Annie Davis

In Pamela Newkirk's Letters From Black America, she states:

"An enslaved woman [Annie Davis] who hoped to reunite with her family wrote this letter to President Lincoln to ask if African Americans had in fact been emancipated a year after he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The historic presidential proclamation freed all enslaved African Americans except those in states that were in rebellion and in four Southern states captured by the Union. It was not until 1865 that the Thirteenth Amendment officially abolished slavery in the United States."

Print This Page

About

In 1864, slave Annie Davis wrote the following letter to President Abraham Lincoln:

Belair [Maryland] Aug 25th 1864

Mr president

It is my Desire to be free. to go to see my people on the eastern
shore. my mistress wont let me you will please let me know if we are
free. and what i can do. I write to you for advice. please send me
word this week. or as soon as possible and oblidge.

Related Information

Songs

Books

Support us and help us grow

Dear friends, Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive online archive of American song. Your gift is greatly appreciated.