Handwritten invitation on folded, embossed paper dated August 16, 1849. Discovered under floorboards in front of the fireplace in the east enslaved quarter during 2020 investigations of the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house. The letter transcription reads, "Miss Mary Lopez respectfully/soliceits the honor of Mr. & Mrs./Allescader Compaony on/Wednesday Evening next/inst. at her residence/Prices Alley at 1/2 past 7/O'Clock August 16th, '49
Slave auctioneer's token, 1846. These tokens were distributed as one-cent pieces and served as advertisements for the businesses and services depicted on the coins. Face view of token reads "W.W. Wilbur Auction & Commission Merchant; Charleston, So. Ca.; Going at Only A Penny" encircling the image of an auctioneer. Obverse view of token reads "Merchants & Manufactors Agents; Collection Broker Notary Public" encircling the image of a tree.
Copper slave badge, square in shape. Face is stamped "Charleston 1840 Servant 1869." 1840 is the year produced and 1869 signifies that it was the 1,869th "servant" badge sold that year.
Coral bead discovered during 2018 investigations of an enslaved quarter in the Nathaniel Russell House kitchen house. Coral is most often associated with children's necklaces and teething rattles in the 18th and 19th century as it was thought to have protective/medicinal properties.
Salt-glazed border tiles made from kiln-fired red clay, used to line walkways and gardens. Made by slave labor on a plantation near Hickory Hill, South Carolina. Four tiles exist in the collection, two of each shown here.
Manilla, a type of metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency.
Manilla, a type of metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency.
Two manillas, metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency. These were made in Birmingham, England.
