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Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1538

Pony Express, Slavery: Waddell, William B. One of the founders of the Pony Express. A pair of slave and estate deeds from the Waddell family to William Waddell, both drawn in Lafayette County, Missouri, where William was a prominent businessman prior to founding the Pony Express in 1858. The pair of legal transcripts concern the estate transfer of a slave couple, named "Robert & Hannah, and complete the monetary transfer of $2,000 in consideration to the estate of Waddell's mother. The first document, dated Jan. 15, 1855, on blue woven paper and embossed, is for the transfer of one-third interest from John Waddell for $666.67. On white paper, the second document date Feb. 16, 1859 is for the completion of the transfer of $1,333.33 made to the Waddell brothers' married sister. In essence, the document buys out the shares in the family slaves previously belonging to the Waddells' parents. Minor soiling, the second document is severed at hard fold and is in two pieces. Clearly written, concise and very readable. Fine.

Sold for
$300