negro woman was appraised in York County at twenty-four pounds, a young negro woman at thirty-two, a child of the same race, whose age did not exceed one year and a quarter, at four.[1] A few years later, in a purchase of slaves which was made by Mr. Bryan Smith of York County, he gave thirty pounds sterling apiece for five men, twenty-five apiece for two women, thirty apiece for two other women, and fifty-three shillings for a child. In 1682, a young negro man in York was appraised at twenty-six pounds sterling, and a young negro woman and child at twenty-seven.[2] In 1695, two negro men who formed part of the estate of Captain John Goodman of the same county were held at sixty pounds sterling together.[3]
The valuations placed upon the slaves of Nathaniel Bacon, Sr., whose inventory was brought into court in 1694, represented doubtless the average appraisement of a large estate in negroes at this time in York. Nine were entered at twenty-eight pounds sterling, ten at twenty-five, three at twenty, one at eighteen, three at sixteen, one at fifteen, one at thirteen, one at twelve, and two at eight.[4] The value of a male child, twelve years old, was placed at twenty pounds sterling; of a girl of ten, at fifteen; one of nine, at twelve; while a girl four years of age was appraised at eight pounds sterling,[5] and another of six years, at ten.[6]
In a letter written by Thomas Howell in Surry County, about 1671, he informs his correspondent that he had just bought a negro therefor twenty-six pounds sterling and twelve shillings; “I suppose,” he adds, “the most that ever has been given in these parts."[7]
- ↑ Records of York County, vol. 1664-1672, p. 318, Va. State Library
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1675-1684, p. 486.
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1694-1702, p. 410.
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1694-1697, p. 263
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1687-1691, p. 378.
- ↑ Ibid., vol. 1690-1694, p. 178.
- ↑ Records of Surry County, vol. 1671-1684, p. 41, Va. State Library.
