$1,659
Scrapbook of the Babbitt Family, Bristol, Rhode Island, with a Letter From a Slave, 19th century, the scrapbook containing numerous letters of correspondence and newspaper clippings related to the Jacob Babbitt family of Bristol, Rhode Island. Most notable is a favorable letter written by a slave named Quashe Babbitt, whose last name he had taken from his master Jacob Babbitt, Sr. The letter is addressed "Dear Mistress," referring to Bathsheba Babbitt, the wife of his master, and dated September 7, 1819. In it he thanks his mistress for her kindness to him when he was with her family and her care for him in sickness as she would her own child; and to his master for his many favors "ef[s]pecially for my learning and a houf[s]e-lot." There are several articles regarding Major Jacob Babbitt, the son of Jacob and Bathsheba, who was a major of the Seventh Regiment of Rhode Island Volunteers who died at age 55 from wounds sustained at the battle of Fredericksburg; the scrapbook also contains clippings regarding other Bristol, Rhode Island residents and various churches of Bristol.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2011-03-06
