Creator: Nevitt, John, fl. 1803-1832.
Collection number: 543
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Abstract: John Nevitt was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and owner of Clermont Plantation near Natchez in Adams County, Miss. The collection is the diary, 1826-1832, of John Nevitt, recording work on Clermont, his Adams County, Miss., plantation, including the planting, picking, ginning, and pressing of cotton, the duties and health of slaves, and the occurances of runaways and their punishment when they returned or were captured. In addition, Nevitt apparently used the journal as an account book for his financial transactions, including the payment of his gambling debts. There is also occasional mention of family and personal activities.
Repository: Southern Historical Collection
Collection Highlights: Entries largely deal with plantation activities and contain daily mentions of slaves; including their duties, health, escapes, punishments, sales, and hirings (1826-1832). The collection suggests frequent escapes among the slaves, but consistent captures and returns. Typed transcriptions also available.