#5 - Stories and Parables
The Old Brick contains a number of historic documents, including the original deed of the farm from 1793, and old wills and receipts from purchases of farm supplies from the 1800s, which are fascinating.
And then, there are a couple of disturbing ones. The two images here are from a contract between two of my ancestors. One, William Caldwell (a direct ancestor of my grandmother) and his son-in-law, Benjamin Blackburn (my grandfather’s namesake great-grandfather). William sold a slave girl, Polly (14 years old) to Benjamin in March of 1835. For a dollar. According to the county registrar stamp on the other side of this document, it cost an additional dollar to register the sale with the county.
William Caldwell
A Bill of Sale
Benj A Blackburn
for negro girl
named Polly
What a despicable, appalling, foul, soul-destroying thing. Ancestors that we can name and envision participated in the 250-year genocide that was slavery. Other branches of the family fought against it. Some evolved, sort of: the man who built the house noted two provisions in his will: at his death, his slaves could choose to go to Liberia or to remain the property of several of his children. Not much of a choice; not particularly praiseworthy, Sam.
Why does this matter now? Well, I’m mentioned in that contract, right there: “his heirs and asigns for ever.” What this means for me is that I must be diligent in every way, not just to work to cancel the contract or apologize for the past, but to recognize in myself any and all tendencies, actions, or patterns of thought that contribute to an environment that still exhibits racial injustice. It’s not enough to stand on the sidelines and not participate. We can’t sit on the porches of our comfortable homes overlooking the mountains and watch people being sold down the river, and say that “we’re over here, we’re not a part of that.”
My aunt Margaret Blackburn White has written an excellent book on this subject that I commend to you. Becoming White: My Family’s Experience as Slave Holders – and Why It Still Matters. (link below) The final paragraph:
“My family’s journey is a parable for how becoming white has locked us into a mind-set and a way of being that is destructive for us and for all those who are affected by it. The lesson of the parable is that we have the opportunity, at this time, in this place, in many ways, to change our mind-set and to rid ourselves of our destructive behavior. I invite you to join my family–our national family–on this journey.”
TRANSCRIPTION OF IMAGE BELOW
Kno all men by these presents that I William Caldwell same [?] of Jefferson County and State of Tennessee that for and in consideration of the love and affection that I have for my Daughter Isabela one dollar to me in hand paid by Benjamin A. Blackburn the rct. Where of so here by acknowledged, have given and [illegible] unto the Said Ben. A. Blackburn a certain negro girl named Polly, about Fourteen years of age and a Slave for life to have and to hold the Said negro girl above given to the Said Benjamin A. Blackburn his heirs and asigns for ever and I the said William Caldwell for myself my heirs and executors or Administrators all the right title claim and interest of in and to the Said Negro Girl Polly unto the Said Benm A. Blackburn his heirs executors or Administrators I will forever warrant and defend also against the lawfull title claim and demands of all and every other Person or Persons, and in further confirmation of Said Negro girl having been give to my Daughter Isabella M. Blackburn She is at this time and has been the possession of Said Blackburn ever since his marriage with Said Isabella and witness whereof I have have [sic] hereunto Set my hand and Seal the ninth Day of March in the 1835 [sic]
— William Caldwell (seal)
Link to Margaret's book:
