As I was looking at this ad, I noticed it was almost the same as the other ad’s and topics when I read the description provided. I was very intrigued by the fact the siblings reunited for so long. William Davis’ sister was bought by a wealthy woman. Later on the woman who bought Mary died, since she had no family to inherit all her wealth Mary was the one who inherited everything she left. I question as to why the white woman would buy Mary or anyyone as someone to serve her becaus slavery has been abolished. Mary lost her privileges when she was bought, though I question why did Mary inherit $150,000 from the wealthy white woman. But I’m glad Mary was able to inherit after years of her life taken away from her to become a servant.
The ad was created in 1897, leaning towards the end of the 19th century. The United States entered modern industrialization. Going back to 1857 when William Davis and his sister were separated, their owner died. Due to their master having so many debts they were sold and had to be separated. That period of time, there was a conflict between a new type of capitalism in the north and the slave - owners in the southern plantations were rapidly increasing as the day went on and their owner was one of the victims. As the war ended, William got his freedom and began his own business. https://maryklann.wixsite.com/hist110/post/module-2-emancipation-and-reconstruction William then ran his business while Mary was working as a servant though she received a big fortune from the wealthy white woman who bought her.
After seeing the ad and reading the description, the siblings' lives shifted into two different paths. William Davis’s life went from being a slave to owning his own business and as for Mary she was bought by a wealthy woman to become a servant and as her servant died she inherited a big amount of money. Mary may have gotten her privileges taken away but at the end I think she deserves the money that was given to her though no one should ever have to be a servant/ slave.
Question for this discussion: If you were William and your business flourished before you found your sister Mary, would you try to look for her or buy her off? Another question is if you were in Mary’s position would you want to have your own freedom or become a servant?
AD: http://informationwanted.org/items/show/2322
Hi Erica! I have enjoyed reading a few different analyses of this particular article because it is such an interesting story. I especially like your question about William at the end. I wish we knew more of the story about the two of them and their relationship. Once William built up his business, did he ever try to find Mary? And what did he think of this sudden inheritance?