Ghosts of a Christmas Past - NYTimes.com
Macon, Ga., Dec. 24, 1860
The city was preparing itself for the holiday. In the pages of the Macon Daily Telegraph, ads touted toys and sweets, books and jewelry, all at bargain prices. In a large front-page ad, the store of H.N. Ells & Co., on Mulberry Street, reminded readers that “Old Santa-Clauz” was coming to town, and urged upon them such last-minute stocking stuffers as apples, figs, candy, and firecrackers.
On the next page of that Christmas Eve newspaper was a more discreet advertisement, this one just five lines of small print:
FOR SALE.
A NEGRO WOMAN 21 years old, and her daughter about six years old. The woman is a good house servant, plain cook, and good washer and Ironer. Warranted sound. Terms cash.
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