Autograph Letter Signed, Houston, Texas, August 27, 1851, to her sister

quarto, 6 pages, formerly folded, some minor spotting and smudging, else in good, clean legible condition.

A woman writes her sister about Texas slavery in 1851, Mrs. Tankersly writes about her purchase of a number of slaves belonging to her relation William. William was forced to sell his slaves due to his spendthrift ways, and Mrs. Tankersly urged her husband to purchase them, and keep the slaves "in the family"; however, at least two of the slaves were sold off and separated from their families.

"My Dear Sister,

I was delighted to receive your letter and Green's, and would write to Green now, but as I wish to say some things to you in regard to business matters of William's I will defer writing him 'till next mail.

Truly grieved was I at William's situation – indeed I do not know that I have ever had anything so distress me more but he brought it on by his extravagance – when William came here he was in debt over the amount of nine hundred dollars to Hiram and had long been owing me (he said) for negro hire and things he purchased of mine three hundred dollars – of course Hiram was embarrassed he had payed all he had (the means) to get away from Bolivar besides Mr. Tankersly took with him all he could raise here and borrowed more in New Orleans on interest every dime of which he expended to pay off small debts still hanging over Hiram and to pay their passages to New Orleans and then gave William a draft on Mr. Shackleford of Galveston to get money to defray their expenses from New Orleans to Galveston and thence to Houston; as for Mr. Tankersly's own expenses and time he did not wish nor would he accept compensation. Hiram and William both told me in the presence of Green that they never could have gotten away from Bolivar had it not been for Mr. T – he not only did what I have mentioned, but they said he came near having several personal encounters.

After William reached here he had many big notions in contemplation he was not willing that any one should know he was in moderate circumstances – he said he wished to be a politician and he wanted to pave the way, which plans all needed money. – twice he went to Galveston merely he said to get acquainted with influential men; each time Mr. Tankersly let him have twenty five dollars, which was fifty, every show and hall that was here he went to, and would always pay for two or three young persons besides himself – I remonstrated with William and told him he did not know how fast his money accounts were running up and that of course Mr. T – had children and that he had nothing to depend upon but his profession, and it was natural he would have to have his money again for Mr. Tankersly had borrowed it, and it would have to be payed – William got angry with me and said he expected to pay Mr. Tankersly, and if I did not want my husband to loan him money he could get it from some body else – he would spend money when there was no earthly use, merely to make a show, he took four newspapers $ 2 each, one for Cornelia, one for Bedy and one for Em Baker and one for myself – when I found out what he had done I told William he was not able to furnish so many with papers and I should pay for my own, which I did – and as for Em Baker I told him she would not think any more of him, which made him very angry, and because Hester and I once told him that poor people ought not to marry – he said we knew that we were giving out the impression he was poor and we were injuring him. … When William was first sick his Doctor bill (besides his medicine) was $ 35 . – and as soon as he was able he went to Galveston to see if it would help him – Mr. T – let him have twenty dollars – when he returned he went to the Spring's and Mr. T. let him have (or got for him $65) – while there he borrowed $ 50 from Mr. Vanalilyne a merchant of this place, when he returned here again his physician's bill was $ 5 more – he had a store account of forty dollars with Mr. Sampson – and a good many other bills $ 5 and $ 10 each. When William wanted to sell his negroes he asked such prices for them – Mr. Tankersly said he could not buy them but I plead with to get them, I told him he did not have to pay much money, but he said he was still owing the money he let William have, which he was compelled to pay and that to become responsible for William's debts and the money he would have to raise would be 7 or 8 hundred more – and he would prefer William selling them and paying him the money and Hiram. But I could not bear the idea of them going out of the family, so Mr. Tankersly said if I was willing for him to mortgage our house he would buy them and I consented – but he said he could not get Elich and Liddy. Hiram offered William 3 hundred for them. I will tell you what we gave for the negroes. For Maria 7 hundred and fifty dollars – Mary 7 hundred – Henrietta 4 hundred, Delia 3 hundred and fifty Armstead 2 hundred – Tency 1 hundred-fifty. William in the settlement allowed of his own accord 3 hundred dollars for me – I told him not to do it, but he said he might die and he would prefer paying it. I felt very badly about his going with so little means, but I don't know but what it was best, he spends money with so little discretion when he has it…"