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Chapter 4

Life & Work

Photograph of circular copper slave badge.
Most all the fine work around Wilmington was done by slaves. They called 'em artisans. None of 'em could read, but give 'em any plan an' they could follow it to the last line.

Related Exhibition

Newspaper clipping "City Badges, for the year 1805"
Square metal badge set on point with clipped corners.  It is engraved "CHARLESTON / 77 /FRUITERER / 1861"
Printed document  with handwritten additions "On the 1st day of January, 1860, we bind ourselves and our heirs to pay unto JOHN FOX the just and full sum of Seventeen and - Cents, for the hire of Negro marha Dollars , for the year 1859. We also bind ourselves and our heirs to furnish said negro with the usual and customary Sum- mer and Winter clothing for the said year; to treat with humanity and not to re-hire and to zeturn to said Fox, on the 25th day of December next, well clothed and furnished with blanket. Given under our hands and seals Bonnet And this 31st day of December 1858. William A Hunton"
Octogonal metal badge that reads "Charleston No. 165/ Porter / 1805"
Clipping from newspaper reading "FIVE DOLLARS REWARD Will be paid for the apprehen. sion of my Negro Girl MARY, aged about nineteen years; tidy in her dress, and a handkerchief round her head, and very likely. Absconded about two weeks since; she is well known on the Green as a washerwoman; and is probably harbor- ed in Negro Kitchens on the Neck. Her badge is No. 471.--Any person harboring said Wench will be prosecuted to the utmost rigor of the law. March 26 3+ JOHN MYER, 292 King-street."