Beschreibung:

Lot of 2 one p. letters from M. Dibrell to the Donnan dated January 14, 1861 and Sylvia Turner to Mrs. Dibrell dated December 20, 1864. Both letters illuminate several unusual aspects of Southern slavery including: complications of the system of hiring-out slaves, turmoil over difficulties involved when trying to keep slave families intact and decently treated, the complex interplay between a master's authority and any measure of self-assertion by the slaves. Legal issues made some owners view their "property" as a burden. In a letter dated January 14, 1861, Mr. M Dibrell wrote, I reckon you think my servants give you a great deal of trouble, but I am sure they have not troubled you half as much as they have troubled me, I sometimes wish I did not own one in the world. Dibrell sought council for complaints voiced by his recently sold slaves, Celci and Randall, against their current owner, Mr. Gregg. Dibrell was not certain if he could incur the expense of the slaves and their four children. He realized that if he sent the slaves back it would be a trouble all the year, but he hate[d]to put the children where they are not properly treated...Dibrell transferred the entire family to Sylvia Turner, but the predicament continued for at least three years. In 1864, Turner wrote to Dibrell, I wish you to take the servants away, as I have not the bread to feed them, and you must be aware that buying provisions for a family of six hearty negros is no small item at present. You will therefore not I hope consider me too exacting when I inform you that I shall commence tomorrow Dec 27th to furnish them with a meal, charging you such price for it as I will have to pay... There is no indication of the final outcome of the case. The full transcription reads: Jan 14 1861 Mr Donnan, I reckon you think my servants give you a great deal of trouble, but I am sure they have not troubled you half as much as they have me. I sometimes wish I did not own one in the world. Randall and Celia came to my mother’s some time during Xmas. They appeared to be greatly disturbed about being hired again at the same place. They complain of being badly treated and overworked. Be that as it may they certainly looked badly, and Randall had scarcely any clothes. After consulting you as to what was best to be done I wrote to Mr. Gregg, gave them a pass, and started them back, but instead of going to Gregg they went to Uncle Peter. I suppose he told them he had no control over them now, so they went to a Mr. Mayo who had kept Celia and her children several years, and where they were well satisfied and kindly treated (Mr. Mayo lives very near Uncle Peter). Randall left Celia and the youngest child (the others are still at Greggs) and brought a note from Mr. Mayo saying they were very anxious to live with him again, and he would take Randall Celia and the 4 children for their food and clothes. Of course I would make no such arrangement without your approbation. Now in view of all the facts in the case don’t you think it would be best to let Mr. Mayo take them this year even if he will not pay anything for them? Randall is afflicted and if not properly cared for in a year or so will be an expense on my hands. If he would allow me enough TO PAY THIS WAR TAX, I think I would prefer to let him have them. I don’t think they will ever stay with Gregg again and if sent back would be a trouble all the year. The servants have hired for so little I don’t see how I shall meet my expenses, but still I HATE TO PUT THE CHILDREN WHERE THEY ARE NOT PROPERLY TREATED. I wish you had required Gregg to bring those servants to the CH and then you could have seen for yourself. Moses got a home to drive at the Midlothian pitts(?) for $110. I wrote Mr. Bass that I thought he might give me at least what he had to pay for all the other hands that were not more valuable than mine. He gave over 600 for all the rest. Yrs Respectfully, M. Dibrell MARTHA (SHREWSBURY) DIBRELL (1800-1866) was the daughte