Description
Eliza Brown, Administrator of the Estate, submits report of selling slaves on November 2, 1863 to Jefferson J. Park without the Probate Court's authorization.
"...four Negro slaves belonging to the above named estate, to wit: one Negro woman Ellen, one girl Lucy and two children Bet/Bes and Suly/Sela, all of whom are mentioned and described in the inventory now on file in this Court. The terms of said sale were $200.00 cash in hand and $150.00 to be paid when said sale be approved by the Court."
Eliza Brown needed the money to pay debts and "...consulted those on whose judgment I have the most relied upon as to the possibility of realizing anything for said Negroes at public sale."
Eliza Brown was satisfied that a public sale would be "useless" and "uncertain and almost valueless (to achieve best price) "...(due to) the unexpected appearance of a few traders from Kentucky (having) caused a few Negroes to sell at prices corresponding to what I am to receive..."
"The opportunity (to sell) lasted only a short time, an order being issued prohibiting their transportation, when an unexpected opportunity of selling said Negroes presented itself."
"The mother of the children (Bet and Suly) had passed the prime of life. She kept me in constant alarm with her threats of running off to Kansas as many of the Negroes in the neighborhood were doing almost constantly."
Probate Court approved the sale of the slaves as "being advantageous and to the interest of the Estate."Date(s) of Creation
12/7/1863