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Preferred Citation

Thomas Y. Pass correspondence, Special Collections Research Center, William and Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquired with the assistance of the Nell Richardson Tonkin Fund.

Content Description

January 28, 1857 letter written by Thomas Y. Pass to Alan Womack asking for instructions on what he should do with the enslaved children Womack left at his house. Pass writes that he does not want the children without their mother, and he has had "trouble enough" with them.

Content warning for derogatory language directed towards children enslaved, allusions to child abuse, mentions of buying and selling humans.

Transcription of the letter below:

Jan 28 1857.

Mr. Alan Womack

Dear Sir as the time is fast pasing of and I have your negroe children yet with me at my house in case that Mr. Grandison Brown has never apply for them and I want to no what to do with them as I do not want the children at no price with out there mother to take care of them, and if you wish them to live any how I would be glad for you to wright me word who to deliver them to as I think I have been at trouble enough with the children and you no that they are trouble for that reason I wish to no what to do as I never do no without some information as I thought I am had highered them once I never have nown what to do as I think them and no I made a fare contract for them so I have nothing more at present but remain yours truly

Thos Y Pass

N.B. Since wrighting to you this morning the Mrs. Brown Both say that they will not have the negroes and of course I should like to no what to do with the gang of children I wish to no what cours to persue I am yours in haste T. Y. P

[ spelling left as is, not corrected ]

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Children--Southern States
• Children--United States--History--19th century
• Children--Virginia
• Correspondence
• Slavery
• Slavery--Virginia--History--19th century