Letter referencing Joe Clayton, from Henry to Victoria Clayton, 1864
Item
Title
Letter referencing Joe Clayton, from Henry to Victoria Clayton, 1864
Description
Excerpt of a letter from Henry Clayton, Dalton, Georgia, to Victoria Clayton, December 11, 1864, which mentions his plans to reward the loyalty of Joe and other enslaved people if and when he survives the Civil War.
Henry Clayton was a plantation owner in Barbour County, Alabama. Victoria was his wife.
Henry Clayton was a plantation owner in Barbour County, Alabama. Victoria was his wife.
Transcript
[page 1]
.....
Tell Joe and all the negroes I am proud of the way the [sic] conduct themselves. All I ask is for them to make a support and enough to pay taxes
[page 2]
and other expenses. I do not want a dollar from the farm as long as the war lasts. If they remain faithful throughout, and if I live they shall be provided for better than any other negroes and have everything necessary for their comfort and happiness. Nothing that I have will be too good to divide with them. They never knew me to deceive one of them, they must therefore trust me when I say they shall never have cause to regret their fidelity.
.....
.....
Tell Joe and all the negroes I am proud of the way the [sic] conduct themselves. All I ask is for them to make a support and enough to pay taxes
[page 2]
and other expenses. I do not want a dollar from the farm as long as the war lasts. If they remain faithful throughout, and if I live they shall be provided for better than any other negroes and have everything necessary for their comfort and happiness. Nothing that I have will be too good to divide with them. They never knew me to deceive one of them, they must therefore trust me when I say they shall never have cause to regret their fidelity.
.....
Date
11 December 1864
Coverage
Barbour County, Alabama
Source
Is Part Of
Henry De Lamar Clayton Sr. papers (MSS.0313)