Nicholas Bryar Massenburg, planter of Franklin County, N.C., owned Woodleaf and Egypt plantations. Massenburg married Lucy Henry Davis in December 1831 and they had nine children who lived to maturity, among them, Lucy Cargill Massenburg. The Massenburg daybook covers the years 1852-1861. The daily entries deal primarily with agricultural and weather conditions, and progress reports. Social and personal activities are also noted (marriages, deaths, illnesses, meetings, church sermons, etc.). Sales of land, equipment, and slaves are sometimes noted, as well as prices. There are numerous monthly summaries, and a yearly list of all slaves and overseers at Massenburg’s farms at Woodleaf (bought in 1830) and Egypt. A list of slaves and their ages is at the end of the book. Notations from February 2, 1855 through April 17, 1855 were made by another person as Massenburg was ill with pneumonia.

To view the finding aid please visit: http://archives.library.rice.edu/repositories/2/resources/323

Permission to publish from the Nicholas Bryar Massenburg daybook must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Rice University (woodson@rice.edu).