The letter represents an aged African American woman's determination to locate before she died surviving members of her family from whom she had long been separated. It provides poignant evidence of the tragic and lingering consequences of slavery on the individual.
Starkville, MS
January 31, 1892
Mr. William Peacock
Shelbyville, Tenn
Dear Sirs or Friends
I am trying to find my mother and father. My father's name was named Prince and my mother's name was Rose. They both belong to above Peacock. They had four children when I was sold. Their names Peggie, Isaac, John, and George and I had two half sisters belonging to old Thomas Peacock.
I was sold to James Wortham in KY where I lived 3 years then he sold me to Jack Tucker and then was sold to Evan Davis in this state.
Any information given if any or the where abouts of them will be thankfully received. Let me know if they are dead or alive.
My name was Peggie one of the children of Prince and Rose.
Yours inquiring,
Peggie Kelly, now
Peggie Peacock