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:

Items in this collection may be subject to copyright restrictions. The Boston Public Library does not hold copyright on the material in this collection. Researchers are responsible for identifying and contacting the persons or organizations that hold copyright.

When reproducing material from this collection please include the credit line "Courtesy of the Trustees of the Boston Public Library/ Rare Books."

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

Browse by Box:

[Box 27],
[Box 28],
[Box 29],
[Box 30],
[Box 31],
[Box 32],
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[Box 35],
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[All]

Box 30

Folder 181: Dawson, William C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 31 August 1853: Acknowledges check for $900; trade dull. 1 p.
Folder 182: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Darlington Court House, S.C., 29 August 1853: Sends 2 newly bought Negroes Bill and Ann to Charleston; Emily out on trial; chance for exchange of boy. 1 p.
Folder 183: Caldwell, J.M. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Grafton, [S.C.?], 27 August 1853: Houses in Corning Street for sale. 1 p.
Folder 184: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 26 August 1853: Shipment of Hester and child. 1 p.
Folder 185: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Darlington, S.C., 25 August 1853: Purchase of likely boy for $850; will take girl at $900. 2 p.
Folder 186: Dawson, William C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 22 August 1853: Asks about Rose, William Wright's woman, and titles in sale of January. On behalf of Wm Wright. 1 p.
Folder 187: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 20 August 1853: Has bought 2 Negroes; trying to sell Dass and Emily. 2 p.
Folder 188: Fairchild, Rufus. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Peekskill, N.Y., 16 August 1853: Instructions for sale of girl Silvey; asks about G. F. Kinsey. 1p.
Folder 189: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 18 August 1853: Intends buying 2 Negroes to be sent to charleston at once; goes to Darlington for 10 days. 2 p.
Folder 190: Richardson, J.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 17 August 1853: Will not take less than $1000 for Philip. 2 p.
Folder 191: Hatch, Lewis M. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 15 August 1853: Sale of Sandy. 1 p.
Folder 192: Hogarth, W.F. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Duck Branch, [S.C.?], 14 August 1853: Asks about buying several Negroes at Charleston. 1 p.
Folder 193: Chazal, Dr. J. B. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 15 August 1853: On examination, Negro woman and child owned by Eliza McNellage were sound; confirmed by re-examination. 2 p.
Folder 194: Bailey, W.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Waynesville, Ga., 8 August 1853: House purchased from Jabez Norton. 2 p.
Folder 195: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 10 August 1853: Offer of woman at $750, man for $900. 2 p.
Folder 196: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 9 August 1853: Bought Edward for $950; should sell for $1250. 2 p.
Folder 197: Robuck, Samuel G. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Hamilton So., Fla., [n.d.]: Unable to collect money for Oakes. 1 p.
Folder 198: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 8 August 1853: Describes woman Serena, sent for sale. 1 p.
Folder 199: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 7 August 1853: Recent profits poor; search for runaway; Emily not sold; her possible excahange. 2 p.
Folder 200: Arthur, W.F. A.N.S. to [Ziba B. Oakes]; Columbia, Tenn., 3 August 1853: Sends desired assignment. 1 p.
Folder 201: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 4 August 1853: Descibes Negreoes purchased; railroad broken down, but will ship when possible. 2 p.
Folder 202: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 4 August 1853: Asks value of Negro described. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 203: Adams, Robert S. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Richmond, Va., 29 July 1853: Directions for sending Negroes to Wilmington. 1 p.
Folder 204: Ring, G.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 29 July 1853: On gathering of peaches at Oakes's farm; storm at Charleston damaged railroad. 2 p.
Folder 205: Richardson, John J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 28 July 1853: Asks about Philip's health and prosects of sale. 1 p.
Folder 206: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 29 July 1853: Recent purchases of Negroes; Richardson anxious to sell one; Emily not sold. 2 p.
Folder 207: Nicholson, W.M. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Chester Court House, S.C. [?], 27 July 1853: Negroes Charlotte and Roxana at Checter awaiting orders. 1 p.
Folder 208: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 27 July 1853: Offers $25 for capture of Peter. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 209: Ring, G.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Aiken, S.C., 26 July 1853: Trouble with Riggs over farm and disposal of stock and furniture. 2 p.
Folder 210: Barnes, William. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Atlanta, Ga., 25 July 1853: Asks about insurance. 1 p.
Folder 211: Otey, Thomas. A.L.S. to [Ziba B. Oakes?]; Richmond, Va., 23 July 1853: High prices for Negroes at Richmond; anxious to furnish some. 1 p.
Folder 212: Adams, Robert S. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Stantonsburg, N.C., 22 July 1853: Asks number of Negrows bought and when they will reach Wilmington. 1 p.
Folder 213: Bailey, W. E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Waynesville, Ga., 21 July 1853: On papers for sale of house. 2 p.
Folder 214: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 15 July 1853: Asks original homes of runaway negroes january and Peter. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 215: McElveen, A.J. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 13 July 1853: Sends newly bought Negro to Charleston. 1 p.
Folder 216: McElveen, A.J. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 10 July 1853: Purchase of Negro boy at $775; refused to pay $700 for girl. 1 p.
Folder 217: Bailey, W.E. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Waynesville, Ga., 6 July 1853: Referred possible purchasers of house to Oakes. 3 p.
Folder 218: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 7 July 1853: Acknowledges draft for sale of Joe. 1 p. On folder with printed advertisement for firm.
Folder 219: [Limehouse, Thomas.] A.L. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, Ga., 9 July 1853: Due to child's illness can not go to Charleston; wants to sell Negro Sam. 1 p.
Folder 220: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 7 July 1853: Acknowledges insurance policy. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 221: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 3 July 1853: Inquiries about protested draft. 1 p.
Folder 222: Johnston, Nathan. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Beech Branch, Tenn., [n.d.]: Asks for descriptions of two Negroes advertised. 1 p.
Folder 223: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 8 March 1855: On examination, boy John would bring little more than $600. 1 p.
Folder 224: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 8 March 1855: Has bought no Negroes. 1 p.
Folder 225: Benbow, H.L. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Clarendon, Wright's Bluff P.O., S.C., 4 March 1855: Asks about $30 charge for sale of Negro Jacob. 1 p.
Folder 226: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Camden, S.C., 5 March 1855: No purchases due to high prices; cites some. 1 p.
Folder 227: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 16 February 1855: On Cyrus, sold to Wright; is sending handy by boat. In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1 p.
Folder 228: Brown, S.N. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 2 March 1855: Interested in buying girl owned by Mordecaui; trade dull. 2 p.
Folder 229: Wylly & Montmollin. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 17 February 1855: Send check for balance due for 3 men. 1 p.
Folder 230: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 2 March 1855: Questions purchase of mulatto girl at $900. 2 p.
Folder 231: Farnboro, Allen G. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Barnesville, Ga., 29 February 1855: Offers $1350 for boy Pinckney and yellow boy Jack belonging to J.S. Riggs. 1 p.
Folder 232: Whaley, William T., Jr. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; John's Island, S.C. [?], 2 March 1855: Believes man Oakes cites is Caleb not Philip. 1 p.
Folder 233: Barber, F.C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Augusta, Ga., 12 March 1855: Offers land for sale. 1 p.
Folder 234: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 28 February 1855: Asks consideration for a Mr. Green; woman offering too expensive. 1 p.
Folder 235: Green, William. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [Charleston?, S.C.], 28 February 1855: Orders woman Delia delivered to H.D. Green.
Folder 236: Barber, F.C. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Augusta, Ga., 28 February 1855: Trouble over house lots; is imposed on by Donnell. 1 p.
Folder 237: Sumter, F. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 26 February 1855: Asks about woman Clarissa. 1 p.
Folder 238: McElveen, A.J. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumterville, S.C., 26 February 1855: Asks Green's woman sent to Sumterville; chance to buy at $900, now in jail. 1 p.
Folder 239: Sanchez, Venancio. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; St. Augustine, Fla., 11 December 1854: Boy John unacceptable; in bad health. In hand of G.E. Slambias. 2 p.
Folder 240: Sanchez, Venancio. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; St. Augustine, Fla., 10 February 1855: Boy John unsatisfactory; want to buy good sound boy. In hand of Alonzo A. Brown. 2 p.

Browse by Box:

[Box 27],
[Box 28],
[Box 29],
[Box 30],
[Box 31],
[Box 32],
[Box 33],
[Box 34],
[Box 35],
[Box 36],
[Box 37],
[All]