Barcode number 1178215: Etna Furnace Negro Book, 1815-1822

Scope and content:

Etna Furnace Negro Book, 1815-1822, records purchases at the ironmaster's store made by enslaved laborers at Etna Furnace. Enslaved workers who performed duties beyond their required tasks were compensated in cash or in goods from the ironmaster's store. Each entry is made under the name of the enslaved worker and records the goods purchased, the money owed or paid, or if paid in labor what labor was done. Examples of goods purchased include sugar, tobacco, shoes, trousers, cloth, pantaloons, etc. Examples of extra work performed for payment of goods include hauling, cording wood, working on Sunday, and working during Christmas. There is no index or pagination and no discernible arrangement.

Some enslaved names found in the account book include Old Sophie, Sam Beau the Miller, or Black Phil. Many surnames are listed including Glascock, Glasscock, Wilson, George, Johnson, Tutwiler, Olds, Carter, Mease, Rowland, Tayloe, Smith, Newbill, Skilern, Mewks, Meux, Mannering, Lee, Cosby, Hart, Burley, Buckley, Gordon, Sprig, Green, Dawson, Clark, and Jackson. Many of the enslaved worked were hired by the furnace, but some such as Tuler (sometimes spelled Tooler) Wilson and Bill Wilson were enslaved by William Weaver.

The back cover of the volume records instances of "runaway" enslaved persons, noting the date they disappeared and the date they returned. Included are several entries regarding a Randall Clark who is described as a thief and self-emancipator. Reference is made to a trial of Randall Clark in 1815 where he was sentenced to be burned and whipped.

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