African American
Early County, GA, April 15, 1830
Georgia Farmer Writes to Guardian of Free Black Man
ALS

[SLAVERY.] Richard Grist, Autograph Letter Signed, to Saunders, April 15, 1830, Early County, Georgia. 1 p., 7.75" x 12.5". Expected folds; small edge tears; some loss of paper on original opening of seal.

In this curious letter, Richard Grist, a planter in Early County in southwestern Georgia, writes to Dr. John B. Saunders in nearby Bainbridge, Georgia, "by the request of Colored man whom you are acting as guardian for." Grist writes that a man named Collins died at his house two days earlier and had a considerable amount of cash and accounts with him. Grist informs Saunders that he has a detailed inventory made of the possessions of the deceased man. Saunders may have been acting as a guardian for a free black man. The only free black man in Early County listed in the 1830 census was Jacob Jones, who was the head of a household of three people. It is unclear whether Dr. Saunders was the guardian of Jones or some other free black man.

According to Georgia law, every free black person in the state was a ward of the state, and they were not recognized as citizens. Each had to have a designated white guardian to act for them in civil and legal matters, such as contracts. According to an 1818 act, no free African Americans could enter the state. Those already in the state could not own real property, slaves, or firearms. They had to register themselves with the clerk of the local Inferior Court.

Complete Transcript
Earley County 15 April 1830
Mr. Saunders sir
By the request of Colored man whom you are acting as guardian for I write the following
Mr Collins Died at my House on the 13 ins I have had an Inventory taken of the proper[ty] that He had with him of which there is $146.50 cash & Acpts to the Amt of $688.64 & his Horse, Carriag & Clothes & some other articles to tedious to mention Mr Lester has a Copy of the Inventory with every Article mentioned
Yours with Respct
Richd Grist
NB I have let Joshua Have one of my Horses and a bridle & saddle which he has agreed to return in fewe Day
R Grist

Richard Grist (1802-1849) was born in Washington County, Georgia. He married his first cousin, Mary Bush Bryan (1799-1849), in 1824 in Twiggs County, and they had at least two children. By 1830, they were living in Early County, and he owned 41 slaves. In 1833, he was appointed postmaster in Blakely, Georgia. He died in Clay County, Georgia.

Dr. John B. Saunders was a physician practicing in Bainbridge, Georgia, from at least 1829 to 1831.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 12.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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