Sale of Stock, Negroes and a Fine Carriage and Horses

Allen, ,

On Monday, 9th January next, we will sell at the Artesian Basin, in the city of Montgomery, at public auction, the following described personal property of the estate of John H. Murphy, deceased:
Seventy-five Shares of Stock in the Montgomery Insurance Company:
Fifty Shares of Stock in Alabama and Florida Rail Road Company
Six Shares of Stock in the Montgomery Gas Light Company.
Also, twenty-three NEGROES, among which are three good brick-layers, and plasters and several fine house servants, cooks, &c.  The negroes will be sold in families, and catalogues funished on the day of sale.
Also, a fine Carriage and pair of Horses.
The Stocks will be sold for cash.  The Negroes and Carriages and Horses on credit of 6 months, for approved Bills of Exchange with interest from date.
EDMUND HARRISON,
HENRY G. SEMPLE,
Executors of J.H. Murphy, dec’d.
dec 26 – d&wtds           [M.]

Edmund Harrison once owned my Great Great Grandmother Eliza Williams Allen and her mother Annie Williams.  The article that confirmed that information is here “She was owned before the war by Colonel Edmund Harrison of this county.” I found this article on Genealogy Bank.

6 thoughts on “Sale of Stock, Negroes and a Fine Carriage and Horses”

  1. It was common for newspapers of that day to have advertisements of this sort but no matter how many times I see these, it hurts the heart to see people sold with the horses and carriages, etc., as personal property.

  2. It's just chilling. I find myself clutching at straws – at least people were sold as families. As if that somehow makes it better… Not easy.

  4. I cannot believe what you have found! Amazing to have this connection even if she is not mentioned by name.

  5. Corinne, Eliza wasn't in the sale. She was free in 1860. And he was selling someone else's slaves. But her daughter, Mary is mentioned by name in the linked article as having been the slave of Colonel Edmund Harrison.

  6. Every time I see what you've been able to discover through Genealogy Bank, it makes me wonder whether I should sign up. This is such a gripping ad — like Susan I was relieved that they were at least sold in family groups even though all of us would agree that this was horrendous.

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