William tells the story of how he became the guardian of a child, Lily, whose mother Barbara was a "colored woman." When Lily’s mother, Barbara, died, Lily was given to Judy, Archer Alexander’s wife, to care for. But when Judy died, Archer asked William to care for Lily, which he did. Then William learned that Lily had an older sister, Lizzie, who was in the care of Colonel John Balfour. Colonel Balfour asked William to become legal guardians for both girls, which he did. Colonel Balfour gave William US Bonds to help pay for the girls’ care. William is asking General Sherman to ask his brother John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury, to help get the money from the bonds so he can use it for care of the girls. William also states that Archer Alexander has been in his service since 1863 when he gave him protection under authority of Provost Marshall. He also says Archer Alexander was the “original of the kneeling slave in the Lincoln Emancipation group by Thomas Ball.” William Greenleaf Eliot to Gen. Sherman.
This newspaper advertisement, placed by Henry Shaw, promises a $300 reward for the capture of Sarah and $100 for her son, both of whom Henry Shaw enslaved. Sarah is a "mulatto woman" about twenty years of age, "of medium height, slender, consumptive make, and bad teeth, some of which have been gold plugged in front," and her son is "four years old, a strong, hearty looking child, with curly hair, and a shade darker than the woman."
This newspaper ad was published in the Missouri Republican on May 25, 1855. Henry Shaw places a $300 reward for Jim, who, according to the ad, calls himself Jim Kennerly, who was enslaved by Shaw but escaped.
Jim is described to have aged about twenty as of 1855, about five(?) feet six inches tall: rather stout made, mild spoken, intelligent, and called himself Jim Kennerly.
This document details the legal proceedings of a fugitive enslavement case in St. Louis, Missouri, dated October 21, 1850. Presided over by Judge Alexander Hamilton, the case involves the escape of an enslaved man named Bill, who fled from the enslaver Andrew G. Gist in the spring of 1850. The record provides a description of Bill and certifies his status as an enslaved man under Missouri law, as well as the legal steps taken by Gist to reclaim him under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850.
Receipt from bounty hunter, Bernard Lynch to Henry Shaw itemizing costs incurred boarding captive enslaved persons, Sarah and Esther. Costs incurred arresting Esther and her subsequent sale to John D. Fondren of Vicksburg for a total of $350. Dated July 30th, 1855
Receipt of payment to bounty hunter, Bernard Lynch, on behalf of Mr. Moreland and Shaw 20 dollar each for information, tracking, and return of their escaped slaves (assumed to be Sarah and her child). Dated June 17th, 1854 and signed by a S. Meloin. The document itself doesn't seem to mention Sarah or her child's name.
This is a purchase receipt for Henry Shaw, paying for the newspaper advertisement of John and Mary Meachum's Trustee's sale of property. The cost was $15.00. The purchase was submitted to the newspaper *St. Louis New Era* Office, to C.G. Ramsey (assumed to be Charles G. Ramsey, the owner of the St. Louis New Era Newspaper) and Geo. Brownfield.
Alphonse Netmore (or Wetmore) is the Justice.
Charles G. Ramsey, a prominent newspaper publisher at the time, provided the affidavit.
The trustee's sale of property to John and Mary Meachum is being published in the newspaper titled 'St. Louis New Era'.
This is a newspaper advertisement of the Trustees' Sale of John and Mary Meachum's property in 1842, due to their inability to pay off the loan from Henry Shaw. The advertisement describes the location of property.
A memorandum dated 1 May 1840 for a two-year extension of the $2750.00 loan agreement between John Berry Meachum and Henry Shaw was issued on 1 February 1839. The memorandum states that Meachum paid the interest on the loan from February 1st, 1839.
This is the medical bill for care of Henry Shaw and his enslaved persons, including Bridgette and her children. The total is amounted to 80.50 dollars.
This is a medical bill of care for Henry Shaw and his enslaved persons in 1861. The bill describes someone by the name "Rody," Bridgette's children, and Cofs (?).
Loan agreement for $2750.00 between John Berry Meachum and Henry Shaw, 1 February 1839 with interest. Describes that Shaw received interest of fifteen months in the back.
Letter from Johnson Hellen, enslaver, to William Greenleaf Eliot, which included a stipulation for Virginia’s freedom from enslavement at age twenty-five. Additional note by Eliot states Virginia was emancipated and married William Parks, handyman. Johnson Hellen was from Washington City.
This is a declaration of bankruptcy by John Berry Meachum, dated 10 June 1842. The hearing date is dated 10 September 1842. James Hannon (?) is the clerk; Wm. Milburn (?) is the commissioner; N. M. Garseho (?) is the assignee.
Glasgow Weekly Times describes that nine enslaved people attempted to escape "under the guide of the abolitionists," and that five were captured, but others "succeeded in getting off." The newspaper account also regrettably mentions that the "decoyers" were not captured.
