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 Expresses concern about the settlement of his father's estate. Slave trading in New Orleans.

  • » Date: 1841-03-26
  • » Subject: Expresses concern about the settlement of his father's estate. Slave trading in New Orleans.
  • » Written By: Calvin M. Rutherford
  • » Addressed To: Major James Turk Gleaves Sr
  • » Transcriber: Pen Bogert
  • » File # 408

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NEW ORLEANS LA MAR 28 (postmark)

25

Majr. Jas. T. Gleaves P. M. (Postmaster)
Buffalo Ford Wythe Cty.
Va.

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New Orleans 26th of March 1841
Majr. J. T. Gleaves

Dr Sir – I recd yours of the 10th of Feby last also yours of the 10th of January both informing me of the death of my Father in yours of the 10 of January you requested me to let you know at what period it would Suit me best to have the boy Jim and the plantation of my fathers Sold which I answered immediately not before the first of June or the 15th at which time I expect to be there in yours of the 10th Feby you notify me that you will or have Sold the boy on the 20 Inst and said nothing about the land I should have been a bidder for the boy Jim to the amount of five Hundred Dollars could I have been there if he is not Sold I will give that sum for him so far as I am interested in the estate of my Father I hereby authorise you to act for and represent me in every Case with the balance of the heirs exting (excepting) in the land I hope you will not do anything with that untill I see you say to my brother Randolph as he lives in a free state that I will purchase his interest in the Slave property at a fair cash Valuation or any of the other heirs that may wish to Sell if he should be there before me I wish you to buy his intrest for me for Cash and I will be prepared to meet you with the money when I arrive but as I have nothing Comeing to me at this time it would be spending money to go there notwithstanding I will Come if my Mother wishes me to do so you will please write whether or not she intends remaining on the place

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I shall remain here untill about the 1st of June which is time sufficient for you to write more specific on the subject let me know whether or not there is anything and what amount devised to the heirs of John Rutherford decd as I can have an opportunity of letting them know –

I cannot close without rubbing (ribbing) you a little about yours that I recd this day ½ sheet of paper and it not Sealed I did not suppose that you were so closely engaged that you could not Seal your letter but it is honest Harrison times and documents can pass unnoticed I wish to have something to read when I open a letter from So great a distance you do not even mention whether your Family is well or not I believe that I am in as good health as I ever have been notwithstanding I have seen my up and downs since I left there I hope I am making proper use of my time here or I would not delay going So late in the Season the City is very healthy and has been for the last 12 months no disease like an epidemic but Small pox plenty I have on hand at this time about 42 or 3 negroes to Sell and then I shall be ready to leave here I am selling at fair prices and the market scarce, I wrote about a lot of Ellis negroes and have not recd any notice from you Concerning them write me direct on the recpt of this

Yours
Respectfully
C. M. Rutherford

Transcriber Notes

The tone of this letter is much more direct and demanding than Rutherford’s early letters to Gleaves. Rutherford continues to express his concern over how his father’s estate will be distributed. He also suggests that he be given the opportunity to purchase the slaves devised to his brother, Randolph, who lived in Indiana, as well as those of any other siblings who wished to sell. Rutherford was obviously anxious to obtain as many enslaved people as possible to sell in New Orleans during the next “Season.”

Also interesting to note is his comment that although “plenty” of people had died in New Orleans of smallpox during the last year, this was not considered to be an epidemic.

Editor’s note:
Mary B. Kegley in her book “Early Adventurers on the Western Waters”, Volume III, Part 2, page 499, mentions the will of Randolph Rutherford “written January 5, 1841 and probated on January 11, 1841.  Randolph directed that all land was to be sold by the executor James T. Gleaves.  His wife Polly (Mary, daughter of Walter Kerr) was to have $200 from the sale of the land and certain Negroes.  All of the children were to receive Negroes and money and were named as follows:  Calvin and Josiah, sons of John Rutherford, deceased, Jane Fry, Nancy Orr, Polly Orr, Elizabeth Shipley, William, Nehemiah, Randle, Jr., Delila Austin, and Calvin M. Rutherford (Wythe County Will Book 5, p. 355).”

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