A view of Richmond - April 1865
It’s the time of year when many agents are trying to drum up business for the new year. The following is the lead notice of several that are advertising the hiring out of negroes. I’m guessing, but apparently these agents are like brokers who get a cut if they can find work for the slaves. Perhaps a business model sort of like a consignment shop; or a temporary employment agency – except, of course, that the fruit of the slaves’ labor goes to the masters, not the negroes.
From the Richmond Daily Dispatch December 27, 1861:
Negro Hiring.
Negro Hiring for 1862.
The subscribers have associated themselves together to conduct a
General Agency business.
In the city of Richmond, embracing the Hiring out of Negroes, Renting out Houses, Selling Real and Personal Estate, &c.
Their special attention will be given to Hiring out Negroes; and from the long experience which each have had feel confident that they will be able to procure fair prices and good homes for all negroes entrusted to their care. They solicit a continuance of that liberal patronage heretofore bestowed upon each of them. They have made ample arrangements to have negroes cared for till hired out; and in cases of sickness will give our personal attention.
We earnestly request our friends to send their negroes to us by the 1st of January. Better prices and better homes can be obtained by sending them in early. E. A. J. Clopton,
Ro. B. Lyne
Office corner of Franklin and Wall streets. opposite Dickerson & Hill. up stairs. …
There’s a bit about Edward Andrew Jackson Clopton at RootsWeb in an article that describes Clopton’s actions during the fall of Richmond in April, 1865. You can see a photo of him. There is also a reproduction of his obituary: Clopton lived until 1879; he is described as an ardent Confederate who did not fight, but who had one of his sons mortally wounded during the war; his real estate business is mentioned.
