Black History
1863 Dated "Confederate" Appraisal of a Dead Slave Boy
November 30, 1863-Dated Civil War Period, Manuscript Document, Confederate Appraisal of a Dead Slave Boy, Choice Very Fine.
This Manuscript Document is written completely by hand and measures 9.75" x 7.5". Recorded here is the appraisal in South Carolina of a young Slave boy named Shadrach. Apparently, Shadrach had gone to "the Coast" to work and died shortly after his return. Therefore, this was probably an appraisal done for insurance purposes. The top half of the document is an attestation by Three Appraisers that they would make a good and faithful valuation of the late Slave boy. The three appraisers, Henry Haigler, Wm. Houck, and Jesse Haigler sign at right just above the central. horizontal fold. The bottom of the document records the actual appraisal, in part: "As this boy was in the prime of life, and nearly 17 years of age, who was sound and generally healthy, until he was on the coast to work, we appraise him at the sum of twelve hundred dollars. And this sum we think sufficiently low, according to the present times...". The three appraisers sign again at lower right. The handwriting on this document is crisp and clear; the overall condition is good. Rare context, to attain a Dead Slave Boy's value.