Cain family papers, 1767-1960; (bulk, 1767-1930).

ArchivalResource

Cain family. Cain family papers, 1767-1960; (bulk, 1767-1930).

Cain family papers, 1767-1960; (bulk, 1767-1930).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/31236600

Chiefly 18th and 19th century land papers, as well as papers from antebellum and Reconstruction periods, including receipts for purchases of African American slaves identified by name, family correspondence, and genealogical notes generated and collected by the family of William Cain (1776-1840) of Sumter District, S.C. Thirteen bills of sale, each listing slaves by name, document purchases, 1812-1836, by William Cain and, in 1841, by his wife, Mary. Cain used a male slave, identified by name, as collateral for a mortgage from Richard and John Ioor Moore, 5 April 1830. An 1825 will of William Bracey, Lawrence County, Miss., indicates the disposition of his lands in South Carolina and of his named slaves. ; Letter, 10 Apr. 1861, Charleston, S.C., John R. Moffett, to R.B. Cain, Manchester, S.C., describing preparations for the attack on Ft. Sumter, "the whole Fleet are destined for this place....The Floating Battery was removed yesterday. I think to the cove of Sullivans Island". Moffet also tells of meeting Senator Wigfall, special aide to General Beauregard, who stood ready, with "Sword in hand." Later materials include freedmen's labor contract, 12 Jan. 1866, between R.B. Cain and freedmen, with the signature mark of eighteen former slaves. The contract stipulates how the freedmen were to live, behave: "to conduct themselves faithfully, honestly, civily, and diligently, to perform all and any labor required of them." In exchange, Cain agreed to "treat his employees, with justice and kindness" and provide them with housing, food, clothing, a garden plot, and access to tools and work animals; and correspondence written during W.O. Cain's tenure in the General Assembly, including letter, 9 Dec. 1886, "Free Tuition got a Black Eye in the Senate." Ida Dwight Cain corresponded with her daughter, Ruth Cain Thomas, sending family and local news, discussing sewing and other household projects at the time when Ruth was teaching in Edgefield, S.C., 1909-1912, and then in Greenwood, S.C., 1925-1926. Visual materials include composite photograph entitled the "Conservative ticket, 1892," promoting the faction running against Gov. Ben Tillman and the Tillmanites; image by Reckling of Columbia, S.C., depicts 8 men identified by last name only, including D.W. Hiott; Greenville lawyer and textile mill president [James Lawrence] Orr [Jr.]: and [John C.] Sheppard; others include Dixon, Humbert, [Evander Roderick?] McIver, Murphy, and Youman. This image was presented to Cain by D.W. Hiott and includes a poem by [Sir Walter] Scott and inscription, "To a True Blue Democrat from one who claims to be of the same faith and order." Illustrated postcards, ca. 1900s-1920s, honor various holidays and depict images of S.C., including old cotton press in Orangeburg, S.C. (20 Oct. 1909); and two views of Sumter: Hampton School for Girls (13 Nov. 1911) and Sumter Telephone Manufacturing Company's Works (23 Nov. 1911).

147 items.

University of South Carolina, System Library Service, University Libraries