning jenny so that enslaved people could make their own clothing at the plantation; the exhaustion of the enslaved community from all of the work on the plantation; and a meeting house for enslaved people to use for worship. Peter, an enslaved man who worked as a foreman for James Cathcart Johnston, is also mentioned. |
| Folder 614 |
January 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 614 |
| Folder 615 |
February 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 615 |
| Folder 616 |
March 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 616March 27: Account sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with Sawyer Bro. & Co., with orders on credit for enslaved people. |
| Folder 617 |
April 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 617 |
| Folder 618 |
May 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 618 |
| Folder 619 |
June 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 619June (undated): Letter from Richard McMorine (previously known as Richard Blount) in Buchanan City, Palm Grove Station, Bassa County, Liberia, to James Cathcart Johnston, discussing difficult conditions for people who had resettled to this place. McMorine wrote about acquiring land, farming, missionary work, and the need for financial assistance to build a house. |
| Folder 620 |
July 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 620 |
| Folder 621 |
August 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 621August 25: Account sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with Sawyer Bro. & Co., with orders on credit for enslaved people. |
| Folder 622 |
September 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 622 |
| Folder 623 |
October 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 623 |
| Folder 624 |
November 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 624 |
| Folder 625 |
December 1858 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 625 |
| Folder 626 |
January 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 626 |
| Folder 627 |
February 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 627 |
| Folder 628 |
1-15 March 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 628March 5: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 629 |
16-31 March 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 629 |
| Folder 630 |
April 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 630April 9: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 631 |
May 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 631 |
| Folder 632 |
June 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 632June 26: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 633 |
July 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 633July 17: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 634 |
August 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 634 |
| Folder 635 |
September 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 635 |
| Folder 636 |
October 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 636 |
| Folder 637 |
November 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 637 |
| Folder 638 |
December 1859 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 638December 6: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 639 |
1-15 January 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 639Undated: Letter from G. J. Cherry to James Cathcart Johnston, reporting that a canoe was missing, as well as "Old" America, Mariah, George, and Nelly, enslaved people who probably had gone to Plymouth. Undated: List of enslaved people and their ages for the census. Some family relationships are noted. January 2: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 640 |
16-31 January 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 640 |
| Folder 641 |
February 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 641 |
| Folder 642 |
1-15 March 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 642 |
| Folder 643 |
16-31 March 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 643 |
| Folder 644 |
April 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 644April 10: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 645 |
May 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 645 |
| Folder 646 |
June 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 646June 10: Letter from an enslaved person. June 11: Letter from C. W. Hollowell at Bay Side to James Cathcart Johnston, reporting that he had a tax list of the 178 people enslaved by Johnston, under the care of Peter and Ben, both of whom were enslaved and working as foreman. June 17: Letter from an enslaved person. June 24: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 647 |
July 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 647July 7: Letter from an enslaved person. July 8: Letter from Sam to his enslaver, James Cathcart Johnston, regarding communications with Joe Welcome, a brick mason enslaved by Josiah Collins, about the amount of brick required to build Hayes. July 15: Letter from an enslaved person. July 22: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 648 |
August 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 648 |
| Folder 649 |
September 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 649September 9: Letter from an enslaved person. September 16: Letter from an enslaved person. September 30: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 650 |
October 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 650October 21: Letter from an enslaved person. October 25: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston, describing an insurrection planned for Plymouth by people enslaved by Baker of Norfolk, and the slave patrols initiated in response to white fears of violence against them. |
| Folder 651 |
November 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 651 |
| Folder 652 |
December 1860 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 652December 10: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia to C. W. Hollowell, requesting the usual 6 month allowances be given to people enslaved by Johnston, and according discretion to Peter and Ben, who were enslaved by Johnston and worked as his foreman, to alter the amounts. December 27: Letter from William S. Pettigrew at Magnolia to James Cathcart Johnston, giving a character recommendation for Richard Barfield, a free Black man who worked as a painter. Barfield sought to marry one of the daughters of Peter, who was enslaved to Johnston and worked as a foreman at Pasquotank. |
| Folder 653 |
1-15 January 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 653Undated: List of enslaved people. January 1: List of enslaved people. |
| Folder 654 |
16-31 January 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 654 |
| Folder 655 |
February 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 655 |
| Folder 656 |
March 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 656 |
| Folder 657 |
1-15 April 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 657April 5: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston describing the circumstances that led up to the self-emancipation by Harry, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia. Mack, who was enslaved by Johnston, is mentioned as someone who led groups of enslaved laborers. April 10: Letter from Henry J. Futrell to James Cathcart Johnston providing further news about Harry's escape; Milly, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia, was reported as being sick. Mack is mentioned as someone who led groups of enslaved laborers. April 15: Letter from Henry J. Futrell to James Cathcart Johnston providing further news of Harry's escape and other acts he may have committed against the overseer. Mack is mentioned as someone who led groups of enslaved laborers. |
| Folder 658 |
16-30 April 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 658 |
| Folder 659 |
May 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 659May 5: Letter from Henry J. Furtrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston regarding policing of enslaved people to make sure they did not rebel. Futrell also described work on the plantation, including that of Nat, who was enslaved by Johnston. May 13: Letter from H. J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston regarding policing of enslaved people. Futrell described violence used against Charity, an enslaved girl, to force her to identify who she had been with and seen while out. Jack, Godfrey, and Gunness(?), were implicated. Futrell also reported on work performed by Mack, Mat and Andrew. May 27: Letter from Henry J. Futrell to James Cathcart Johnston describing the labor assigned to Mat, Luke, and Andrew, who were enslaved by Johnston. He also mentioned not paying for medical care for the enslaved people. May 31: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston reporting that Luke, who was enslaved to James Cathcart Johnston at Caledonia, allegedly had stolen money from him and distributed it among other enslaved people. Futrell also reported on labor performed by Milly, Andrew, Godfrey, Mack, Baccus, and Anthony, all of whom were enslaved at Caledonia. |
| Folder 660 |
June 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 660June 12: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston, reporting that Luke, a young adult who was a field worker enslaved to Johnston, had been caught stealing a chest of money and was at risk of being sold away as punishment. Harry was also mentioned, as he remained at liberty without a permit. Luke's labor, as well as that of Rodger, Godfrey, Mat, and Andrew is also described. |
| Folder 661 |
July 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 661 |
| Folder 662 |
August 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 662August 19: Record documenting diseases and medical treatement of enslaved people. |
| Folder 663 |
September 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 663 |
| Folder 664 |
October 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 664 |
| Folder 665 |
November 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 665November 8: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston, describing work done on the plantation. Mack and Ben, who were enslaved by Johnston, are mentioned. November 11: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston, describing work done on the plantation. Nat, Mack, and Charity, who were enslaved by Johnston, are mentioned. November 18: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston, describing work done on the plantation. Nat and Jacob, who were enslaved by Johnston, are mentioned. |
| Folder 666 |
December 1861 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 666December 7: Letter from an enslaved person. December 23: Letter from H. J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston reporting that enslaved people had been to town to trade the previous week. Tom, Nelly, and Old Nancy, a nurse, are mentioned. December 23: List of enslaved people with amount of credit available for trade with Mr. Sawyer. |
| Folder 667 |
January-February 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 667 |
| Folder 668 |
March-April 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 668 |
| Folder 669 |
May-June 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 669 |
| Folder 670 |
July-August 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 670July 22: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell at Bay Side, responding to reports on Peter, who was enslaved by Johnston. Johnston asked for assistance in getting Peter and his family to the Union Army in Norfolk in order to be rid of him. Ben is also mentioned and there is a list of names of enslaved people. August 7: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston Jr. at Hayes to Colonel Howard, concerning Alfred Manning, an enslaved person who had self-emancipated, been given a pass by Howard, and then allegedly plundered Johnston's plantation. Another self-emancipated woman is also mentioned as being on board Captain Gerard's steamer. August 21: Letter from W. I. Hardy in Norfolk to James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes, reporting that Peter and his family had made it to freedom in Columbus, Ohio, by way of Baltimore. Hardy also mentioned that several enslaved people had self-emancipated from Hayes. |
| Folder 671 |
September-October 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 671September 15: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 672 |
November-December 1862 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 672November 17: Record of sale and purchase of enslaved people. |
| Folder 673 |
January 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 673January 2: Record related to emancipation. January 20: Letter from the military governor to James C. Johnston, reporting that General Foster had ordered the arrest of Matthew, who was previously enslaved by James Cathcart Johnston but was freed by the January 1, 1863 Emancipation Proclamation, for undescribed crimes committed against the property of James Cathcart Johnston. |
| Folder 674 |
February 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 674February 8: Letter from C. W. Hollowell at Bay Side to James Cathcart Johnston, reporting on deteriorating control over the local enslaved population. Bill, Julio, and Ben are mentioned. February 12: Record of free Black person. |
| Folder 675 |
March 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 675March 1: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell at Bay Side near Elizabeth City, N.C., expressing relief that things stolen by enslaved people and "Buffaloes" had been recovered. Johnston wrote that he believed the enslaved people at Poplar Plains were demoralized. He mentioned putting Major into Peter's old house and in charge of things; having Old Lawrence's widow, who was Major's mother-in-law, move in with Major if he would take care of her; giving Josiah a piece of land to grow corn, some of which he could keep for himself; moving enslaved people to Roanoke Island if they wanted work because otherwise they might starve if they stayed at Poplar Plains. March 13: Record of free Black person. March 13: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to W. Futrell mentioning an incident in which guerrillas killed two enslaved people and took 10 prisoner. Johnston mentioned Matthias and Jeff, who were enslaved by him. March 18: Record related to emancipation. March 21: Receipt indicating that Myles, an enslaved man, was purchased by James Cathcart Johnston from Francis I. Iredell, Helen B. Iredell, and Margaret T. Iredell, in Raleigh, N.C. |
| Folder 676 |
April 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 676April 11: Account sheet for James Cathcart Johnston with C & L Sawyer, with orders on credit for enslaved people. April 12: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to Henry I. Futrell, letting him know that he had included him in his will and his directives regarding the people enslaved by him. He mentioned Frank, Tom, and Solomon, who worked with Angelo Garibaldi, and Nat, Mack, and Dolly. April 17: Record of free Black person. |
| Folder 677 |
May 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 677May 5: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to W. Futrell commenting on his relationship with the enslaved people. Johnston also described a solitary confinement that he imposed on a young enslaved woman whom he thought was faking illness. May 6: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell at Bay Side mentioning Jeff, who apparently engaged with the "Buffaloes" and Union soldiers as acts of resistance, and "Old Ben," a carriage driver. Johnston commented on the condition of the plantation and the challenges he had with getting enslaved people to work as efficiently as they had in the past. May 11: Letter from Thomas D. Warren to James Carthcart Johnston regarding a mortgage held on America, who was enslaved by Johnston. Warren mentioned that America had a wife. May 25: List of enslaved people, with names and ages. May 27: Letter from Henry J. Futrell reported from Hayes plantation that Mack, John, America and his wife Maria, George and his wife Nelly, and Jerry had all left the plantation for Edenton or Plymouth. Patricia is also mentioned, but she may have stayed at the plantation. |
| Folder 678 |
June 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 678 |
| Folder 679 |
July 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 679July 13: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hallowell at Bayside near Elizabeth City, N.C., in which he mentioned Prince, who blew a horn at 3:30 every morning to call the enslaved people to work. July 20: Record of free Black person. July 20: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell, describing conditons at the plantation. He mentioned Prince, as his assistant ("factotum"). July 31: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 680 |
August 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 680 |
| Folder 681 |
September 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 681September 22: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell, describing conditons at the plantation. He also reported that Bill had self-emancipated and mentioned work done by London. |
| Folder 682 |
October 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 682October 9: Letter from Richard Barfield, a free Black person, seeking a letter attesting to his freedom from James Cathcart Johnston so that he might travel to meet his wife in Columbus, Ohio. October 11: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston to C. W. Hollowell, commenting on the departure of enslaved people from plantations. October 21: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to W. Futrell, reporting that many of the people he had enslaved had left. Aaron remained. |
| Folder 683 |
November 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 683November 5: Record related to emancipation. |
| Folder 684 |
December 1863 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 684 |
| Folder 685 |
January-April 1864 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 685March 9: Letter from James Cathcart Johnston at Hayes to C. W. Hollowell, describing conditons at the plantation. "Old" Ben and Jim are mentioned. March 16: Record of free Black person. April 7: Letter from an enslaved person. |
| Folder 686 |
May-August 1864 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 686July 27: List of enslaved people with names and ages. August 9: Letter from William S. Pettigrew near Tarboro to James Cathcart Johnson, reporting on damages by Union soldiers and "Buffaloes" and that Henry and his wife Polly, who were enslaved, had gone to the Yankees at Plymouth in August 1863, and the rest of the people enslaved by him in January 1864. Pettigrew also reported that several old women who were enslaved had died, including a nurse who had been married to Virgil, who was enslaved at Belgrade; and the expectation of both Henry and Virgil that they would be murdered by hostile white people in the neighborhood. |
| Folder 687 |
September-December 1864 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 687 |
| Folder 688 |
January-February 1865 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 688January 25: Record related to emancipation. February 9: Legal document indicating that Maggy, "Old Sam" and his wife Flora, Sam the son of Juda, Jack and Diner who were the children of Sam and Flora, were purchased by James Cathcart Johnston in December 1863 from John H. Leary. February 26: Letter from Henry J. Futrell at Caledonia to James Cathcart Johnston in which he described work done by Nat, Godfrey, Andrew, and Rodger. Futrell mentioned that Frank had gone to see his wife and had not returned, possibly having taken up with other enslaved people who participated in acts of resistance against their enslavers while the Union Army occupied the area. Futrell also reported on a conversation he had with Mack and other members of the enslaved community about rumors of enslaved people being pressed into military service and what the enslaved people would do if that happened. |
| Folder 689 |
March-May 1865 #00324, Subseries: "1.1.3. Johnston Family Papers, 1811-1865." Folder 689 |
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Subseries 1.2. Johnston Family Volumes, 1732-1859, and undated.
Arrangement: chronological.
Volumes include Gabriel Johnston's estate and plantation account; Samuel Johnston's (1702-1757) account books and ledgers containing personal and family finances, as well as some public accounts from when he served as public treasurer (1745-1751); an anonymous surveyor's journal, which is attributed to Samuel Johnston (1702-1757); Samuel Johnston's (1733-1816) legal fees and personal expense memoranda; merchandise ledgers and accounts for George Blair, Samuel Johnston's (1733-1816) brother-in-law, and Hindley and Needham, for whom Samuel Johnston (1733-1816) worked as an attorney; expense accounts related to Samuel Johnston's (1733-1816) public service during the American Revolution, including accounts for Andrew Knox & Co.; James Cathcart Johnston's personal and plantation accounts; and several catalogs for the library at Hayes Plantation. The instituion of slavery is documented throughout the plantation ledgers; individual enslaved people can be found in lists and accounting ledgers.
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Series 2. Wood family, 1810-1928.
Arrangement: chronological.
Personal and business correspondence and financial and legal materials documenting two generations of the Wood family and others, including Edward Wood, (1820-1872), plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman; his wife Caroline Moore Gilliam Wood; and their sons Edward Wood and John Gilliam Wood.
Materials provide insight into antebellum and postbellum North Carolina and southern history, especially plantation administration, agriculture, the transition from an economy based on enslaved labor to tenant farming after the Civil War, trade and shipping, the settlement of the estate of James Cathcart Johnston, contemporary family and social life, education and school life, and health and medical treatment, including mental health.
This series has been divided into two subseries based on material type. The first subseries contains loose papers while the second contains bound volumes, both of which have been arranged chronologically.
Processing note: folders were renumbered in April 2022.
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Subseries 2.1. Wood Family Papers, 1810-1922.
Arrangement: chronological.
Personal and business correspondence and financial and legal materials, documenting two generations of the Wood family, as well as people enslaved by them. Wood family members included Edward Wood, (1820-1872), plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman; his wife Caroline Moore Gilliam Wood; and their sons Edward Wood and John Gilliam Wood. Materials provide insight into antebellum and postbellum North Carolina history, especially plantation administration, agriculture, the transition from an economy based on enslaved labor to tenant farming after the Civil War, trade and shipping, settlement of the estate of James Cathcart Johnston, contemporary family and social life, education and school life, and health and medical treatment, including mental illness. Financial and legal materials include indentures, deeds, surveys, wills, judgments and suits, bills of lading, receipts, bills of sale for enslaved people, account sheets and ledgers, and inventories.
The series has been divided into two descriptive subseries based on significant shifts that signal a change in the cast of characters and/or the subjects treated during a specific time span.
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Subseries 2.1.1. Wood Family Papers, 1810-1872.
Arrangement: chronological.
Chiefly business and financial papers of Edward Wood (1820-1872), plantation owner, enslaver, and businessman, that document his farming and fishery businesses, as well as enslaved people and freed people. Materials include letters from commission merchants, business agents, and land and fishery managers; legal documents such as land surveys, indentures, wills, deeds, and insurance contracts; and financial materials such as receipts, bills of sale for enslaved people, hiring out contracts for enslaved people, bills of lading, account sheets, inventories, and stock, bond, and other investment materials. These materials provide insight into the economy of the South during Reconstruction and document political tensions between North and South. Other materials pertain to the Albemarle Steam Navigation Co., for which Wood served as president, and the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Co. and Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Co., firms in which he had a vital interest because he used their services to ship his fish and crops to market. These materials relate chiefly to company stock information, business administration, and ship repairs and building. Materials of a more personal nature document the education of Wood's children, family life, social conditions and customs, travel, health, and the settling of lawsuits. Materials prior to 1860 consist chiefly of financial and legal documents; the bulk of the correspondence begins in 1860.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Wood was invested in the building of a steamer ship known as the Virginia Dare. Materials for 1861 are chiefly concerned with this endeavor. Included are correspondence regarding the design of the vessel, blueprints, and receipts for Virginia Dare stock.
There is relatively little information about Civil War soldiers and battles. In the later part of 1862, Julian Wood wrote several letters from Camp French describing camp life and fortifications. Letters from Julian's relatives to Wood describe information received from Julian in his letters and relay news of his death in 1863.
The majority of letters from the Civil War period document southern sentiments regarding the Confederate cause and the failing economy. An "Appeal to the North," dated 8 December 1862, discusses the economy of free labor, defends the institution of slavery, and calls for an end to the war. Letters from prominent landholders discuss the interruption of agriculture and trade. Materials also document activities of enslaved people during this period and include a 22 April 1862 order to intercept and capture a group of enslaved people who had self-emancipated and a 23 April 1862 letter warning Wood to "watch his boats" since other boats in the area had been used to assist enslaved people to escape.
Wood's business routines were interrupted with the occupation of North Carolina by Federal forces. Fearing that fishermen would cross Federal lines in the Albemarle Sound to trade with Confederate supporters, the military government forbade fishing. In 1863, Wood petitioned Federal forces, particularly Captain Flusser, for the right to fish for the benefit of the poor. He was granted permission to fish on a limited scale, but was soon after taken prisoner and held hostage pending the release of a prisoner held by Confederate forces. James Cathcart Johnston (1782-1865) was a supporter of Wood and worked to procure his release. It was at this time that Johnston began to express his desire that his "relations not have anything to do with [his] affairs" and he made Wood and two others the executors and heirs of his estate.
Immediately following the war, materials document the legal dispute to pardon Wood for his alleged Confederate involvement. Another major legal matter was the settlement of James Cathcart Johnston's estate following his death on 9 May 1865. Johnston's cousins challenged the legitimacy of Johnston's will, stating that he had been mentally unstable at the time the will and accompanying letters of instruction were written. The will was established as legal in 1867, upholding Wood and the other executors as rightful heirs with the responsibility of carrying out its terms. However, new suits were brought against Wood, as executor, and the estate was not completely settled until 1871.
Letters often provide insight into legal preparations for the Johnston estate case, including hiring attorneys, appointing judges, and assessing attitudes of citizens in jurisdictions where the case could be tried. Letters from C. W. Hollowell, another executor, describe his experiences during the court proceedings and provide insight into the difficulties of reaching a settlement. Other related materials include account sheets, appeals for loans from members of the Johnston family, legal notes, subpoenas, and court rulings.
At the conclusion of the Civil War, Wood resumed his farming and fishing businesses. Correspondence describes the economy and industry during Reconstruction. Letters received from northern commission merchants discuss the consignment of fish and crops, market and economic conditions, hire of trading vessels and shipping contracts, assessment of goods, investment of profits, and the purchase of goods such as barrels and kegs, cork, ice, salt, whiskey, molasses, and netting for the fishing trade. Merchants with whom Wood did the majority of his business include James Bond and Whedbee & Dickinson in Baltimore; C. W. Grandy Co. & Sons in Norfolk; John N. Shriver in Philadelphia; and C. E. Morrison and Co. in Boston.
Letters from William Stowe, of the American Net & Twine Co. in Boston, detail developments in the net and twine industry. In the years immediately following the Civil War, Stowe expressed views on the economy of free labor in the South, Reconstruction, suffrage, and politics. Stowe also advised Wood to abandon his cotton crops since they would not be profitable.
Other materials reflect the changing economic structures and racial interactions in the South during Reconstruction. In 1865, Wood worked with agents to procure indentured laborers from England, Germany, and Sweden to work as household servants and farm hands. Materials include letters from John Williams of the American Emigration Co. in New York, receipts for passage from Europe, and a contract of indenture dated December 1865.
Beginning in the late 1860s, Wood received letters from individuals offering their skills as coopers, fishing hands, farmers, and land managers. They often stated wage expectations and mentioned wage offers from other landowners. Other individuals sought employment on Wood's various ships as clerks and captains.
Despite these appeals from interested laborers, letters from Daniel Valentine, who appears to have worked as a recruiter for Wood's fisheries, often document the lack of labor in certain areas or the competitive nature of wage labor following the war. Letters between land owners often lamented the fact that they could not find enough hired labor to work their land.
Sharecropping materials include advertisements, in the form of broadsides and newspaper articles; rental contracts; and letters from land managers that often complain of the poor profits attained in such work. Springs Brady and Davy M. Lee, who worked at Greenfield in the years following the war, were two of the tenants.
Wood's brother, William C. Wood, wrote many letters in 1867 that detail the management of Wood's fisheries. Letters from Caroline Moore Gilliam Wood to Edward Wood often provide updates on the activities of the farm, business issues, and family.
There are various materials pertaining to Wood's involvement with the Albemarle Steam Navigation Co, the Blackwater Steam Boat Co., and the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Co. Letters from the cessation of the war through the early 1870s refer to the purchase and repairs of ships, requests for free passage, scheduling of routes, and business contracts. Of interest are the letters from R. J. Powell in regards to the North Carolina Mail Service.
Following the war, Wood was involved in many charitable acts, and he received letters from friends, family, and community groups for financial assistance. Margaret Johnston, widow of Samuel Iredell Johnston (d. 1865), wrote letters beginning in 1866, requesting funds to provide for her children. Throughout the years, James Cathcart Johnston Jr. sought advances on his monetary allowances from the Johnston estate. Letters often recount his failed business endeavors, and an 1870 letter from his wife to Wood describes their destitution. In late 1869, Sarah Elliot wrote to attain a loan for the cost of publishing her book, Mrs. Elliot's Housewife: containing practical receipts in cookery.
The education of Edward Wood's children is well documented in letters, tuition receipts, and report cards. Beginning in 1862, Mary Wood was educated at the Patapsco Female School in Raleigh, N.C. Wood received reports on her progress from the director of the school. Letters from Edward Wood (1851-1898) begin in 1868 while he attended J. H. Horner's school in Oxford and relay his feelings about school, his education, requests for money, information about the family, and his expulsion from school in 1869. It appears that he witnessed a fight between a white shop keeper and a Black customer, and that he would be summoned as a witness in court. Such a summons proved that he was out past curfew, an infraction that lead to expulsion. His 13 May 1871 letter to his mother suggests that he also was later expelled from the University of Virginia.
Letters from business and personal correspondents throughout the series speak to Wood's poor health. It appears that he suffered from dyspepsia, and he considered many remedies, including eating oysters and maintaining a food and whiskey diet, over the years. His health apparently began to decline rapidly in 1871, when he began traveling to Asheville in the hopes of making a recovery. In 1872, he seemed to be preparing for death, and he began arranging his financial papers and drew up a will.
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Subseries 2.1.2. Wood Family Papers, 1873-1921.
Arrangement: chronological.
Chiefly correspondence and financial materials relating to the administration of the Wood family farms and fisheries. Following Edward Wood's death in 1872, Caroline Moore Gilliam Wood (1851-1898) began to manage the family's business affairs with the help of her brother-in-law, William C. Wood, and, after his death in 1876, with her sons, Edward Wood (851-1898), John Wood, and Frank Wood. Correspondence details the administration of the fisheries and comments on the industry and market changes from season to season, including the decline in profits from the fishing and cotton trades beginning in 1878. Caroline's letters in March and April of 1877 to her son, Frank, who was studying at the University of North Carolina, often express her disappointment in Edward's management of the fisheries. Major business correspondents include C. W. Skinner, Whedbee & Dickinson in Baltimore, and C. W. Grandy Co. & Sons in Norfolk. Other financial materials include receipts, invoices, bills of lading, labor inventories, and account sheets.
This subseries also provides comprehensive insight into the personal lives of the Wood family members. Letters between Caroline and her children increase in frequency after 1874 and detail family life; health concerns; social life and customs; college life, particularly at the University of Virginia and at the University of North Carolina; travel; politics; and business. Caroline's extensive letters to her children describe the success of various business endeavors, recount financial information, and often advise frugality with allowances, especially after 1877. Caroline comments on the activities of members of the community, providing background information on social life and interactions within North Carolina. Letters also relay information received in correspondence with her other children; report on the health of family members, particularly Bettie, who suffered from a lengthy illness; and encourage diligence in all academic pursuits. Her letters to son James Wood express concern over his physical health and foreshadow his untimely death in October 1876. The Wood siblings also corresponded with each other. In a 27 February 1876 letter to his brother, James Wood described the student festivities following the passing of a bill by the Virginia State Legislature to appropriate $30,000 a year to the University of Virginia.
In addition to letters from family members, John Wood received notes from friends while studying bookkeeping at the Eastman Business School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in 1874. Letters concern a variety of topics including politics and elections, student life, and social events. A 17 October 1874 letter from a classmate at the University of Virginia describes several fraternities and the activities of many of their mutual friends.
Annie wrote several letters while attending Salem Female Institute, and later, Saint Mary's in Raleigh (circa 1876), in which she discussed her courses of study and social activities. Her later letters are a rich source of information on social life and customs of the people of eastern North Carolina.
In 1878, John traveled to Europe from whence he wrote two lengthy letters describing the cities and people that he visited, having particularly strong opinions on England, Switzerland, and Italy. In October of 1883, Annie wrote to her brother Julian about her northern tour. She described her trip to the Exposition and expressed her pride in the North Carolina exhibit. She also gave her impressions of Boston, Cambridge, and Washington D.C.
Following Caroline's death, personal correspondence among Wood family members is infrequent. Julian's 1889 letters, addressed to John and written while he was studying law at the University of North Carolina, discuss college life and inquire about the family crops. Mary Hall also wrote regarding crops and farming profits and gave information about family health and activities. A 28 September 1901 letter informs John of his brother Hal's diagnosis with tuberculosis.
Between 1905 and 1910 materials document negotiations between John and the Norfolk & Southern Railway Co. to purchase part of the Hayes farm for railway development.
John received letters from Charles De F. Burnes, a well-known collector of autograph letters, with regard to family correspondence dating to the American Revolutionary War period. Additionally, there are materials pertaining to the assessment and preservation of select materials from the Wood library.