Slave Tag

Early 19th century

These copper badges were issued to slave owners who leased out their skilled slaves for work or who sent their slaves in and out of Charleston. The slave was required to wear the badge during the time of service. Failure to do so would result in the arrest of the slave and a fine for his owner.

The tags were made in three shapes, round, square and diamond. They were labeled with the name of the city, the year of issue and the trade of the slave. Unfortunately, the slave tag in the Drayton Hall Museum Collection is extremely worn and evidence of its original inscription is no longer legible.