Portrait of Ellen Craft.
c. late 1800's. Watercolor, ink and graphite on card stock. Overall great condition. Very rare example. Image with frame is 9" w x 12"h. Provenance: The Acacia Collection and Old Slave Mart Museum. Ellen Craft (1826-1897). Ellen was born in Clinton, GA, the daughter of her white master, Major James Smith by one of his slaves, Maria. Ellen's fair complexion and resemblance to the white family members was troubling to Smith's wife.At the age of eleven, Ellen was given as a wedding present to her mistresses's daughter and Dr. Robert Collins of Macon. Ellen met William Craft, also a slave, and with their owner's permission, were married. In 1848, the two devised a plan that they would escape, disguising Ellen as the white wealthy male Master and William as his slave. In 1850 when Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act the Crafts were particularly vulnerable to capture because of their story. They ran again to England where they lived for 20 years, had five children, learned to read and write and published their memoir, Running a thousand Miles for Freedom. Est. $500-800. Ship: $45