Richard Corbin Describes How to Become a Successful Planter, 1759
Richard Corbin (c. 1708–1790) owned tobacco plantations in King and Queen County, Virginia, and served as a burgess and receiver general of Virginia. Here he writes to his new manager, James Semple, describing his duties as well as the work of overseers and slaves. Corbin describes the crucial processes in preparing cut leaves for market—“striking” them down from the rafters where they are hung to cure; “stripping” the leaves from the stalk; and “stemming,” or rolling, individual leaves, which are then “prized” or packed in a hogshead.
As it will be Necessary to . . . Suggest to you my Thoughts upon the business you have undertaken, I shall endeavor to be particular and Circumstanial. . . .
Observe a prudent and a Watchful Conduct over the Overseers that they attend their business with diligence; keep the Negroes in good order and enforce obedience by the Example of their own Industry, wch [which] is a more effectual method in every respect . . . than Hurry and Severity; the ways of Industry are constant and regular, not to be in a hurry at one time and do nothing at another, but to be always Usefully and Steadily employed. . . .
Take an Exact account of all the Negroes & Stocks [animals] at each Plantation and send to me; & tho[ugh] once a year may be sufficient to take this acct, yet it will be advisable to see them once a Month at least, as such an Inspection will fix more closely the overseers attention to these points.
As complaints have been made by the Negroes in respect to their provision of corn, I must desire you to put that matter under such a Regulation, as your own Prudence will dictate. . . . The allowance to be sure is Plentiful and they ought to have their Belly full but care must be taken with this Plenty that no Waiste [waste] is Committed. . . .
Tob[acc]o h[ogs]h[ea]ds [large casks] should always be provided the 1st Week in Sept; every morning of that month is fit for Striking & Stripping; every morning therefore of this month, they should Strike as much Tob[acc]o as they can strip whilst the Dew is upon the Ground and what they Strip in the morning must be Stem’d in the Evening; this method constantly practiced, the Tobacco will be prised before Christmas, Weigh well, and at least one hhd in Ten gained by finishing the Tob[acc]o thus early.
Source: Richard Corbin to Mr. James Semple, January 1, 1759, Richard Corbin Letterbook, Manuscript DMS 1971.5, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
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