The History of Enslaved People at UA, 1828-1865

Mary

Item

Name

Mary

Alternate Name

Little Mary

Sex

Female

Freedom Status

Basil Manly Diary VI (1858-1878) image 85, Sept 2, 1865 (leaving Manly plantation)

"I have ascertained that 24 of my negroes have left me, & taken their freedom, under the late military order of the U.S. Authorities – viz. Mary & her family, Binkey & her three children (Elizabeth, Julia Ann, & Larrey), Arthur, Oliver, & John. William, his wife Sabra, & their two children (Alice & Margaret). Archy or Tom & his wife Priscilla, & their two children, (Richard & Willis). Rebecca & her two children (Somerset & Dennis) Andrew (father of Binkey’s children) Alick (Alexander) & Ann. = 22 Patsey, Henderson (son of Patesey) = 24 to this date."

Living Location

Sent to Richmond VA with Basil Manly Jr. along with her husband and children

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 287, Oct 14, 1852

"This evening at 8 o’clock, my servant, Ben and Mary with their two children, Margaret and Harriet left Tuskaloosa for Richmond Virginia, - under the charge of Mr. R. C. McLester of North-Port. They are intended for the use and service of my son Basil, and his family; and are to be held by him or them, together with Martha, a servant already received out of my portion of the estate of L. Rudolph Senior which said servant is now in their care in Richmond subject to future account in the distribution of my estate. -
I mean, by this, that when my estate is to be divided among my heirs, these negros with all their issue are to be thrown into the common mass of my property, - and my children or their representation must take their equitable share, - as if no distribution had been previously made.
Of my intentions in this respect, I have duly informed my son, Basil -
I have put into the hands of Mr. R. C. McLester $200 to be applied to the payment of the expenses of these negroes who to buy me a carpet in New York, for my parlor up-stairs."

Spouse of

Ben

Parent of

Margaret

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 46, June 23, 1848

"This day at about 11 o’clock my girl Mary (called Little Mary) about 18 years of age was safely delivered of a female child. She has Ben for a Husband. The child is called Margaret."

Harriet

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 231, Aug 20, 1851

"Last night between 10 to 2 o’clock Little Mary was safely delivered of a female child. Mother and child doing well. The name is Harriet."

Occupation

Cook

Enslaver

Basil Manly (Second President of the University of Alabama 1837-1855)

Leaser

Mr. Duren

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 185, Dec 31, 1850

"This day Binkey went to stay a year with Mrs. Hill.
Same day, Mary went to Mr. L. D. Duren
She was sent to V. Hart on the 20th January, Duren not liking her. - Hurt takes her at $5.50 a month payable monthly – He pays her taxes, I clothe her."

V. Hart

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 190, Jan 20, 1851

"Mr. Duren, who had hired my woman, Mary, being dissatisfied with her, I have, this morning sent her, with all her things, to V. Hart. Hart is to pay me $5.50 a month. I am to find her and her child Margaret in clothes; Hart is to feed them, and pay their taxes."

Prof. Tuomey

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 192, March 10, 1851

"My woman, Little Mary, went to Prof. Tuomey to be tried to see whether she will suit his family as a cook. - I fear that the issue of all will be that she must be sold. - Left wed. June 4th = 3 months, lacking six days, at $5.50 a month the hire amounts to $15.40."

Violence

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 191, Feb 28, 1851 (possible miscarriage; beaten by Hart)

"Little Mary came home (brought by her mistress) this evening, threatened with miscarriage. Some accounts say that Mrs. Hart had beaten her on the back with a stick: - and that she has to bring all the water the family use for drinking, cooking, washing and all purposes, on her head, up that high hill from the spring below."

Item sets

Enslaved by Manly Family

Enslaved by Presidents, Professors, and Trustees

Site pages

Their Names