Inward slave manifest

Folks, I have an inward slave manifest from 1856 for a load of slaves to be delivered from Georgia to New York aboard the steamer Knoxville. The back of the manifest has the list of slaves, a physical description, and their owners information. I am entirely uncertain as to this documents worth, or intrinsic value. I have never seen one for sale. Any suggestions on the documents worth, or someone who might be able to appraise it?

 

Welcome!
An odd thing indeed and if real quite interesting to, I'm sure, at least a few people, museums and universities not to mention the new museum in DC.
I am confused though...
As far as I know, slaves getting as far as NY could become free.
The last leg of their escape was hidden in, truly, the Underground Railroad in Harsimus Cemetery in Jersey City, NJ where family of mine are buried.
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There should be some folks here that can help.

 

The document does indicate the slaves were not bound for service. I can post photos if you would like.

 

Yes. We will need them please.
And many will simply enjoy seeing this as I will.

 

Interesting document! I too would love to see it. It didn't matter if a state was free or not. A slave could be hunted down anywhere in the US because of the Dred Scott Case. Slavery was completely abolished in NY in 1827; however, in accordance to the Dred Scott case of 1857 it upheld the practice, making it completely legal, that a slave brought to a free slave by their owner remained a slave. Dred Scott had been brought to a free state by his owner, can't remember the state. He went to court to sue for his freedom. He lost. This meant that slaves running for their freedom had to get to Canada. They could still be hunted down in the free states - anywhere in the US. The Dred Scott decision really riled the anti-slavery elements of the North, the Republicans, and caused cheers in the slave states.

--- Susan

 

Hmmmm.... just spotted the following about the steamer Knoxville. Seems it was of Savannah, GA. It burned in New York in December 1856 at a cost of $200,000. Look at #22 under "December 1856."

The New York Almanac and Yearly Record for ... 1857-58

https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSkXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=the+steamer+the+knoxville+1857&source=bl&ots=pzX863RjUV&sig=h26C2vRkQnjDw6iwX6R280x0EoM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjv7t7p7t_RAhVJ5YMKHTKiCFMQ6AEIHTAB#v=onepage&q=the steamer the knoxville 1857&f=false

--- Susan

 

Maybe it was that they had even more protection once across the Hudson and on their way to Canada.
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Next time I'm there I hope to get a tour of what can be seen of the URR at Harsimus. It's a cemetery that has history to the beginning of the country. As far as I know it was the first cemetery of its type and the model for many after. There are burials of losses from the Revolutionary war and others. When they clean up and also dig, they find all types and ages of artifacts.
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Alexander Hamilton's son is buried here. Even deer visit, right here, in a place you couldn't think they could ever get to!
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It is/was famous for a meeting there of George Washington and Lafayette under the 'King of the Woods'. This is the beginning, or end, of the march of the 'Palisades' along the Hudson to the north and therefore a great view of British operations in NY. Across the road, where my high school is to the right in the last photo, is where the ammunition bunker was and a mount for a cannon to help fend off any attack from below.
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Sounds like someone took action for the use of her on that trip.

 

Just in case someone might be interested in reading about slavery in "the North" I recommend the following book: The Manor: Three Centuries at a Slave Plantation on Long Island, by Mac Griswold (2013).

I read it in its entirety and found it very informative (scholarly but not "dry") and extensively footnoted. There are also numerous photographs and illustrations.

 

Thanks!

 

Geee, the listing of her burning in the NY Almanac said the lost was $200,000. That was good money back then. $200,000 1856 is equal to nearly $5,500,000 today. The owners may have burnt it down for the insurance. Also the boat owners may have suspected their trade was coming to an end, which might have also egged them.

--- Susan

 

She must've huge because that's a staggering amount for anything then.

 

Here are a few that have sold.....

https://new.liveauctioneers.com/sea...ve","pagesize":24,"keyword":"slave manifest"}

There are also a couple on ebay.

 

WOW! Extreme variations and prices.

 

So true. Lots of northeasterners hate to hear that slavery did flourish in the north in colonial times. By the end of the 1700s, Boston, MA and Newport, RI were the largest slave markets in the colonies. New York and Philadelphia were right up there with them. The industrial prosperity of the north created a wealthy class that could indulge in the luxury of slave owning. Also RI back then did have huge farms that worked like the southern plantation system.

--- Susan

 

A bit more about her burning:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9D0DE1D81039E134BC4B51DFB467838D649FDE&legacy=true

--- Susan

 

Thanks Susan. I have done some research several years ago and also learn that. I am trying to figure out how to post photos on here so hopefully someone could perhaps tell me what this thing might be worth.

 

Check your 'conversations'.

 

As KoT said, "check your 'conversations.'" The link Brad posted for you in reply #13 shows several that have sold and prices paid.

--- Susan