Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 70,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World to soldiers’ letters from World War II and Vietnam. Explore primary sources, visit exhibitions in person or online, or bring your class on a field trip.

Back to Collection Search

Livingston, William to unknown re: sale of a slave, who would be fit for "waiting on a gentleman"

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 #: GLC04842.10 Author/Creator: Livingston, William Place Written: Elizabeth Town, [New Jersey] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: November 21, 1774 Pagination: 1 p. 20.7 x 16.5 cm + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 11.4 x 8.6 cm

Summary of Content: Livingston writes that he parts with the slave who was temperate and good natured because "while I lived in New York he would be abroad at nights after the Family was a bed, & we could never find by which avenue he went or return'd...." Livingston also mentions that he wants "a good field negro in his room" and the man was better fit "for the purpose of waiting on a Gentleman." He asked 90 pounds. One bust engraving of Livingston included.

Background Information: Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

People:

Historical Era: American Revolution, 1763-1783

Subjects: SlaveryAfrican American HistorySlave Sale

Sub Era: Road to Revolution

Order a Copy Citation Guidelines for Online Resources

Copyright Notice: The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.