The Lantern Project is a collaborative project led by Mississippi State University as part of a coalition of institutions located within Mississippi and Alabama, including the University of Mississippi Libraries (Oxford, MS); Delta State University (Cleveland, MS); The Natchez Historical Foundation (Natchez, MS); Columbus-Lowndes County Public Library System (Columbus, MS); and the Montgomery County Archives (Montgomery, AL). The Lantern Project provides, for the first time, centralized and institutionally supported access to information in legal records documenting enslaved persons, including probate records, court records (orphans court, civil court, criminal court, and others), deeds, receipts, bills of sale, and other documents which were or could have been used as evidence in a trial, from across Mississippi and the Deep South.
The materials contributed by University of Mississippi Libraries are drawn from court records and personal and family papers held in multiple collections. Documents represented include wills and other legal instruments used to transfer personal property; receipts, bills of sale; plantation ledgers, and other plantation records. Geographic areas represented include Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
These collections have been donated to the UM Libraries in support of teaching and research and document the lives and businesses of early residents of Mississippi and other locations in the Deep South. To donate personal and family papers, or records of antebellum businesses and organizations which document the lives of enslaved persons to the University of Mississippi, please contact archivesdept@olemiss.edu.
The Lantern Project has been generously funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) of the United States National Archives and Records Administration. The complete collection is hosted in Mississippi State University's institutional repository.
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Caroline
Ruben Sans
Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Caroline to [Ruben Sans] from Mary Reed.
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News Article Reporting the Kidnapping of an Enslaved Person Named Wilson
William H. Willis
News article reporting that William Johnson, otherwise known as Jefferson Cash, kidnapped an enslaved man named Wilson, belonging to William H. Willis of Tennessee, and took Wilson to New Orleans
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Sally
G. H. Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Sally to G. H. Moseley.
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Authorization to Create a Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Sally
Sarah Ann Walker
Authorization to create a bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Sally, authorized by Sarah A. Walker to Solomon Andrews.
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![Deed of Conveyance from Tennessee to Mississippi 8 Enslaved Persons Named George, Alfred, Jane, Kate, Julia Ann, [infant child], Chapman, and Amanda by Eliza M. McEwen](https://egrove.olemiss.edu/lanternproject/1049/thumbnail.jpg "Deed of Conveyance from Tennessee to Mississippi 8 Enslaved Persons Named George, Alfred, Jane, Kate, Julia Ann, [infant child], Chapman, and Amanda by Eliza M. McEwen")
Deed of Conveyance from Tennessee to Mississippi 8 Enslaved Persons Named George, Alfred, Jane, Kate, Julia Ann, [infant child], Chapman, and Amanda
Eliza M. McEwen
Deed of conveyance from Tennessee to Mississippi 8 enslaved persons named George, Alfred, Jane, Kate, Julia Ann, [infant child], Chapman, and Amanda.
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Jailor's Receipt for Jail Fees Paid for Enslaved Person Named Jacob
E. B. Moseley
Jailor's receipt for partial payment of jail fees for an enslaved boy named Jacob.
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Bob
G. H. Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved boy named Bob to G. H. Moseley.
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News Article on the Death by Suicide of an Unnamed Enslaved Person
Robert Murphy
News article reporting on the death by suicide of an unnamed enslaved man belonging to Mr. Robert Murphy
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Mariah
Harrison S. Plant
Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Mariah
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News Article Announcing the Execution of an Enslaved Person Named Henry
Colonel Durand
News article announcing that an enslaved man named Henry was tried and executed for resisting and wounding the overseer on the plantation of Colonel Durand in the Parish of St. Martin
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News Article Reporting on the Attempted Kidnapping of an Enslaved Person Named Robert
Dr. Leech
News article reporting that a Captain Gumerson attempted to kidnap an enslaved boy named Robert, belonging to a Dr. Leech
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News Article Announcing the Trial of an Enslaved Person Named Jim
Dr. Riddle
News article announcing that an enslaved man named Jim, belonging to Dr. Riddle, has been accused of robbing Mr. Joseph Dyer and will tried
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News Article on the Drowning of an Enslaved Person Named Julien
H. B. Farrot
News of the drowning of an enslaved man named Julien, belonging to Captain H. B. Farrot
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News Article Reporting an Attempt to Smuggle an Unnamed Enslaved Person
John Lewis
News article reporting that an attempt to smuggle an enslaved man into a free state failed when the man called out from inside of a box waiting to be loaded for shipment; the man belonged to Mr. John Lewis of Germantown (presumably in New Orleans)
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News Article Reporting on the Arrest of an Unnamed Enslaved Person Killing a Mill Superintendent
Mr. Cutcliff
News article reporting on the death of Mr. Scott, superintendent of a mill belonging to a Mr. Cutliff, when an unnamed enslaved man belonging to Mr. Cutliff beat him to death
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News Article Reporting the Arrest of a Kidnapper and Thief Named Strong, Who Kidnapped an Unnamed Enslaved Person
Thomas Rose
News article reporting that a thief and kidnapper had been arrested after taking a horse and an unnamed enslaved person from Thomas Rose
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News Article Reporting an Enslaved Person Named Morris Missing
E. P. Shall
News article reporting an enslaved man named Morris missing, with a description of Morris and a reward offered by his enslaver, E. P. Shall
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Deed of Conveyance from Virginia to Mississippi 4 Enslaved Persons Named Washington, Sarah, Charles, and Rosanna
Sarah Ann Walker
Deed of conveyance from Virginia to Mississippi 4 enslaved persons named Washington, Sarah, Charles, and Rosanna.
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News Article Reporting on the Execution of 2 Enslaved Persons Named Nelson and Asbury
Wilson
News article reporting the execution of 2 enslaved men named Nelson and Asbury, for the murder of their enslaver, Mr. Wilson
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News Article Offering a Reward for the Capture of an Enslaved Person Named Mary
William Armstrong
News article offering a reward for the arrest and detention of a runaway enslaved woman named Mary, who has been missing for 2 months; offered by her enslaver, William Armstrong
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Copy of Will of Elizabeth Hull, including 77 Enslaved Persons
Elizabeth Hull
Copy of will of Elizabeth Hull, including 77 Enslaved Persons.
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News Article on the Arrest of 4 Runaway Enslaved Persons Named Robert, Charles, and Frank, and 1 Unnamed Enslaved Person
William Martin
News article reporting on the escape and subsequent arrests of 4 enslaved persons: Robert, belonging to William Martin; Charles, belonging to Mr. Henderson; Frank, belonging to Mr. Matthews; and an unnamed enslaved person belonging to Mrs. Kendig
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News Article Reporting an Enslaved Person's Death by Suicide
Watkins
News article reporting that an enslaved boy named Edmond, belonging to Mr. Watkins, died by suicide
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News Article Reporting the Kidnapping of Two Unnamed Enslaved Persons
Victor David
News article reporting on the kidnapping and subsequent recovery of two enslaved individuals, one belonging to Mr. Peter Mallard and one to Mr. Victor David
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Four News Articles Reporting on the Trial of an Enslaved Person Accused of Inciting Insurrection
Madam Mallere
Four consecutive articles reporting on an attempted insurrection, and the resulting trial and sentence of the enslaved man, belonging to Madam Mallere, charged with the attempt
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Cisley
G. H. Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Cisley to G. H. Moseley.
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News Article Regarding the Lynching of 2 Unnamed Enslaved Persons
Mr. Burnly
News article regarding the lynching of two unnamed enslaved men belonging to Mr. Burnly, who were reportedly hanged after attacking a woman and her child
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News Article Announcing that an Abolitionist Was Caught After Stealing 3 Enslaved Individuals
Gov. Lynch
News article announcing that an abolitionist was caught after taking 2 unnamed enslaved persons belonging to Governor Lynch, and 1 other belonging to Mr. Randolph of Virginia
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Granderson
George M. Lash
Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Granderson (typescript).
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News Article Announcing that a Family Was Murdered by an Unnamed Enslaved Person
Mr. Wilson
News article explaining that Mr. Wilson and his family were murdered by an unnamed enslaved man owned by Mr. Wilson
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Ben
Anthony W. Nanleer
Bill of sale of an enslaved person named Ben.
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News Announcing the Sale of an Enslaved Person for an Unusually High Price
Lockwood
News article detailing the sale of an enslaved girl named Sarah for the unusually high sum of $8,000
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Hannea
George H. Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved woman named Hannea to George H. Moseley.
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News Article Announcing that an Enslaved Man Named Jack Has Been Condemned to Hang for Robbery and 3 Others Sentenced to Lashings
Author Unknown
News article explaining that four individuals broke into and robbed a store, and one of them, a man named Jack, has been sentenced to hang; 3 other persons were sentenced to receive 210 lashes a piece
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News Article Announcing the Scheduled Execution of an Enslaved Person Named Hamilton
Author Unknown
News article announcing the scheduled execution of an enslaved man named Hamilton
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Misety
G. H. Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Misety to George H. Moseley.
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Ben
Cummings Moseley
Bill of sale of an enslaved boy named Ben to Moseley and Cummings.
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Bills of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Hariet and an Enslaved Person Named Sallie
G. H. Moseley
Two bills of sale on a single document; one bill of sale of an enslaved woman named Hariet from John H. Morgan to G. H. Moseley; one bill of sale of an enslaved girl named Sallie from Blackwell & Ballard to G. H. Moseley.
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Will of Edward Herndon including Gift of an Enslaved Person Named Carter
Edward Herndon
Will of Edward Herndon, in which he leaves an enslaved man named Carter to his grandson, Edward Herndon.
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News Article Announcing an Ohioan's Petition for an Enslaved Person Named Jacob Eye to Be Freed
Ebenezer Lane
News article announcing that a man from Ohio, Ebenezer Lane, has petitioned for the freedom of an enslaved man named Jacob Eye, who belonged to Lane but was living in New Orleans; however, a jury refused to grant his request
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Miscellaneous receipts
Colbert E. Cushing
Includes appraisal values for enslaved persons, horses, and furniture. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project.
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Bill of sale from Jas. B. Campbell to Hugh Bell for an enslaved person named Martha. June 3, 1828.
James B. Campbell and Hugh Bell
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Bill of Sale of an Enslaved Person Named Robert
James Devenport
Bill of sale of an enslaved man named Robert
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Locust Grove Plantation Ledger
Locust Grove Plantation
Ledger contains the names, marriages, births, and deaths of enslaved persons on a plantation which internal evidence suggests was Locust Grove Plantation in Jefferson County, Mississippi. Ledger also contains cotton harvest data for each enslaved person. Some pages include newspaper clippings discussing agricultural and domestic techniques and advice. The plantation was founded in 1777 under the name Mount Locust, and the name was changed by Samuel Postlethwait when he purchased the plantation. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project.
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Document: Bill of Sale From Daniel Vertier to Thomas Brockhurst Barclay and George P. Barclay. January 1, 1821.
Daniel Vertreir and Thomas Brockhurst
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Lists of payments received for items sold, including several enslaved persons
Colbert E. Cushing
Includes appraisal values for slaves, horses, and furniture. This item has been aggregated as part of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL)'s "Deeply Rooted: The Agricultural & Rural History of the American South" project.
