The Domestic Slave Trade Through Southwest Virginia
In the 1800s, coffles of enslaved people were transported through this part of Southwest Virginia to the Deep South to be sold into the slave labor camps producing cotton and sugar for international markets. This is the story of one such coffle.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
The Beginning
On October 18, 1834, James A. Mitchell assembled the purchased group of enslaved people and moved Pittsylvania County, Virginia to go to Natchez, Mississippi. The slave markets at Natchez were located at a crossroads known as the Forks of the Road. Here, Mitchell would sell 50 men, women, and children into the labor camps of the Deep South.
The People
These are the names of the men, women, and children trafficked by James A. Mitchell, as he entered them into his account book:
Hecktor Caly Talor Jordan Jackson Moses Canter Mary Canter Martha Bundram Lewis Muse Jess Cook Epen Shelton Pechance Clemons Henry Lang Green Childress Ordreck Daniel Woodry Marien Henney Marien Stone | Lewary Talifaro Eliza Dunman Ben Law Colman Tuller James Kurko Lewis Cranshaw Frank Horton Jeff Carter Abrum Carter Moses Carter Stephny Flem Joe Grigery Bob Ephraim Hairston Edman Mc. | Toney Moses Woodruf Sam Makler Nutty Dun Caroline Adam Fanny Walden Cintha Dunman Clomy Shelton Martha Law Vina Muse Mary Hairston Judy Shelton Susanna Young Martha Walden Manerva Young Amely Eperson Malinda Hine |
After leaving Pittsylvania County, the enslaved people were forced to cross the New River at Ingles Ferry on October 24, 1834. At Ingles Ferry, there was a toll bridge and ferry, and Mitchell paid $2.50 for his crossing and that of his wagons. In similar crossings, the enslaved were forced to wade the river while remaining chained together.
Crossing the New River
An Intersection of Place
Near the end of October 1834, the coffle passed the farm that in two years time would become the location of Emory & Henry College.
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
On October 29, 1834, they crossed the Holston River at Boatyard, at what is now Kingsport, Tennessee, approximately where the Netherland Inn stands.
Crossing the Holston River
On November 5, 1834, they crossed the Clinch River, following the path of what is now Interstate 40, to get to Crab Orchard, Tennessee. After crossing the Clinch, there would be at least another month of walking before they reached the slave markets at the Forks of the Road.
Crossing the Clinch River
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Forks of the Road
In December 1834, the coffle was sold along with livestock to traders and planters in Natchez, Mississippi. Mitchell used part of the profits to purchase Christmas gifts for his family. Mitchell returned to Pittsylvania County, Virginia in February 1835.
The James A. Mitchell Account book is held by Duke University Libraries.
Maps and Images courtesy of the Library of Congress