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Furman's Legacy of Slavery: A Digital Exhibition: Jackson Letters
The actions of our university's founders with regards to enslaving were en par with the those of other southern institutions of the time. Most of these institutions were built by humans held in bondage or plantation wealth. The humanity and historicity that was taken away from individuals like Jackson must be acknowledged, otherwise, it would be an injustice to those who sacrificed so much under the institution of slavery and to those who are still institutionally marginalized.
Dictated to a Confederate army soldier named H. Mobley, this letter from Jackson, an enslaved man, to his owner speaks to the disruption of the traditional plantation economy in South Carolina during the war. Jackson and several other enslaved men from Furman’s Sumter County plantation and its environs were requisitioned by the Confederate States Army to work in coastal South Carolina building defenses for several months in 1863 and again in 1864. Mobley here adds a note stating his willingness to convey messages sent to the camp on Jackson’s behalf. Note: Below, you will see a literal transcription of Jackson's letter.
James Island
Aug. 26, 1863
Dr. J. Furman
Dear Sir
Your boy Jackson came to our camp this evening and requested me to
drop you a few lines for the satisfaction of the boy And also to inform
you how your boys are getting along. I will now state what Jackson
wishes to say. Jackson says he is a cook for the boys, Antey, Ned, and
Renty. Antey is now sick infact all the boys have been sick but they are
now better. Jackson says he would thank you very much if you would
contrive some way for them to get home, or if you intend for them to
stay on another month please to send him word. Jackson says please tell
his Dear Wife & children howdy for him and say to them that he is well
at this time and we all long to get home and all the boys are worked
down.
Your boy,
Jackson
Jackson sends howdy to his master & mistress and all the family.
Dr. Furman
Dear Sir
If you wish to send any word to your boys I will attend to it as the boys
are near our camp. Address me at Charleston S.C. care of Love &
Weinges,
H. Mobley
Jackson to John Howard Furman August 26, 1863
Jackson to John Howard Furman, 24 October, 1864
Acquired with assistance from the History Department and the Libraries’ Administration
A second letter from Jackson to his owner more than one year later, this one written in his own voice, and providing his owner an update on his and his fellows’ condition. John Howard Furman was the son of Samuel Furman, Richard Furman’s second son. John inherited Cornhill, Samuel’s plantation in Sumter County, and was himself a physician. The Cornhill Plantation record book is held by the Duke University Library, and sources such as Jacob Stroyer’s slave narrative describe the experience of being requisitioned labor for the CSA during the war years. We would encourage more research into Jackson’s life and his place at Cornhill, before the war and afterward.