Page 26 - Swann Galleries - Printed & Manuscript African Americana- Sale 2308 - March 21, 2013

27 ● (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION—MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT.) ”Black
Sam’s Pass,” manuscript pass for a Freeman, named Sam Johns. 4to sheet, signed
by three justicess. Ohio, 1811 [1,500/2,500]
AN EXCEPTIONALLY WORDED “PASS” FOR A BLACK MAN FROM RALEIGH COUNTY,
NORTH CAROLINA WHO WANTED TO, AND DID INDEED REACH THE “WESTERN COUN-
TRY.” ”Know all men by these presents that we the Justices of the Peace do certify that the
bearer of these lines is entitled to freedom & we desire that all may let him pass as he behaves
civilly. His name is Sam, calling himself Sam Johns, and he further informs us that he wants to
travel to the Western Country and we desire that all may let him pass for he is a good, hard-
working honest industrious fellow, Signed by us: John Fallen, William Earmie, Joseph
Hannes.” Docketed on the reverse: “Highland County, Ohio Recorded in the Clerk’s office of
the Common Pleas of said County, in the book of Wills Etc. June 1811 Allen Tremble.” In
the corner “Black Sam Pass.” Allen Tremble (1783-1870) served during the War of 1812 as
a colonel in the Ohio militia, and later served in the House and Senate and finally as
Governor (1822-1830).
28 ● (SLAVERY AND ABOLITION.)
SIMPSON, COLONEL JOHN. A True
and Perfect Inventory of the Goods,
Chattel and Personal Estate of
Colonel John Simpson, Late of
Belfast in the District of Laurens,
Deceased . . . Four long folio leaves,
sewn; written in ledger form with
appraised values in a column to the right.
Laurens County, South Carolina, 1816
[1,000/1,500]
“Colonel” John Simpson was born in Belfast,
Ireland in 1751. He came to the United States
around 1785 and settled in Laurens County
where he built a beautiful two-and-one-half
story manor home, naming it after his native
Belfast. The present “Inventory” is actually a
detailed will with values of every item, includ-
ing slaves, probably for the purpose of taxation.
This will includes all 22 slaves of various ages,
their family relationships apparently not kept
intact. But this is far more interesting than
simply a list of a wealthy South Carolina
farmer’s slaves. The estate is quite complex and
the distribution among family members is fasci-
nating. William Simpson for example,
inherited two slaves named Rosy and Betsy, an
eight day clock and a Bible. “To Jane and her
husband John Nickles, two volumes of Pool’s
Annotation on the Bible and Testament,” “To Mary and her husband Captain Anthony Griffin, one
Negro man named Buford, one Negro man named Noah.” Betsy and her husband received two slaves
as well. It seems as though Jane and her husband John were not in favor, receiving only two books,
valued at $11.50. The will continues: John W. Simpson received 10 slaves and a cotton gin. Others
everything from soap to nails. One of the most detailed early 19th century wills we have seen, cover-
ing seven pages, signed by the appraiser and executors on the last page. The Belfast mansion is still
standing and is maintained today by the Champion International Corporation, as a “hunting lodge
and recreational retreat.”