Items

• Copy of the Last Will and Testament of Samuel Chew
  Copy of the Last Will and Testament of Samuel Chew. First bequeaths his plantation Swan Point and another unnamed plot of land in Kent County, Maryland, to his brother John, as well as the "labour and service of my Negroes on, or belonging to the above devised lands." He also gives John his approval to sell any slaves for his own profit, and the "time and labour of my house servant Jack for the space of seven years," later in the will stating that Jack is to be freed after the seven years of service. After John's death, the land and "all the negroes and stock" is to be given to Anna Marie Chew Hollyday. He also leaves Anna his late wife's jewelry and the service of his "Negro woman Mary," also for seven years, after which she is to be freed, as well. Mary's child, unnamed, is to continue service until he "attain[s] his age of twenty-five years." To his nephew, Benjamin Chew, Jr., he leaves his plantation in Sassafrass Neck, Cecil County, including all slaves. His servant Elizabeth Constable is to receive her wages plus $300, as well as the service of enslaved woman named Charlotte for six years, after which she is to be freed "as a small reward for her faithful services to me for the long time she had lived in my family." He carries on to give money to members of the Tilghman and Smyth families, and then to his brother, John, two additional slaves, named Jenny and Darky. The will reiterates the eventual manumission of his slaves Jack, Mary, Mary's son, and Charlotte, then states that his "faithful man Richard", a house servant, is to be liberated upon his death and given $200 and all of Samuel's clothing.
• Estate of Samuel Chew-- a collection of documents with details on the sale of Samuel Chew's enslaved people from three Cecil County plantations
  This folder primarily focuses on the sales of Samuel Chew's enslaved people, including multiple lists of the sales of slaves from Chew's plantations of Cecil County, including Frisby Meadows, Rich Neck, and Great Plantation. One document records the slaves by name, who they were sold to, and the price. There is a short letter from George W. Thomas to Benjamin Chew expressing that he would like to purchase "a few for his own use." There is a second document of the three Cecil County plantations, listing the slaves, their ages, who bought them, and their price, in some cases infants given to their mothers, wives reunited with husbands, slaves exchanged, or not sold. Another "extract from the inventory of S. Chew's estate relating to the negroes and stock on the different plantations...also the appraisal of each"- lists slaves and horses. There is also a letter from James Scanlan to Benjamin Chew, Jr., confirming Benjamin's request for a "list of the negroes and to whom sold." The folder also contains a list of slaves sold, including their ages, price, and to whom, from one of Benjamin Chew's plantations.
• Estate of Samuel Chew-- List of notes and securities taken by the sales under the order of the Orphans Court
  List of notes and securities taken by the sales made by Benjamin Chew under the order of the Orphans Court of Kent County and "of the effects of Negroes and stock of the deceased." There are two lines for Richard Frisby on page 4 with a note next to it, reading "secured also by assignm'[ent] of negroes." The last line of the list also specifies the purchase of a "another negro woman @ $300 for which no note was taken." Under this line is an additional note written in pencil, "No this a mistake"- referring to the small memorandum later inserted by Benjamin Chew. It indicates that the purchaser, Kensey Johns, also purchased another woman for $100. The memorandum advises that this full list was made by Richard Barroll, and sent to him two months later, resulting in inaccuracies.
• Estate of Samuel Chew-- Account of Morgan's Creek Mill in Partnership with Samuel Chew, by Benjamin Chambers, 1809
  List of expenses of the Mill at Morgan's Creek in association with Samuel Chew, accounted by Benjamin Chambers, likely dating from 1809 (the year of Chew's death and last line on the account). The account lists a wide range of services and goods, from rum and nails to slave labor. On December 24, 1797, he lists "Negro George for work on Dam," and "Negro Will for work on...Do [possibly also the dam?]."
• Estate of Samuel Chew-- Accounts, James Scanlan's Ledger, 1809-1810
  John Scanlan's ledger, managing expenses of Samuel Chew's estate after his death. Recorded is a payment to John Sappington, a plantation manager or overseer, for "damaged corn." Under the account of William Hackel is a list of payments for items such as wool and corn, as well as two cash payments. Contra to Hackel specified on the facing page lists a payment for wages as overseer of Frisby's Meadows.
• Estate of Samuel Chew-- Accounts with Dr. James Scanlan, 1786-1815, undated
  Collection of Samuel Chew's receipts, accounting & tax documents, and bills, including post-partum signed by Richard Frisby. Includes an extensive bill from John Crookshanks for shoes and various repairs and sundry work. There are also two detailed "medical accounts," with costs - one from Dr. James Scanlan dating from 1809, the other to Scanlan from "The Estate of Samuel Chew Esq., Deceased," also dated 1809. A "memo of the particulars of the claim" of John Frye is also included, mentioning a deceased Captain Walker, possibly referencing an unpaid bill due to Scanlan. "
• L. Alexander to Unspecified, January 01, 1794
  Copy of a letter from "L. Alexander" of Baltimore, describing a woman, identified as a countess, explaining that her husband, the count, had emigrated to England in 1792, leaving her and their five children behind. The count instructed the countess to leave their sons under the care of their steward, and embark with the girls to St. Domingo. It is possibly implied that they were driven from their comfortable home by the "insurrections of the negroes and embarked on the convoy for this place shortly after the destruction of the Cape."
• Edward Tilghman, Jr. to Samuel Chew, September 28, 1806
  Letter from Edward Tilghman, Jr. to Samuel Chew discussing the purchase of half of the ship Louisiana by a man named Minot. Together they are onboarding masts, plank, and turpentine. He describes the purchaser as a man of "unquestionable integrity" and owner of two "India men" in New York. Describes Minot's other ship, Silenus, and its shipments of cotton to Bombay.
• Edward Tilghman, Jr. to Samuel Chew, September 16, 1804
  Letter from Edward Tilghman, Jr. to Samuel Chew, opens by recounting his visit to a "fat black lady near Bristol, wife of the treasurer of St. Domingo who will give me letters to the negro chiefs and obtain passengers out." Proceeds to tell Samuel that provisions and unspecified cargo are being onboarded, and that they should not fear privateers on this voyage but have "20 guns [and] 150 men" at hand if needed. Edward then brings up politics, stating that the Court of Madrid just delivered a dispatch to Washington by newly arrived cutter, and that he anticipates the French to invade immediately.
• Edward Tilghman, Jr. to Samuel Chew, August 25, 1794
  Letter from Edward Tilghman to Samuel Chew, advising that an order of $600 for "Hollingsworth" is accepted. The following line states "the People's Shoes went last week by stage to J. Chew." There is no additional information to clarify what he is referring to.
• Samuel A. Thompson to Samuel Chew, 1800
  Letter from Samuel A. Thompson, a possible overseer of one of Samuel Chew's plantations (written from "Cecile X Roads".) The letter is asking for money to pay for a warrant against himself, though it does not go into detail what he is accused of. Thompson ends by confirming that "the People on your farms have all been healthy as yet and I hope they may remain so", likely referring to slaves.
• John Morris to Samuel Chew, January 20, 1775
  Letter from John Morris to Samuel Chew, writing from Duck Creek Cross Roads, informing Samuel that a "Neagro woman and child belonging to your brother Benj[amin]" that he has "hired" from Benjamin have arrived on his plantation. He is writing primarily to request the clothing that he was told Samuel would provide to the enslaved woman and child upon their arrival, asking him to send "by the first opportunity."
• William Pearce Jr. to Samuel Chew, December 26, 1798
  Letter from William Pearce Jr. to Samuel Chew, William being the tenant of one of the Chew plantations. The letter refers to Solomon, one of Chew's enslaved servants, as well as James, also potentially an enslaved servant of the Chew family. William is possibly describing Solomon resting at the plantation while sick, with "running at the nose", being fed "warm mashes of bran," and states that he "think[s] it is probable he has caught a cold," but it is not entirely clear. Wishes Samuel and his brother the best.
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, undated
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, expressing concern over a pain in her side, asking that she send word "by express" should she become indisposed. Continues by stating that "Longfellow wrote me word he intended to kill his hogs on Tuesday. I take for granted as he will expect the cart up on Tuesday that he will want orders." Tells her to send up two bushels of his brother's coarse salt, then goes into great detail of how the hogs should be butchered, preserved, and the meat distributed.
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, undated
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew letting her know that he has arrived at his unidentified destination, able to send her an update in thanks to Frank, presumably his enslaved servant.
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, September 22, 1781
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, updating her on his brother's fever and when he hopes to return home. Writes "Be pleased to order Tom or Frank to meet me at Cleve's and if I should not be there by two o'clock to come on." No additional information on the two men mentioned.
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, May 25, 1782
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew. Samuel tells Anna that his brother and most of his servants are on board a vessel bound for Burlington. Goes on to describe what is likely the result of small pox on a young girl named "Little Kit", including "four to five hundred pock in her face and fifty on the palm of one of her hands...I am in hope she will not be marked at least not so much as to disfigure her sweet face." Describes another individual, "Ned", and their mother, both of whom got off lightly, but are in emotional distress. Advises that Sally, possibly a servant, will stay with them until fall. Proceeds to tell Anna that he has ordered an unidentified man named "Jack", presumably a slave, down to Dover on Sunday with the Swan Point horse. An individual named "B. Williams" has been tasked with procuring items from a memorandum given to Samuel by Anna. Also advises that a man named "Cato" will be bringing a horse belonging to Mr. Mulligan, which will need to be taken care of.
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, May 30, 1779
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, no location cited but presumably Chestertown as he addresses "coming home" that day. Samuel tells Anna that he will send their servant Dick to pick her up and meet him at a "Mr. Hieth's" (sp?).
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, August 27, 1790
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew. Asks "Nancy" to tell his brother John that a ship belonging to Telles & Co. (sp?) returned from Lisbon and the West Indies with around 100 barrels of flour after they were unable to sell it to either market. Samuel asks her to consult his brother about sending "James" to meet a named P. Howard, potentially at Swan Point. States "I hope Michael has begun to seed yet I would not have him hurried if he thinks the corn too young."
• Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, August 08,1792
  Letter from Samuel Chew to Anna Maria Frisby Chew, no location cited. Samuel states his disappointment of not hearing from her and warns her that this letter will likely arrive late as "all of the men servants, including Dick, were in town with the family and I had not a person to send with a letter till after they came home." A large part of the bottom left corner is missing.
• Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, undated
  Letter from Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew from September 9th, year unknown. Letter begins with reference to painting of their coat of arms, but does not specify where. Benjamin proceeds to advise Samuel that he received a letter from his Delaware plantation Whitehall, informing him that there has been another incident with a slave referred to as "old Cooper". They "had such a resistance from the scoundrel, as for the sake of example to the other Negroes and punishment to himself requires the most immediate notice from my father". He does not expand on the punishment, but says he will come stay a night on his journey to or from Whitehall to address the incident.
• Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, undated
  Letter from Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, undated, begins by reprimanding his uncle for not seeking medical attention sooner, and generally not taking care of himself. References an embargo in place and states that it will "create uneasiness to the Eastward". Continues by apologizing for referencing "so many of my vendue [auction] people" and refers to a "Master Jos" who is at "Mr. Harris'", Master Jos likely a slave being put up for auction. Benjamin states that if the price of $50 is objected to, he will not hesitate to take less.
• Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, undated
  Letter from Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew written March 21st, year unspecified. Describes a personal attack or illness, it is unclear but most likely referring to his health. Mentions Betsy Cooke's children and that they are in "a fair way". Proceeds to advise his uncle that a "young negro man and also a woman of yours" were identified in the city. Benjamin asks his uncle how he would like to proceed, stating "if any have such eloped and you wish to arrest them, give me such description as I can ascertain them and I will [?] write to you that we may make due arrangements for one of your people coming up and be detained as little as possible".
• Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, undated
  Letter from Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, written from the Red Lion. Advises Samuel that he asked his Uncle John if he knew someone who could "take the care of Whitehall" for a few weeks, and if Samuel could "send forward to me some trustworthy animal in the shape of an overseer or give me you advice what is best to be done."
• Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew, November 09, 1794
  Letter from Benjamin Chew Jr. to Samuel Chew referring to a letter from his Uncle John, advising that a foreigner from Baltimore was coming to look at their farm and lands near Chestertown, including the "Brick House" and a tract referred to as "the Triangle", requesting to know which parts he would be willing to part with, and how much. Proceeds to break down the land to his uncle and the pricing, but it is not clear what they intend, if anything, to sell.