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Ziba B. Oakes Papers

Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

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

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Collection Overview

Title: Ziba B. Oakes Papers, 1852-1857Add to your cart.View associated digital content.

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],
[Box 33],
[Box 34],
[Box 35],
[Box 36],
[Box 37],
[All]

Box 36Add to your cart.
Folder 541: Bamberg, W.S.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Bamberg, S.C., 12 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On settlement of account; wants family on credit. 1p.
Folder 542: Bryan, James H.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; New Orleans, La., 7 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Has set up buisness at New Orleans; proposes that Oakes supply Negroes from Charleston, setting forth terms of payment. 3p.
Folder 543: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter Court House, S.C., 30 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Reports on Negroes offered for sale by R. Cannon. 1p.
Folder 544: Wylly, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 26 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On return of girl Delia. 1p.
Folder 545: Wylly, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 20 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks him to return Delia. 1p.
Folder 546: Kinard, H.H.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newberry, N.C., 18 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On payment for Mary and children. 1p.
Folder 547: Kinard, H.H.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newberry, N.C., 12 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Requests bills of sale for William and Katharine. 1p.
Folder 548: Wylly, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 17 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends Delia for sale. 1p.
Folder 549: Brightman, S.A.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [n.p.], 19 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On unsound condition of Mary bought from Oakes. 2p.
Folder 550: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 6 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about possible visit of mulatto girl Lydia to Charleston.  In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 551: Owings, R.M. & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Hamburg, 1 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Reports sale of Lydia in Savannah. 1p.
Folder 552: Collins, T.W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Orangeburg Court House, S.C., 1 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Offer for woman and children. 1p.
Folder 553: Leighton & Sherman. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes;  Georgetown, 20 December 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Requests enquiry about Negro named Boston. 1p.
Folder 554: Wright, William. Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 29 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about a mulatto, sister of a girl belonging to Manigault.  In hand of Wm C. Dawson. 1p.
Folder 555: Wylly, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 8 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Introduces partner, Thomas W. Collins. 1p.
Folder 556: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 22 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On return of runaway boy James. 1p.
Folder 557: Mordecai, Thomas W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 10 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Returns map of South Carolina. 1p.
Folder 558: Whaley, William T. Jr.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; John's Island, S.C., 21 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about bond prices. 1p.
Folder 559: Sauls, Caleb. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Walterborough, S.C., 8 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Regrets inability to recover runaway, Andrew, even with dogs. 2p.
Folder 560: Brown, George L.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newnanville, Fla., 28 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On claims to Negroes sold by Charles L. Wilson as owned by Col. Philip Dell. 1p.
Folder 561: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.D.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 29 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bill of sale of Clarissa. 2p.
Folder 562: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter, S.C., 4 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Reports on sales; wants to take Negroes to Alabama. 2p.
Folder 563: Kinard, H.H.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Columbia, S.C., 23 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Terms of purchase of woman and 4 children. 2p.
Folder 564: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 20 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Reports jailing of James, a runaway. 1p.
Folder 565: Kinard, H.H.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newbern, N.C., 29 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends draft to pay for Emily, children, William & Catharine. 2p.
Folder 566: Wylly, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 8 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends Delia and 2 children by boat. 1p.
Folder 567: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 14 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On collection of check. 1p.
Folder 568: Kinard, H.H.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Newberry, N.C., 28 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Accepts terms for purchase of Emily and children, William & Catharine.; 1p.
Folder 569: Leighton & Sherman. Ms.N.S. (W.F. Joy) to Ziba B. Oakes; Georgetown., 25 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On boy Reuty. 1p.
Folder 570: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter Court House, S.C., 20 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On his financial plight. 1p.
Folder 571: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 21 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On death of Hamblin Saunders, signer of note. 1p.
Folder 572: Montmollin, John S.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 18 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Offers some field hands for sale. 1p.
Folder 573: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter, S.C., 17 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On proposed purchases. 1p.
Folder 574: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 15 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bill of exchange not sold; boy Jim has run away. 1p.
Folder 575: Burch, Kirkland & Co.  Ms.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 7 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Local prices; state of Negroes on consignment. 1p.
Folder 576: Nisbet, M.C.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Louisville, Ky., 26 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On land purchases in South and Middle West. 2p.
Folder 577: Leighton & Sherman. Ms.N.S. (W.F. Joy) to Ziba B. Oakes; Georgetown., 19 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On draft coming due; can sell boy Reuty. 1p.
Folder 578: Happoldt, Albert. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 4 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends bearer Prince for sale at $700. 1p.
Folder 579: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 1 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends payments for Patrick & Moses; leaves 4 Negroes with Burch & Kirkland. 2p.
Folder 580: Elliott, J.R.  Ms.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 3 November 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks value of woman and boy. 1p.
Folder 581: Shaw, George W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Camden., 4 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about cook offered for sale. 1p.
Folder 582: Brownlee, E.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Ridgeville, S.C., 11 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On price for boy Team. 2p.
Folder 583: Austin, W.W.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Columbus, Ga., 2 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about prices and possible purchase of 10 to 15 men and women. 1p.
Folder 584: Brock, Jacob. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 12 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Complains of not hearing from Oakes. 1p.
Folder 585: Montmollin, John S.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 18 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Stagnation of buisness. 1p.
Folder 586: McElveen, A.J.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Sumter Court House, S.C., 4 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Has drawn on Oakes for money; few Negroes available. 1p.
Folder 587: Leighton & Sherman. Ms.L.S. (W.F. Joy) to Ziba B. Oakes; Georgetown., 10 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On payments for Reuty and Bristol. 1p.
Folder 588: Montmollin, John S.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Savannah, Ga., 30 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
No fever, but business dull. 1p.
Folder 589: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Bamberg, S.C., 10 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On negotiations with Bamberg; will bring Negroes to Charleston. 1p.
Folder 590: Cox, John. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Mount Pleasant, Tenn., 3 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Wants to buy 8 or 10 young Negroes if fever over at Charleston. 1p.
Folder 591: Filor, James. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Key West, Fla., 10 October [1856]Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about sale of Carolina. 1p.
Folder 592: Porter, Rees W.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Nashville, Tenn., 21 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Proposes purchases at Charleston for resale at Nashville. 1p.
Folder 593: McElveen, A.J.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Bamberg, S.C., 15 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends Bamberg's note. 2p.
Folder 594: Leighton & Sherman. Ms.L.S. (W.F. Joy) to Ziba B. Oakes; Georgetown., 24 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
On notes for payment. 1p.
Folder 595: Filor, James. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Key West, Fla., 25 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Negotiations regarding Carolina. 2p.
Folder 596: McElveen, A.J.  A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Montgomery, Ala., 15 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Trade in Montgomery. 1p.
Folder 597: King, Jesse. A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Milledgeville, Ga., 5 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Asks about market at Charleston.
Folder 598: Happolt, Albert. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [Charleston, S.C.], 26 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Sends field hands Ceaser and wife Nanny to be sold. 2p.
Folder 599: Joy, William F.  A.N.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; Charleston, S.C., 21 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Had referred W.S. Utsey of Walterboro to Oakes as possible buyer of Reuty. 1p.
Folder 600: Epps, Edward. A.L.S. to Ziba B. Oakes; [Lower Salem Post Office], 25 October 1856Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A Negro sold through Oakes has a stolen gun. 1p.

Browse by Box:

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

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