Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum celebrates Black History Month

A Charleston “Mechanic” badge worn by an enslaved person

Charleston, South Carolina has a long and complicated history regarding chattel slavery. Although early settlement in the region was slow due to the harsh climate and terrain, the introduction of rice cultivation in the 1690s transformed the economy and led to an increased demand for enslaved African labor. To regulate enslaved people's movement and generate revenue, Charleston passed an ordinance in 1783 requiring enslavers to buy annual badges for their enslaved workers, with fees based on occupation. The badge shown, made in 1819 by John J. Lafar, is number 181 and was issued to a “Mechanic,” a general term referring to a skilled laborer such as a cabinet maker or carpenter. The records of who purchased this badge and which enslaved person it was issued to are not known today, but it remains a tangible connection to one of the worst chapters of American history.