1. Appraise bill of the property of B.W. Nix decd. [Laurens County, South Carolina], 14 August 1860. 4 pages, folio, 8 x 12 3/8 in, on blue paper. 

2. Sale Bill of B.W. Nix. Decd. [Laurens County, South Carolina], 4 September 1860. 4 pages, folio, 7 7/8 x 12 3/4 in. 

Two extensive documents related to the estate of B.W. Nix of Laurens, South Carolina. A wealthy man, his estate included household goods, cattle, horses, and most importantly 14 named enslaved individuals. 

The first document lists all of the enslaved individuals with their ages and estimated monetary value: "1 negro girl Liz 60 years old...$100 / 1 [negro girl] Beth 54 [years old]...$250 / 1 [negro man] Charles 46 [years old]...$1,000 / 1 [negro man] Phil 38 [years old]...$1250 / Lilly 45 Child Ann 9 months Bill 2 1/2 years...$1500 / Sally 4 years...$450 / Little Charles 8 years...$700 / Dicy 11 years old...$900 / Ben 14 [years old]...$1100 / Nancy [14 years old]...$1100 / Adaline 13 [years old]...$1200 / Monday 16 [years old]...$1100."

The second document records the prices realized from the sale of the estate, including all of the slaves. In addition to the sold prices, the buyers are also listed: "G.F Anderson...Boy Philip...$1160 / T.F. Black...Girl Elizabeth...$550 / John Davenport...Girl Nancy...$1000 / John Davenport...Boy Benjamin...$1060 / John Davenport...Boy Monday...$1230 / John Davenport...Girl Adaline...$1180 / John Davenport...Aunt Betsy $500 / Hampton Finley...Lilly and Two children...$1320 / S.J. Finley...Girl Dicy...$810 / C.G. Finley...Boy Charles...$800 / William May...Boy Charles...$1025 / C.D. Tinsley...Girl Sally...$530."

John Davenport of Laurens, South Carolina is listed as enslaving 12 individuals in the 1860 Slave Schedule. The schedule was enumerated on 18 June 1860, however, prior to his purchase of 5 more slaves at this auction. Various members of the Finley family also purchased several individuals. The 1860 Slave Schedule lists over 70 slaves owned by Finley family members. 

An extensive account on the eve of the Civil War. 

[African Americana, African American History, Black History, Slavery, Enslavement, Abolition, Emancipation] [Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs]