Student's Guide to Resources: Sawers | From Freedom's Shadow / African Americans and the U.S. Capitol

United States Capitol Historical Society

Interestingly, evidence of the use of the British monetary system of pounds, shilling, and pence to calculate the pay for laborers can be found in several documents related to constructing the Capitol. Note the “signatures” at the left of the enslaved men’s names. It was unlawful to teach an enslaved person how to read or write.

Transcription:

“Sawers Work done at the Capitol in August [1795]
Rec’d September 1795 of C Richmond as below
Witness our hands S

Negro Ben……..21 days at 1/…….£ 1 1
{Alick…….21 Do……..1/…….. 1 1
{William…21 Do……..1/…….. 1 1
{Thomas…21 Do……..1/…….. 1 1 0
{William…13 Do……..1/……… 0 13 0
{James……13 Do……..1/……… 0 13 0
£ 5..10

August 31st 95 (illegible) Purcell”

Back To — Student’s Guide to Documents

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