Narrative source: Vance Birthplace NC State Historic Site
On August 10, 1842, Hannah Moore Vance, the youngest child of Mira and David Vance, was born.
Her father died in 1844, and a week after Hannah's second birthday, Mira held an auction of David's property.

Eleven enslaved men, women, and children were included in the auction, and Venus, who was Hannah's nanny, ascended the auction block carrying baby Hannah in her arms.

Venus told the crowd that whoever purchased Venus would take her from the child.
Venus's statement engendered sympathy with the crowd, and Mira Vance was able to bid $1 to purchase Venus back from David's estate.

After the auction, the Vances moved to Asheville, bringing Venus and seven enslaved women and children with them to the new house. Venus continued to raise the Vance children until her death, which occurred sometime between 1844 and 1850.

The story of Venus's experience of the David Vance estate auction comes to us from Robert Brank Vance, Hannah's oldest brother.

We do not know Venus's perspective on this moment in her life, nor do we have Hannah's account of the auction--if she even remembered it later on.

Therefore, we have many questions about this incident.

Did Venus plan to bring Hannah up to the auction block that day, or was it an impulse when the time came?
Did she consult with Mira before carrying Hannah up with her?

Was she frightened when ascending the block? Angry? Resigned?
And, how did Venus feel raising children that were not her own but might someday grow up to own her?

Image:
Left is a Record of David Vance Estate Sale, listing the sale of 12 enslaved men, women, and children, 1844.
Source: State Archives of NC.
Right is a newspaper announcement of David Vance Estate Sale, 1844.
Source: State Archives of NC.