In the year 1830, the state of North Carolina adopted into law the act to prevent all persons from
teaching slaves to read or write. The teaching of slaves to read or write, has a tendency to excite dis-
satisfaction in the minds of slaves, and will produce insurrection and rebellion, to the manifest injury
of citizens of this state of North Carolina. Any free person, who shall hereafter teach, or attempt to
teach, any slave within the state to read or write or give or sell to such slave any books or pamphlets,
shall be liable to indictment in any court of record in this State of North Carolina. And the slave shall
be imprisoned; and or whipped at the discretion of the court, not exceeding 39 lashes and not less
than 20 lashes.
Act Passed by the General Assembly of North Carolina at the Session of 1830 (Raleigh:1830).
Despite the racism of North Carolina and other united states in America, slaves did learn to read and
write. Even though many slaves were not literate they would sign documents using a scribed X in
lieu of a signature. The courts permitted this as long as the X-mark was witnessed.
The individual signatures enclosed in this unique presentation is not a critique of their penmanship.
On the contrary, our intention is only to show a individuals style of handwriting their name. Iconic
as these African-Americans are, their signatures reveal a vibrant brand attached to their personality. Inspired by my grand children, they I remember how proud they were to show me how they could write their name,
this book was created. And like a fingerprint their signature is their only.