Civil War - Emancipated Slave Children

Emancipated slave children of New Orleans, original, nineteenth century carte-de-visite (CDV) photograph produced by Charles Paxton of New York, 1864.

The children portrayed in this photo were "Charley, Rebecca and Rosa," posed with an older freed slave named Wilson Chinn. 

Chinn is seated in a chair holding book with Charles Taylor standing to his right and Rebecca Huger and Rosa Downs, seated, reading books; additional title beneath photograph: "Learning Is Wealth." Notice on the reverse reads: "The nett proceeds from the sale of these Photographs will be devoted exclusively to the education of colored people in the Department of the Gulf, now under the command of Maj. Gen. Banks."

Photographs such as this were sold to raise money for the education of freed slaves in New Orleans. The photo is notable as it shows the issue of slavery was not merely an issue of color. If a child's mother was a slave, then he or she was as well, as is the case in the photo.  It was thought that using children of fairer complexions in the photos would raise more money.

The photograph measures approximately 2.5 x 4 inches in size and is in very good condition with only slight, expected signs of aging including minor creasing.