The Terrell letters are held by University of Virginia Special Collections in two collections: Accession #10460 (26 items) and Accession #10460-a (23 items).

Detailed descriptions of the letters can be found in the following:

EAD Guide to the Letters from the former slaves of Terrell settled in Liberia, 1857-1866.

The first collection of letters, written chiefly to Terrell's executor and nephew Dr. James Minor, discuss settling at Clay Ashland, Monrovia, and Careysburg, illnesses and deaths, crops, home building, and new immigrants. Almost all request supplies and send regards to family members left behind. There are references to Saunders A. Campian and John Seys of the American Colonization Society, and James H. Hall, a founder and agent of Maryland. Conflict with native tribes is briefly mentioned.There is also a letter from a government official to Dr. Minor explaining shipping procedures for supplies. A few of the letters are addressed to other Albemarle County residents including Howell Lewis and W. Slaughter. An introductory essay, a transcript of Terrell's 1854 will, and transcripts of the letters are included. William Douglass, Hugh Walker, and George Walker are the chief Liberian correspondents.

The second set of letters, chiefly written from William Douglass to Terrell's executor and nephew, Dr. James Minor, describe life in Careysburg and Monrovia, Liberia, request supplies, and inquire after family and friends in Virginia. Saunders A. Campion and the Rev. John Seys of the American Colonization Society are mentioned. There is also a letter from Ralph Randolph Gurley of the American Colonization Society regarding supplies and immigration legislation. Recipients besides Dr. Minor are Mary Minor, Elizabeth Minor, Frank Nelson, Howell Lewis, and Elizabeth Lewis. Transcriptions of the letters by Richard P. Minor are included. The collection also contains two leaves from an old Louisa and Goochland County register.

The departure of the emigrants and a report of their status in Liberia is noted in the Diary of Louisa H. A. Minor [manuscript], 1855-1866, also held by the UVa Department of Special Collections (MSS 10685). A detailed description of the diary can be found in the EAD Guide.

1857, February 4: Mary Michie to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, February 5: William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, February 6: William Douglass, Hugh Walker, and Samuel Carr to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, March 3: Young Barrett, Maria Barrett, and Isabella Johnson to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, March 4: Hugh Walker to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, March 5: Saunders A. Campion for George Walker, et al to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, March 8: William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor and Frank Nelson

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1857, April 24: William Douglass to Reverend W. Slaughter

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1857, August 19: William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor

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1857, November 4: Ralph Randolph Gurley to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 8: Tibby Scott to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 21: Judy Harden to Mr. Howell Lewis

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1858, January 21: Mary Scott to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 27: George Walker to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 27: Henry and Milly Franklin to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Charles Twine to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Washington Michie to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Martin Coleman to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Richard Barrett to Elizabeth Lewis

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1858, January 28: David Scott to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Mariah Barrett to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: William Douglass to his aunt

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1858, January 28: Washington Coleman to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 28: Lucy Twine to [Dr. James H. Minor]

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1858, January 29: Tarins Walker and Hugh Walker to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, January 29: Mildred Carr to Dr. James H. Minor

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1858, February 27: Judy Harden to Howell Lewis, Dr. James H. Minor, and Frank Nelson

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1858, December: Mary Scott to Elizabeth Minor

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1859, January 26: William Douglass to Dr. James Minor

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1859, February 17: Henry Franklin to Dr. James H. Minor

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1859, February 17: Adaline Southall to Dr. James H. Minor

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1859, August 23: Margaret, Martin, Alan, and Washington Coleman to Dr. James H. Minor

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1859, August 23: Wilson Coleman to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 19: Margaret Coleman to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 19: Adeline Southall to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 19: Charles Twine to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 19: Tibby and Mary Scott to Dr. James H. Minor and Elizabeth Minor

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1860, January 20: Hugh Walker to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 20: Julia Harden to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, January 20: Maria Barrett to Dr. James H. Minor

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1860, February 15: J. H. Paxton to Dr. James H. Minor

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1861, February 22: William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor

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1865, August 15: William Douglass to Dr. James H. Minor

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1866, January 29: William Douglass to a friend

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