The American Sharpe

by Gareth Glover

  We are not very quiet here tho’ there is nothing which indicates a very speedy change in the existing order of things, but the principle of disunion is I fear deeply held in the very nature of our institutions. Some of the states have already begun to talk of a separation from the federal union and their motto is ‘Peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must’. That such separation must take place and at no very remote period is what no one can doubt and then will our children’s children (if indeed the consumation be deferred so long) smile at the complacent boast of their forefathers of having set the world an example of liberal institutes, so happily formed as to be exempt from all the inherent principles of decay which have undermined all previous systems. I will not inflict a crossed letter on you24, pray give my best love to my Aunt G[ordon] and write to me when convenient and believe me my dear uncle, yours ever most affectionately J P Gairdner.

  No further letters survive until 1849, when he wrote again to Laura.

  To Miss Gairdner, 17 Hamilton Terrace, St John’s Wood, London.

  Moreland25, 23rd February 1849

  My dear Laura,

  When yours of the 27th December was received a few days ago it was so long since I had heard I was feeling anxious for tidings. The usual fatality seems to have attended our correspondence however, for you mention a former letter written by yourself which never reached me. I was probably saved some suspense an uneasiness as you write that you had then given me such an indifferent account of dear Jane. I rejoice to learn that you are relieved from the fear of all consequences whatever those might be which Dr Blackmore apprehended. Still the account you give of her is sufficiently distressing. Asthma is a visitation which I believe is rarely if ever entirely eradicated. However I am glad to hear that you have good reason to expect that she will be restored to a tolerable degree of health. You tell me that Edward B[lackmore] is in a position to do well and with a friend who acts a kind part by him. I should like to be more particularly informed on that subject. When I remember that it will be thirteen years this coming summer since I last saw you all and Jane’s (then) little flock, it reminds me that her other boys must be fast coming forward.

  You remark that my boys must give me something to think about now that they require to go out into this strange world. It does indeed, many an anxious thought, they are good boys though and there is nothing in their characters or dispositions as far as yet developed to cause uneasiness as to their future course in life. Edwin, the next to be launched is with us here pursuing his studies under my tuition. The two elder boys are as you know in business and live during our absence from Augusta with their Uncle and Aunt Gould. The two eldest girls accompanied their grandmother who went to pass the winter with her daughter Elizabeth, where there is a very good female school. Down here there is a lamentable deficiency of anything of the kind. The rest are with us for we spend the whole of our winters at the plantation, a place in some respects not altogether desirable as it involves the necessity of separation from so many of our children for half the year, but unavoidable for economical considerations. We in this country ought if only on selfish considerations to pray that there might be peace throughout the world and that wars and fighting might cease, for there is no revolutionary outbreak in Europe, no disturbance in Ireland that does not affect us here in purse if not in person. Previous to the revolution in France which sent Louis Philipe26 on his travels everything looked prosperous, here we were anticipating a fair remunerating price for our agricultural produce, but the panic produced in the mercantile world by these events produced disappointment again, and then to mend matters and not be out of fashion we get up a little war of our own to plunder our weaker neighbour Mexico of one third of her territory to pay the expenses27.

  However that matter is settled, you seem to be getting quieter in Europe and we again hope for better times. And by the way, talking of wars reminds me of a matter on which I wished to communicate with Gordon. I saw it stated some time ago in an English newspaper that an act of parliament of some kind has passed for the creation of a number of medals to be issued the officers and soldiers engaged in the Peninsular wars. It stated that a medal was to be granted for every military service, battle, siege etc which is borne on the colours of the regiment or, which is the same thing, which appears at the head of the regiment in the army list. According to this I would be entitled to nine medals for I was present in every action in which the regiment was engaged commencing with Ciudad Rodrigo to the end of the war. Will you ask Gordon to see into the matter for me for I have enough of the old leaven in me to set a value on these things. It is an act of tardy justice to the Peninsular army which ought to have been done when the Waterloo medals were issued upwards of thirty years ago.28

  You say you would be glad to know something of James Moodie and his family. I hear directly from himself nearly as seldom as you do. I have not been at Charleston for five or six years though it is only an eight hours journey by the railroad. In that interval he has been once or twice in Augusta for a day on business connected with his office where we always see him. I hear of him however on enquiring of persons from Charleston more frequently. His family consists of two daughters, Caroline and Blanche now nearly grown up, three sons Adam Gordon, Clarence and Joseph Payne and I think there is a baby but I am not sure. His office is that of clerk in one of the banks with a very good salary and his circumstances are altogether very comfortable. His wife’s health which for three or four years was very bad is I understand nearly re-established.

  We are all well and are expecting a visit from our sister Elizabeth next week29. She is now a widow. The death of her husband Colonel Foster took place last summer and was an event which neither his or her friends could consider in any other light than in happy release to him or to her. He was a helpless paralytic for the last eighteen months of his life. The paralysis too affected his whole frame, he could scarcely cross a room without stumbling, sometimes falling. He was unable to make his wants known either by speaking or writing and yet they say his mental faculties were not impaired, he was moreover perfectly prepared and anxious to die, an incessant reader and his Bible his favourite book; Elizabeth has come to Augusta for a few weeks on business connected with the winding up of his affairs leaving her children and our two girls with her mother. It is six years since I have seen her. Mary30 made her a visit two years ago. She returns home this way. She came to Augusta by one rail road and can return by another which passes ten miles from where I live.

  Our sister Margaret has never recovered from the affliction she sustained in the loss of her eldest child last fall. He was a very lovely boy though his health was never strong and her remaining child a little boy not quite a year old is very delicate. There was an epidemic among children through this section of the country last summer and fall, they called it malignant scarlet fever, its worst symptoms were sore throat accompanied with cough and it proved in many instances fatal. Our little Crawford was, our doctor said, the worst case he saw to recover and when the first symptoms appeared in the little Gould I requested the doctor to see him, he remarked if that child has the prevailing epidemic it will go very hard with him, for he is not one to be easily managed and I attribute your little Crawford’s recovery under God mainly to his perfect docility and the prompt obedience with which he submitted to every remedy. But I must conclude and have left myself brief space. I rejoice to hear that my dear aunt as far bore the winter well.

  Mary desires much love to you all and particularly to be remembered to the Murrays when you write. Remember me also to the Gibbons and any old friends you may meet with though I suppose there are not many now. Do beg Gordon to enquire about those Peninsular medals31 and if the account I read is correct to secure mine and contrive some way of sending them to me. Adieu dear Laura yours ever most affectionately, J. P. Gairdner.

  Chapter 18

  Aftermath

  Mary and James seem to have had nine children in total. James Gordon born 10 July 1828 but died 30 August 1829, jus
t over one year old; Adam Gordon was born 30 October 1831 and died 27 July 1906; Edwin was born 23 June 1833 and died 8 May 1902; Anna McKinne was born 1 May 1835 and died 2 October 1894; Joseph William born 11 May 1837 became a doctor and died 5 May 1860; Mary Gordon was born 14 February 1839 and died 23 July 1907; Henry born 16 July 1841 who became a merchant, cotton buyer and guano manufacturer and enlisted in a company of the 5th Georgia Regiment Volunteers during the Civil War and died 12 October 18971; George Crawford was born 20 January 1843 became a lieutenant in the Confederate Army and was killed at the Battle of Missionary Ridge 25 November 1863; and Harford Montgomery was born 25 March 1847 and died 1 June 1854 aged 7 years.2

  His strong connection to his church is also evident. Indeed in 1847 he is listed as a lay delegate from St. Paul’s Church in Augusta at the 25th Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Georgia.

  James moved to a plantation he bought in Jefferson County, Alabama for twenty years before eventually moving to Augusta. Whilst there, he provided detailed evidence of the treatment of his slaves at his plantation.

  As a historian I never make the mistake of judging people, their circumstances or opinions by modern standards. By the standards of the time, James was quite normal in possessing slaves in the Southern states of America and he seems to have treated them humanely and with great kindness, but this cannot hide the fact that he did not see anything against this, despite the growing campaigns to end the slave trade in America as had already been achieved in the European states and their colonies.

  A book entitled The Slaveholder Abroad, or, Billy Buck’s Visit with His Master, to England, with a clear anti-slavery slant was published in 1860 but which also included a number of replies from estate holders regarding their slaves and their conditions. One such reply was received from James regarding his estate.

  The following letter is from a gentleman of Jefferson County who was formerly in the British Army, served with distinction under Wellington in the Peninsula and in the campaign which terminated at Waterloo, and has received from the Sovereign of Great Britain the usual decorative rewards in such cases, in the shape of medals, clasps, &c.

  Dear Sir,

  I have received from you a paper containing twenty queries with regard to the treatment and condition of slaves. I would remark that I was born in a slaveholding community, which I left in early childhood for Europe, where I was educated and lived some years. I have, however, lived in Georgia for the last thirty years, the last twenty three of which I have been the owner and superintendent of slaves. I now proceed to answer the questions seriatim as far as my knowledge and experience enable me to do.

  1st Answer. [Number of Slaves] Sixty five, of which there are

  Males, grown (i.e. above 16) 19

  Women 21

  Children under ten 17

  Children between 10 and 16 8

  ___

  65

  2nd Food – They receive three pounds of bacon per week. When fresh meat is given, as occasionally in winter and spring, they receive more. One peck of corn-meal per week, besides which, potatoes are given occasionally and as long as they last. A piece of cow-penned land is sown in the fall in turnips, which they are permitted to use ad libitum. They all have gardens, in which they raise cabbage &c. I have offered to increase the allowance of meat, if they wished it, but have always been informed by them that they had enough.

  3rd Clothing – To each of the men and boys, a winter suit of factory plains (without wool), consisting of a sack and pair of pantaloons: a shirt, a hat, and pair of shoes. In the summer, the same, of lighter factory cloth, except the hat and shoes.

  To the women, in winter, of factory plains, a frock and petticoat; a shift, pair of shoes, and head handkerchief. In the summer, the same of summer cloth, except the petticoat. All the above-mentioned clothing is given to them made up. For the young children, their cloth is given to their mothers. Each negro of every age receives a blanket every second year.

  4th. [House Room.] Each family has a house 16 by 20 feet, with a fireplace. This they divide into two rooms. Some of the families have an additional house or room adjoining, in which the larger children sleep.

  5th. [Winter Fuel.] The woods are convenient to the quarters, where they procure whatever fuel they want to use.

  6th. [Medical Attendance.] The same physician that attends my own family. Lying-in women are allowed one month in all cases. If delicate, they are kept in from regular work longer. Sewing and other light work is given to them.

  7th. [Suckling.] All infants are suckled by their mothers, who in almost all cases have a sufficient supply of breast-milk.

  8th. [Milk to Young Children.] The young children are allowed milk generally. There are three old women whose sole business is to take care of the children during their mother’s absence. Also, to attend the sick, receiving their instructions from myself or the overseer.

  9th. [Still born and child losses in 1st, 2nd, 3rd years.] Still born children in the last ten years. Answer one. With respect to the proportion of deaths in the first, second, and third years, I am not able to answer, but believe it to be less than in any white population which I have known. In connection with this subject, I may remark that eleven years after the death of my father, the slaves that I inherited from him had more than doubled.

  10th. [What age put to work.] At about twelve years old, they begin to make themselves useful in the field as water-carriers to the labouring hands; after which, with a light hoe, they are put to work with their parents, and are not tasked.

  11th. Aged and infirm – Six. They have the same food, clothing, &c, that they always have had. As to work, three women attend, as I have said, on the sick and children. Of two old men, one is a carpenter, and does light work of that kind; the other shells corn to send to mill, and attends about the stables. One woman, aged 85, the oldest person on the plantation, does nothing.

  12th. [Hours of Work.] All field hands go out to work at good daylight. The plough-hands come in at 12 o’clock, and stay in two hours. They then return to plough until near dusk. The hoe-hands work by task, which some finish between three and four o’clock.

  13th. [Lunatics.] One idiot, a woman of about 28. Food, clothing &c, the same as the rest. She is able to take care of herself. Can understand everything she is told, and is perfectly harmless.

  14th. [No. of negroes charged with serious crime against the person in last ten years.] I have not known among my negroes of any instances of the crimes stated in this question.

  15th. [No. of negroes charged with theft in last ten years.] No such cases have occurred.

  16th. If so, how many were women. None.

  17th. Petty thefts among themselves. I do not often hear complaints of such things.

  18th. Suicide. I have never had such a case, nor have I ever heard of one. I have stated that I have lived in a slaveholding community the last thirty years, twenty-seven years as owner and manager of slaves.

  19th. [Religious Opportunities] They have free access to all opportunities of religious worship in the neighbourhood, with occasional meetings for that purpose on the plantation. Many of them are members of the Baptist, and some of the Methodist Church.

  20th. Separation of families by sale. I never have either by sale or purchase. The practise in the county, I believe, is never to separate husband and wife, or young children (viz. under 12 years of age) from their parents.

  I am not aware that it is in my power to furnish you with any further information on the subject of your inquiries. Dear Sir, yours respectfully, J.P. Gairdner.

  In 1861 he is recorded in his tax return as still owning twenty-two slaves whose value was assessed at $13,200, he owned $5,000 in cash, furniture worth $2,000 and the sum total of all his property was $17,750.3

  The Augusta city directory for 1862 lists a Major [?] Gairdner who had an office and house on the corner of Bay4 and Lincoln in Augusta.

  James died suddenly at Augusta on 21 April 1862 aged 69 years. H
e was buried at Summerville Cemetery, Augusta, Richmond, Georgia, where his wife and most of his children were also eventually buried.

  References and Notes

  Chapter 1: The Gairdner Family

  1. It is recorded that in 1802 James Gairdner was treasurer of the South Carolina Golf Club; reference the article Scottish Merchants and Aiken’s Ladies: Golf’s Evolution in South Carolina, by Dr Faye Jensen.

  2. James Gairdner was born in Edinburgh in 1761 and died at Charleston on 24 August 1830; reference Summerville Cemetery Records.

  3. Gordon Gairdner had been joint owner of a number of ships with his brother James, including Thetis (1797), Harmony (1799) and Nymph, which were captured by French privateers. He also claimed for goods shipped on the Leeds packet ship. All these insurance claims were for nearly £5,000 each; reference The French Assault on American shipping, 1793-1813 by Greg Williams.

  4. For further details on this complicated and unique case, see Reports of Cases Argued and determined in the Court of Chancery of the State of South Carolina from the Revolution to December 1813 volume 3, pages 498-513, published by Henry Williams of Desaussure 1817.

  5. Caroline Gordon, Mary Gordon’s sister, married James Moodie British Consul in Charleston.

  6. Mary’s sister Jane actually married James’ brother Edwin.

  7. Reference Burial records of Circular Congregational Church Burying ground, Charleston.