Records of Enslaved People in Private Collections

Explore a diverse array of historical documentation in the Records of Enslaved People in Private Collections digital collection, encompassing administrative records, advertisements, bills of sale, correspondence, deeds, genealogies, legal documents, lists, promissory notes, wills, receipts, and a myriad of other financial records. These archival records detail life events such as births, deaths, transfers, purchases, marriages, and even war impressments. Spanning slavery in North Carolina from the colonial period through the Civil War and into the Reconstruction era, this collection offers a window into the lives of enslaved men, women, and children. While these records often do not convey their personal perspectives, they vividly illuminate the challenges and experiences they endured during this tumultuous period of history. Please note that this collection represents a selection of records from the State Archives of North Carolina, offering a glimpse into their experiences rather than a complete representation.