SANKOFA'S SLAVERY DATA COLLECTION
Rurill Hill Plantation
Location: Perry Co., AL
Constructed: ----
History: At the time of the 1860 census, Philip owned 2200 acres and 89 slaves, as well as stock in the Alabama-Mississippi Railroad, for a total worth of $175,300. His estates were called "Rurill Hill" (probably named after John Davidson's "Rural Hill" plantation in Mecklenberg Co., N.C.) and "Kings." He may have owned land in other areas of Alabama, perhaps including Choctaw County, as well. Following the end of the Civil War, Philip Pitts retained at least part of his holdings at Rurill Hill, but Kings seems to have disappeared. In 1870, he bought a section of the Lodebo plantation adjoining Rurill Hill. He remained a cotton planter until his death on 22 April 1884.
Associated Surnames: Pitts
Associated Plantations: Kings Plantation (Perry Co., AL), Lodebo Plantation (Perry Co., AL)
Associated Free White Names
Associated Black Slave Names
Agriculture
Description of Associated Architecture
Research Leads
Manuscripts Department Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Souther Historical Collection: #602 Philip Henry Pitts Papers http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/p/Pitts,Philip_Henry
- Series 2. Volume 1: September 1850-February 1853, 103 p. (and typed transcription of Volume 1, 48 pages): Volume 1 is composed of a mixture of Philip H. Pitts's accounts and memoranda as well as diary entries and a number of pasted-in newspaper clippings relating to farm, household, cooking, and medicinal matters.... the purchasing and hiring of slaves from other planters, runaway slaves in the county, and a case of slaves murdering their master...
- Series 2. Volume 2: Accounts, January 1856-1865, pp. 1-105, 295-300: The accounting entries on pages 1-105 and pages 295-300 record Philip H. Pitts's debts and loans: ....doctor's bills for his family and slaves; the purchase of provisions; and the purchase of marriage licenses from a judge ("20 marriage licenses for freedmen + 10 marriage licenses for whites").....
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