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Figure 1

Citation

Myron H. Kimball (New York). “Emancipated Slaves.” 1863. New York Historical Society Collection. Mirror of Race, 11 Feb. 2021, mirrorofrace.bc.edu/items/show/140. Accessed 18 May 2024.

Title

Emancipated Slaves

Subject

Emancipated Slaves

Creator

Myron H. Kimball (New York)

Date

1863

Type

Studio Portrait

Identifier

Figure 1

Rights Holder

New York Historical Society Collection

Original Format

albumen print

Factual Commentary

This larger format photograph is the only known portrait of the entire New Orleans group, including three adults (Wilson Chinn, Mary Johnson, and Robert Whitehead) and five children (Charles Taylor, Augusta Broujey, Isaac White, Rebecca Huger, and Rosina Downs). Note that the negative has been retouched to emphasize the initials “VBM” that Chinn’s former owner, Volsey B. Marmillion branded onto his forehead. This image also tells us that Colonel George H. Hanks brought the group north for its tour and that the children come from the free schools established by General Banks for the education of emancipated slaves.Each member of this group is described in a story of January 30, 1864 in <i>Harper’s Weekly. For an analysis and bibliography, see the essay on ”White Slaves” by Celia Caust-Ellenbogen.