Levy Jacobs

     
          Levy Jacobs was a New Orleans and Mobile liquor and slave dealer who advertised to "buy and sell Negroes" in 1819. In September of 1828, he notified the public that he was expecting about 100 prime, Virginia slaves, selected expressly for this market - among which are Ostlers, Carriage Drivers, Mechanics, Field Hands and Cooks, House Servants, seamstresses and washer women.

     As proprietor of one of the leading auctioneer houses of New Orleans, Levy was reported to have "paraded blacks on the slave block that was operated by Levy Jacobs and his Christian partner, George Asbridge." When he was accused of selling Kentucky slaves and not the advertised Virginia slaves he posted this notice:

     Notice - A report being circulated that I have for sale no other than Kentucky slaves, I beg leave to state to the public that all the Negroes which I have on hand, and shall hereafter keep for sale are and will be Virginia born Negroes, of good character; that the person who has stated to the contrary, with the view of injuring me, I call upon in this public manner to come forward and support this charge if he can, or hereafter hold his peace. All Negroes sold and bought by me from traders (excepting at my own house) will be free of commission.     L. Jacobs.¹