Day 1: Historic Americana & African American History
Fri, Apr 25, 2025 09:00AM EDT
CALL US :
614-305-5120
![[SLAVERY] 1775 Virginia Slave Document, Bowcock Family](https://s1.img.bidsquare.com/item/xl/2955/29559007.jpeg?t=1TGvfP)
Lot 81
[SLAVERY] 1775 Virginia Slave Document, Bowcock Family
Estimate: $250 - $500
Sold for
$550
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
Partly printed document completed in manuscript and signed by Clerk of Courts James Davenport. Westmoreland County, [Virginia], 25 April 1775. 1 page, docketed to verso.
A Revolutionary War era writ of attachment between Anthony Bowcock (ca 1720-1777) and his brother Thomas Bowcock (1722-1785). The sheriff is ordered to keep Anthony Bowcock "to answer Thomas Bowcock of a plea of Detinue for one negro man slave named Ben of the price of Five hundred pounds Damage five hundred pounds."
Interestingly, this document was signed less than a week after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, at the very dawn of the American Revolutionary War.
When Anthony died two years later, his will read "I lend to my brother Thomas Bowcock Negro fellow Seasor to live with his children and no more of my estate." (1773-1787 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds & Will Book 16 & 17. p. 91). By 1782, Thomas was listed as owning 4 enslaved individuals.
[African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]
Available payment options
Fleischer's Auctions packages and ships most items in-house. We make an effort to ensure the lowest shipping rate possible while still meeting our package safety standards.
Large items, framed pieces, and any item that we are unable to package and ship in-house will be marked in the catalog as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio. Once an item is dropped off and no longer in our possession, Fleischer's Auctions is not liable for the item's safe handling or shipment to the successful bidder.