Letter to Reverend David Selden from his son David Selden
date: label: Date
content: March 5, 1808
name: label: Received by
content: Rev. David Selden, American, 1761 - 1825
label: Written by
content: David Selden, American, born 1785
notes: label: Description
content: This letter was written from Charleston, South Carolina, on March 5, 1808, by David Selden to his parents in Chatham, Connecticut. Selden lists several cities he has recently traveled to including New York and Philadelphia, with future destinations including Georgetown and Georgia. After describing the weather and spring blossoms of Charleston, Selden writes, "I cannot but reflect on the awfull sight to be seen at a place called Gadsdens wharf of about four thousand poor africans naked/in a manner/ and lousy[.] The most distressing sight I ever beheld offered for sale every day at Auction to him who will give the most." The letter is posted specifically to his father Reverend David Selden of Chatham, Connecticut, but the salutation reads "Dear parents".
label: Transcription Center Status
content: Transcribed by digital volunteers
place: label: Place made
content: Charleston, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
label: Place used
content: Chatham, East Hampton, Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States, North and Central America
topic: label: Topic
content: African American
label: Topic
content: Africa
label: Topic
content: American South
label: Topic
content: Commerce
label: Topic
content: Correspondence
label: Topic
content: Middle Passage
label: Topic
content: Slavery
label: Topic
content: Trans Atlantic slave trade
label: Topic
content: U.S. History, 1783-1815
label: Topic
content: Urban life
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
label: Classification
content: Slavery and Freedom Objects
label: Classification
content: Documents and Manuscripts
label: Exhibition
content: Slavery and Freedom
label: On View
content: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of African American History and Culture
identifier: label: Object number
content: 2014.174.2
objectType: label: Type
content: letters (correspondence)
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: No Known Copyright Restrictions
label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
physicalDescription: label: Medium
content: ink on paper
label: Dimensions
content: H x W (folded): 9 15/16 × 7 7/8 in. (25.2 × 20 cm)
label: Dimensions
content: H x W (unfolded): 9 15/16 × 15 5/8 in. (25.2 × 39.7 cm)