Black History
1864 Black Worker From Delaware Seeks Higher Wages
September 3, 1864-Dated Civil War Period, Manuscript Letter Signed, "Harry Grimshaw" where a Black Worker Leaves a Household in Wilmington (Delaware) to Seek Better Wages, Extremely Fine.
Interesting Black History related Letter is to "Lee" (likely a relative), measuring 7.8" x 5", explaining the circumstances in which a Black man wanted to work for a "better salary" elsewhere. It reads, in part:



"Abner Hollingsworth called this morning to say the 'darkey' Henderson Jenkins left them a week since, before going he told Abner he was going to live with John Foster and to receive eighteen dollars per month. Abner says he was a first rate fellow not afraid of work, honest. The women about the house all liked him... the only difficulty was the price of wages. Henderson did not want to work at the regular price of a farm hand. - Harry G."



Interesting letter, detailing the transition from Civil War to Freedom for most African Americans in the border states. Delaware was one of the few Slave-holding states that had remained loyal to the Union, and was thus allowed to retain Slavery throughout the war; a paid Black laborer, however, was free to seek higher wages!