[Slavery-North Carolina]. Southern Slave Related Autograph Letter Signed, "Maria S. Butner." Four-page bifolium, 7.75" x 9.75", Bethania, North Carolina; May 24, 1853. With cancelled postal cover. A very descriptive letter in ink from Butner to her brother Albert Butner in Whiteville, North Carolina, in which she related family news in Bethania and mentions the price of young male slaves: "You want to know the price of negro boys. Father bids one write that they are selling very high, some quite young at $1000 & upward, even elderly negroes sell for eight hundred & more. He would like to buy one, but thinks them too high at present." Maria Susanna Butner (1829-1869) was the daughter of Heinrich ("Henry") Herman Butner (1792-1879) and Johanna Salome Strub (1794-1851) of Bethania, Forsyth county, North Carolina. Her brother, Albert Israel Butner (1827-1914), was principle of a school in Whiteville, Columbus County, North Carolina when this letter was written. Maria married Reverend Maximillian Eugene Grunert (1823-1887) in April 1864 at Salem, North Carolina. Condition: Letter has usual folds, with weakening at intersections; otherwise good. HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved