Washington and Lee University, University Library Special Collections and Archives
The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.
The collection is open for research use.
[Identification of item], Contracts for the Hiring of Enslaved Persons by the William Ackerly Estate (RHS Coll. 0004), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va.
This collection consists of seven one year contracts created by Abraham Lovell, curator of William Ackerly's estate, for the hiring of the enslaved persons Rachel, Fanny, Nancy, James Alexander, Elisha, and Caroline with her three children. Each contract includes the name of the enslaved person, the dates for her or his hire, the cost of hire, and the name of the leasee. Each document states that the individuals were to be treated "with humanity" or "humanely" and returned with 'the usual amount of clothing' on Christmas day of the same year.