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HIST 100 Beyond the Plantation (Spring 2024)

What is a primary source?

A Primary Source is a historical document or artifact or person from the time period under study. This may include:

diaries
journals
newspapers
contemporary publications
autobiographies
music/songs
recordings or images
Broadsides
Legal documents

Autobiography: "Six Women's Slave narratives"
"Written by six black women, these stories embody most of the predominant themes and narrative forms found in African-American women's autobiographies from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries."
Newspaper article: Daily Nashville patriot. "From Richmond"
Government Document: "Petitions for repeal of fugitive slave act of 1850, and all other acts for rendition of fugitive slaves"
Letter: James Buchanan to J.J. Grindall discussing the Fugitive Slave Act
Broadside: Declaration of sentiments of the colored citizens of Boston, on the fugitive slave bill
Diary: Diary of Susan B. Boomer
Music: From CW "Music Helps Interpret Slavery"