A friend of mine inherited an archive of some 76 letters written by her ancestor, Hopkins Nowlin, who was a slave trader. Born in Pittsylvania County, he eventually moved to Franklin County, VA where he became involved in several business ventures. The most profitable of these was as a slave trader in partnership with his brother, Matthew Bates Nowlin. Hopkins traded throughout Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama (especially Montgomery), sending short, chatty letters detailing his progress to his brother Matthew in Campbell County. These letters, which date from 1837 to 1855, paint an amazing picture of what it was like to be on the road with a slave coffle. While mesmerizing, they are horrifying in how nonchalant they are, commenting on his "good health" and asking after his brother's family in one line and decribing the sale of a woman and three children in the next; bragging that they were making "20-23 miles" a day. A few of the slaves were taken "on consignment," but most were purchased outright by Hopkins (with Matthew's financial backing) and then resold. The partnership continued until Matthew Bates Nowlin's death in 1856; Hopkins died the following year. Last year the letters were transcribed by my friend and two other descendants of Matthew Bates and Hopkins Nowlin, and the originals were given to the VA Historical Society. The transcriptions are being kept privately within the family; I argued mightily with my friend to publish them, but to no avail. I hope the originals will someday be available to researchers at the VHS, but I have no idea what the timetable for that may be. Knowing my interest, my friend kindly gave me a copy of the transcription -- re Nancy's request that started this thread I searched for the name Brown and found reference to a J. or I. S. Brown from whom Hopkins purchased at least one slave girl; I believe, however, that this Brown was in Franklin County. Paul and Quan are correct, slave trading was a business conducted like any other. For research purposes one must keep an open mind and remain emotionally detached; still, sometimes it's hard, even for an old researcher like me. "Henry Courthouse. June 24, 1845 Brother Matthew . . . I have made a start for the South. I have started with 10 Negroes. I sold old Fanny to Mr. Bragles for $162.50 and swapped Lucinda and her two youngest children to Lew Powell for a young woman and got $175 to boot and I sold the girl I brought from the south to William Powell for $550. . . . I left Lucinda's 2 oldest children at home and Morris Jackson wrote to me and offers me $450 cash or $500 on time [for them]. . . . I left all well as I hope this will find you and family. I am yours Hopkins Nowlin" Kathy Liston Charlotte County, VA To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html