Cash paid "2 Negroes for Working at Observatory," 1844

Cash paid "2 Negroes for Working at Observatory," 1844

Labor, Georgetown College, Jesuits-History, Jesuits-History-19th century, Observatory

Recorded in the May 1844 expense account for the college is a payment made for $8.00 to two "Negroes for working at observatory." The payment, made on May 4, does not clarify work done, the gender, or status of the African Americans-- if they were free or enslaved, whether they were hired, or from whom.

The building of Georgetown's observatory started in 1843, under the auspices of James Ryder, SJ, President of the College and a prominent defender of slavery. 

Georgetown University Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

May 4, 1844

Julia Bernier, Elsa Barraza Mendoza

Georgetown University Library

PDF

English

Financial Records

GSA218

                                    May 1844

               _________  Expense   Account  __________

1844

 

      1  Cash Pd: Post office Bill for April                               31 72

      “     “   ‘ Pd: P. Maguire wages in full + discharged        6 50

      “     “    ‘Pd: M^rs  Kellenfruger ___ alms                            1 00

      “     “    ‘Pd: Hack hire- F Fenwick                                 2 00

     “      “    ‘Pd: Tho^s Bojur Market Bill for April                  82 16

     “      “    ‘Pd: F Ryder Exp: To + from Bal^t                         10 00

     3      “    ‘Pd: B^r Marshall for Bindery                                3  00

     “      “    ‘Pd: Students per F Mulledy                                9  28

     “      “    ‘Pd: James Conway on acc^t of Stone Wall       50  00

     4     “     ‘Pd: 2 Negroes for working at observatory      8  00

Expense account