Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Gragg, John W. (fl. 1843) [Bill of sale to Andrew Johnson for a slave girl named Dolly]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02041 Author/Creator: Gragg, John W. (fl. 1843) Place Written: Greene County, Tennessee Type: Autograph document signed Date: 2 January 1843 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 30.2 x 18.7 cm. Order a Copy

John W. Gragg sells Dolly to Andrew Johnson for $500. Gragg signs with his mark, an "x." Cosigned by William M. Lowry, a witness. Dolly is "aged about nineteen years." Docket was written and signed by Andrew Johnson.

[draft] [excerpt]
I John W. Gragg... have this day sold and do hereby convey to Andrew Johnson his heirs and assigns for the sum of Five Hundred Dollars to me paid a Negro Girl Slave named Dolly: aged about Nineteen years, I warrant the Title to Said Slave to the Said Andrew Johnson his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons, and I also warrant her to be sound healthy sensible and Slave for life...

Gragg, John W., fl. 1843
Lowry, William M., 1813-1887
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources