Ziba B. Oakes Papers, 1852-1857 | Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

Collection Overview

Title: Ziba B. Oakes Papers, 1852-1857

Collection Identifier: MS Am. 322

Primary Creator: Oakes, Ziba B., 1806-1871

Extent: 652.0 Items

Arrangement: Original order of the correspondence has been maintained.

Subjects: McElveen, A. J., d. 1874 -- Correspondence., Oakes, Ziba B., 1806-1871 -- Correspondence., Slave trade -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History -- 19th Century., Slave traders -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Correspondence.

Languages: English

Abstract

The 652 letters in this collection document the business of Ziba B. Oakes, a slave broker, who lived in Charleston, South Carolina. The letters were written by business associates and cover all aspects of the slave trade business including pricing, selling instructions, and resolving problems with runaways. Oakes’s real estate business and other financial matters are also documented.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The 652 letters in this collection document the business dealings of Ziba B. Oakes, a slave broker, who lived in Charleston, South Carolina. The letters were written by several business associates and cover all aspects of the slave trade such as pricing, selling instructions, and resolving problems with runaways. Oakes’s real estate business and other financial matters are also documented. There is no correspondence from Oakes.

The majority of the letters in the collection are from brokers, agents, and clients from different parts of South Carolina and other southern states with whom Ziba Oakes did business. For example, there are fifty-eight letters written to Oakes by William Wright from Savannah, Georgia; thirteen letters by Burch Kirkland and Company, from Montgomery, Alabama; and twenty-three letters by Thomas Limehouse, from Goulding, South Carolina. In addition, there are letters from traders from Richmond, Virginia and New Orleans, Louisiana. These contain specific details about slaves bought and sold, and give market prices for each city.

Of the approximately 480 letters written by slave traders, 135 were written by A. J. McElveen, whose job it was to travel throughout South Carolina’s Sumpter District and purchase slaves for Oakes. The letters include details about the number of slaves that were purchased on each trip, their gender and physical descriptions, and where on the plantation they should work. Other matters include the problems he had with selling certain slaves and his dealings with other traders. McElveen’s letters also provide insight into the relationship he had with Oakes.

Additional letters document Oakes’s real estate and other business ventures such as the buying and selling of plantations and railroad stock.

Subject/Index Terms

McElveen, A. J., d. 1874 -- Correspondence.
Oakes, Ziba B., 1806-1871 -- Correspondence.
Slave trade -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- History -- 19th Century.
Slave traders -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Correspondence.

Administrative Information

Repository: Boston Public Library Archival and Manuscript Finding Aid Database

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions:

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As such, we cannot grant or deny permission to use copies of items held in our collections.

It is the sole responsibility of the user to make his or her own determination about what types of usage might be permissible under U.S. and international copyright law. Provision of a copy from the Boston Public Library should not be construed as explicit permission to use it for any particular reason.

Attribution

If you are using a credit line, please use “Boston Public Library” with the collection or call number, if available.

Acquisition Method: The Ziba Oakes papers were found in a slave pen in Charleston, South Carolina, on February 20, 1865 by James Redpath. In April 1865, Redpath presented them to William Lloyd Garrison. The collection was donated to the Boston Public Library on November 11, 1891 by Francis Jackson Garrison.

Related Materials: Slave Trade Letters, 1839. MS fAM 1034

Related Publications: Drago, Edmund L. ed. Broke by the War: Letters of a Slave Trader. University of South Carolina Press. 1991.

Preferred Citation: Ziba B. Oakes Papers. MS Am. 322. Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, Boston Public Library. Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/Rare Books.

Processing Information: Finding aid written by Rare Books and Manuscripts staff.

Finding Aid Revision History: Updated by Kimberly Reynolds, April 2011.

Box and Folder Listing

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[Box 27],
[Box 28],
[Box 29],
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Box 29

Folder 121: Wright, William. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 18 December 1853: Discusses enclosed order and market; Christmas invitation. 1p.
Folder 122: Box, H.R. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Bluffton, S.C., 16 December 1853: Draft sent Oakes in November. 1p.
Folder 123: Tharin, Theodore. A.L.S. to [Ziba B. Oakes]; Charleston, S.C., 30 November 1853: Sale of Mrs. Odum's plantation. 1p.
Folder 124: Limehouse, Thomas. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Goulding, S.C.[?], 18 December 1853: Asks runaway Sam and Ben advertized. 1p.
Folder 125: Gadsden, Theodore N. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 16 December 1853: Asks reimbursement for stolen Negro. 1p.
Folder 126: Barber, F.C. A.L.S. to [Ziba B. Oakes]; Augusta, Ga.[?], 15 December 1853: Wants to sell land. 1p.
Folder 127: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 13 December 1853: Asks value of railroad shares; market in Savannah dull. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 128: DeCaraduc, A. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Aiken, S.C., 12 December 1853: Asks about Negro Alick, consigned for sale. 1p.
Folder 129: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 13 December 1853: Prices of Negroes in Sumterville; asks advice on purchasing. 1p.
Folder 130: Otey, Thomas. A.L.S. to [Ziba B. Oakes]; Richmond, Va., 10 December 1853: Negro women to be sent Atkins; market prices. 1p.
Folder 131: [Illegible] A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [n.p.], [n.d]: Directions for purchase of Negroes; instructions for work by George. 3p.
Folder 132: Wilson, C.H. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [n.p], [n.d.]: Asks Oakes to visit on business. 1p.
Folder 133: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 7 December 1853: Asks about possible sale of Ben and John. In hands of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 134: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 9 December 1853: Arrival at Sumterville, sale of boy, possibility of purchases at Major Crawford's sale. 3p.
Folder 135: Hudson, T.G. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Oglethorpe, Ga., 8 December 1853: Asks market price at Charleston. 1p.
Folder 136: Gelzer, T.L. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Summerville, S.C., 6 December 1853: Possible purchase of woman Dulcina from Oakes. 1p.
Folder 137: Brown, Josiah S. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; New Orleans, La., 24 November 1853: Arrival of Sandy and plans for him. 1p.
Folder 138: [Unidentified] A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Columbia, S.C.[?], 28 November 1853: Possible trade with Tennant for $19,000 worth of Negroes; advice on sale of plantation. 3p.
Folder 139: Limehouse, Thomas. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Goulding, S.C. [?], 20 November 1853: Sends notes for payment. 1p.
Folder 140: Barber, F.C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Augusta, Ga. [?], 18 November 1853: On real estate transfer. 1p.
Folder 141: Gelzer, T.L. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Summerville, S.C., [n.d.]: Price for Negro too high; wishes to take her on trial. 1p.
Folder 142: Box, H.R. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Bluffton, S.C., 12 November 1853: Asks Oakes to collect debt from Legare & Colcock. 1p.
Folder 143: Robert, William F. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Robertville, S.C., 12 November 1853: Asks value of Charleston market of Negroes described. 1p.
Folder 144: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 12 November 1853: Unwilling to obtain Ker's Negro woman illegally. In hands of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 145: Bailey, W.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Waynesville, Ga., 9 November 1853: Sale of Bailey's house. 2p.
Folder 146: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 13 November 1853: Describes 3 Negroes just bought; can obtain lot of 14 in January. 2p.
Folder 147: Ingram, John J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston [?], S.C., 8 November 1853: Certifies that Negro boy Will, once owned by Napoleon McLeod, has never been ill. 1p.
Folder 148: Cohen, Mark. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 7 November 1853: On payment of bond. 2p.
Folder 149: Cooper, C.C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Graham Turnout, N.C.[?], 12 November 1853: Prices of Negroes and credit term. 1p.
Folder 150: Limehouse, Thomas. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Goulding, S.C. [?], 10 November 1853: Accepts $750 for Joe. 1p.
Folder 151: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 9 November [1853?]: Trailbird will take care of girls sent Oakes. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 152: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 9 November 1853: Orders girl Emily; three Negroes to be sent Oakes. 1p.
Folder 153: Moore, Mrs. J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Augusta, Ga. [?], 9 November 1853: Proposes sale of several Negroes. 1p.
Folder 154: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 9 November 1853: Directions for sale of Louisa and Ben. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 155: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 8 November 1853: Has bought Will and Primus; chance to buy woman at $700. 1p.
Folder 156: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 7 November 1853: Describes two boys just bought. 3p.
Folder 157: Cooper, C.C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Graham's Turnout, S.C. [?], 4 November 1853: Invitation to visit if attending sale of Negroes on Nov. 10. 1 p.
Folder 158: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Kingstree, S.C., 2 November 1853: Doubts on purchase of Negroes; asks Charleston prices. 1 p.
Folder 159: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 1 November 1853: Escape of Negro John from boat; instructions in case of capture. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 160: Da Costa, A.W. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Saltcatcher Bridge, [S.C.?], 27 October 1853: Offers 16 year old Negro for sale. 1 p.
Folder 161: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 25 October 1853: Directions for arrest of boys Ben and John, employed on steamer Florida. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 2 p.
Folder 162: Limehouse, Thomas. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Goulding, S.C.[?], 30 October 1853: Escape of Negro boy Sam from train; plans suing railroad. 1 p.
Folder 163: Staggers, J.G. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Kingstree, S.C., 26 October 1853: Unable to pay money tull 10 January. 1 p.
Folder 164: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 27 October 1853: Describes several Negroes; asks Oakes to attend sale. 2 p.
Folder 165: Moore, William P. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; New Berne, N.C., 26 August 1853: Describes Solomon, for sale. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 166: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 18 October 1853: Introducing John A. Staley. 1 p.
Folder 167: Limehouse, Thomas. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Summerville, S.C., 14 October 1853: Describes Sam. 1 p.
Folder 168: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 22 October 1853: Describes several Negroes offered. 3 p.
Folder 169: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 14 October 1853: Describes girl recently bought; intends going to Darlington. 1 p.
Folder 170: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 12 October 1853: Has bought 2 Negros, likely field hands. 1 p.
Folder 171: Scott, W. Washington. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newnanville, Fla., 14 September 1853: Wishes to buy 2 fourteen year old firls for field hands. 1 p.
Folder 172: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter District, S.C. [?], 10 October 1853: Bought a boy, to be sent at once to Charleston; others offered; chance to buy land cheap. 2 p.
Folder 173: Schwartz & Habersham. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Aiken, S.C., 6 October 1853: Bill for medical treatment of Negro Jack. 1 p.
Folder 174: Pierce, Phineas A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Dorchester, Mass., 3 October 1853: Payment on stock in Newberry Bank. 1 p.
Folder 175: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 6 October 1853: Describes newly bought Negroes. 1 p.
Folder 176: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 3 October 1853: Negro price high, bought but three; must replace lame horse. 2 p.
Folder 177: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 26 September 1853: Not interested in sale of woman; recommended Oakes as agent to hell her for Ker. 1 p.
Folder 178: Gyles, C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Blackville, S.C., 20 September 1853: Wishes to return unsound woman bought from Oakes. 1 p.
Folder 179: Bailey, W.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Waynesville, Ga., 5 September 1853: Sale of house handled by Oakes. 2 p.
Folder 180: Ker, J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 20 September 1853: Sale of Hester and child. 1 p.

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