Five Autograph Documents Signed about the slave-holding trials and tribulations of the Andrew Aldridge family of west Virginia from 1849 to 1862: Slave purchase, rental, clothing, medical care, and capture of a runaway
• Eliza Young. Autograph Note Signed. No place, Sept. 6, 1849. Receipt to Harriet Aldridge for $54.16, “being my share of the sale of boy Cristopher.” 1pg.
• Andrew Aldridge. Copy of Autograph Document Signed. [Charles Town], Virginia, Jan. 1852. 2pp. Contract, agreeing, to pay Susannah Bunn $60 “for the hire of negro Charles” for one year, agreeing also to supply the slave with 2 summer shirts and pantaloons, and, for winter, “one shirt one pair of fulled liney pantaloons, one coat made of the same material, one vest, two pair of socks, one pair of course boots, one blanket of good size, one hat or cap,”, also to “pay his taxes and have his washing and mending done…” On verso a receipt to Andrew Aldridge, signed by Jacob Starry, for Susan Bun, Dec. 23, 1852, for an additional $3 paid for a cradle.
• William O. Macoughtry. Autograph Document Signed. Dec. 14, 1854. 1-pg. Receipt to Andrew Aldridge for $30, with detailed list of medical and dental services provided to Aldridge’s slave Matilda and her 18 month-old baby, including all-night care for Matilda after she had an abortion [with a complication of her placenta?]
• Thomas T. Dugan. Autograph Document Signed (as Jailer). Martinsburg, Virginia, Sept. 12, 1859. Receipt to Jacob Thomas for “one hundred dollars…reward of the apprehension of Aldridge, negro boy”.
John J. Watkins. Autograph Document Signed. Charles Town, Virginia, Jan. 1, 1862. Agreement with Mrs. Andrew Aldridge to hire her slave “Jinny” for 1 year for the sum of $20, agreeing to provide her with clothing, shoes, a blanket and two aprons