The History of Enslaved People at UA, 1828-1865

Ben

Item

Name

Ben

Age

13 years old when he arrives at UA in 1842

Birth Date

c. 1829

Sex

Male

Freedom Status

Enslaved

Living Location

President's Mansion, University of Alabama

Richmond, Virginia

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 287, Oct 14, 1852 (Ben and Mary sent to Richmond VA to Basil Jr.)

"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

Mary

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"

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."

Work Location

With Prof. Tuomey on his surveying trips

Basil Manly Diary III (1843-1848) image 184, Oct 23, 1847

"Prof Tuomey departed on his exploring Tour on Saturday 23rd Inst.
He had my servt Ben with him from the Monday before, 15th Inst."

Basil Manly Diary III (1843-1848) image 192, late 1847

"Tuomey reached home from his exploring tour the day after I did; viz, Sunday 26th Dec. I had let him have my boy Ben on his tour. Ben was employed nearly one day in oiling and fixing his harness. Tuomey’s stable, not being done, he sent his horses to my house. I kept them until [sentence ends here]"

Enslaver

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

Basil Manly Diary II (1834-1846) image 277, Jan 11, 1842

"I find that my good old Father Randulph has sent me 5 servants, old & young – viz – Jack 51 years old, Molly 49, Lydia 21, Ben 13, & Hetty, child of Lydia, born Nov 10th 1840. These servants are a part of my wife’s portion of his estate."

Leaser

Prof. Tuomey, 1847

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 38, Oct 19, 1847

"This morning, my boy Ben, with the two horses bought for Mr. Tuomey, went into Mr. Tuomey’s service. If he likes the boy, he is take him on his expedition till Xtmas - at the rate of $9.00 a month. He has found it impossible to procure a servant that will answer, even as low as $10 a month. Some asked $15.00 Mr. Tuomey returned, Sunday Dec 28th at night"

Prof. Barnard, 1850

Basil Manly Diary V (1847-1857) image 80, Jan 1, 1849

"I have hired my boy, Ben, to Prof. Barnard for $100 this year. Barnard took Lydia, and kept her for a fortnight – not suiting him, he discharged her. He was to have her for $50."

Violence

Basil Manly Blue Book (1842-1843) image 33, July 3, 1843 (beaten by students)

"Smith, Fitzpatrick, J. M. Foster, & Saunders found making disorder near dwellings of officers & racing & beating negroes. One of them was my boy, Ben; called before us, & considered the affair very slight.
Smith was suspended indefinitely.
The others until the first of October – July 3 1843."

Item sets

Enslaved by Manly Family

Enslaved by Presidents, Professors, and Trustees

Site pages

Their Names