• Bryan, William J., Autograph Letter Signed, Monroe County, Georgia, January 30, 1844 to James Evers, Elizabeth Town, Bladen County, North Carolina. 2pp.+ stampless address leaf, split along folds. About the rising value of slaves.
• Unsigned document, probably a property tax valuation. Cheraw [South Carolina], ca. 1863. Approx. 5.25 x 3”, 2 pp. Lists 6000 lbs. of Fodder, two cotton gins, an ox cart, 2 shovel ploughs, 4 bags of cotton (one “on the Island”), 28 head of cattle, 2 mules – and two slaves, “Jane’s Children”, 12 year-old Edward and 6 year-old Sarah. Written, ironically, the year of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Bryan, a store-owner, apparently represented Evers in his slave-holding affairs. He had recovered Bryan’s money from William Evers, who threatened to sue “to recover back part for the board and clothing of Hannah during the time he kept her.” Business in general was improving. “Times are getting much better here…cotton has taken a considerable rise… money is quite plenty and property of all kinds has risen considerably, negroes, in particular Negro men that a few months ago sold for Six hundred dollars is worth Seven to Seven hundred and fifty Dollars at present…”