Description:

Former Slave Couple Living in Wisconsin - Very Descriptive Letter!

In this letter by a young woman to her friend, she describes an African-American couple who "use to be slaves" that live in a small house on the property where she is working in Wisconsin.

[SLAVERY.] M. Mathis, Autograph Letter Signed, to Mary [?], June 22, [1870s], Waukesha, Wisconsin. 4 pp., 5" x 8". Expected folds; very good.

Complete Transcript

"Waukesha Wis
June 22d 18
My Dear Friend
I am happy at the fulfillment of my long cherished promis to write to you, & I trust that the few lines may be kindly received For not one of you have been forgotten for a moment. I have not written but three letters since I left home Mrs Cook does not keep but one girl & their is so much to do They have built a little house at one end of their grove for an old coloured man & woman that use to be slaves She helps wash & they work in the garden & among the fruit It seems quit[e] like a plantation. She is very anxious to learn to read I have been trying to help her She calls Mrs. Cook her Old Mamma She says if he dies I will have to take them home with me & take care of them they are so black, & so comical Sister seems a little stronger than when I first came She is able to walk around the grove a little I do not think she will ever recover She may live along some time She has a great deal of company more on account of being sick of course the responsibility comes upon me I get very tired If she continues as well as she is now I shall return early in the fall soon enough to get settled before cold wether sets in I can not make any comments on Garratts mill for I have not heard from there but twice since I left I regrated very much I was not able to come the night before I left home to bid your Mother & Sallie good by give my love to both tell Sallie to write The boarders are flocking in the City fast now dear Mary I will this poor letter hoping we may see more of each other upon my return should be happy to hear from you
I remain your true [friend?]
M Mathis

[Added in pencil at bottom of fourth page:]
I little thought when I recd your welcome letter it would remain so long unanswered but I the next day have been sick for nearly three months and to-day have sat up all day for the first time, and to-day I washed the dinner dishes, and I feel as though I had accomplish some great thing I had been so well for a year past that I felt as if I never should have any more sick [?]."

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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October 18, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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