Images(3)

Slave Badge for a SERVANT

Date1823

Artist/Maker John Joseph Lafar (1781-1849)

OriginAmerica, South Carolina, Charleston

MediumCopper

DimensionsHeight: 2 3/4" Sides: 2 1/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1990-226

DescriptionIrregular slightly domed lozange-shaped piece of copper with clipped corners and punched hole at top, marked *CHARLESTON*/No 1419/SERVANT/1823/I·I·LAFAR." All marks except "1419" are raised; "1419" is incuse.
Label TextBefore the Civil War it was common for enslavers to rent their slaves out for tasks ranging from manual labor to skilled trades. While the owner kept the lion’s share of the proceeds, their enslaved worker was usually allowed a small percentage. In nineteenth century Charleston, the process was regulated, and each slave-for-hire was issued a copper badge listing his or her registration number, their general occupation, and the year the license was good for. Rented or leased slaves undertook a wide variety of work, from housekeeping to skilled trades such as blacksmithing.

Made by J.J. Lafar, this example would have been worn at all times by a now-anonymous enslaved SERVANT in 1823, a year that more than 1260 badges were issued. Since newspapers ads of the period mention these numbered badges as the identifying marker of runaway, they were often discarded by fleeing slaves. A rented slave caught without their badge was subject to arrest, and his or her owner could be fined.

The 1823 badge shown here is remarkable due to its relative rarity. That year far fewer enslaved workers than the previous year were issued a badge due to the infamous Denmark Vesey slave rebellion of 1822. This one was recovered in the late 20th century at a construction site on Meeting Street in Charleston.
MarkingsStamped on face of badge: "*CHARLESTON*/No 1419/SERVANT/1823/I·I·LAFAR"
ProvenanceThis badge was found in about 1980 on Meeting Street in Charleston, after the demolition of a row of late eighteenth to mid-nineteenth century buildings. The structures had been demolished and the ground cleared, but as it was not yet paved over, the badge was found lying on top of the ground.

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