Mat Bransford Enslaved African American Black Man Mammoth Caves Guide Stereoview

STEREOVIEW with text on the back: MAMMOTH CAVE VIEWS. 6 MOUTH OF THE CAVE.

This view introduces three well known guides. The one on the right is old'Mat,' a colored man who has acted in the capacity of guide for the last thirty years. The rest of the backmark is covered by a sticker: JAMES CREMER, PUBLISHER OF STEROSCOPIC VIEWS, 18 South Eighth St. STEREOSCOPES AND VIEWS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL.

The text that the sticker covers up is: PUBLISHED BY E. AMERICAN AND FOREIGN STEREOSCOPIC EMPORIUM, 501 BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. On the front, along the bottom: Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by PROCTOR & O'SHAUGHNESSY, in the Clerk's Office of the Dist. On the front, at left side of mount: MAGNESIUM LIGHT VIEWS. " On the front, at right side of mount: "IN MAMMOTH CAVE.

Approximately 3 3/8 x 6 7/8 inches. Left side: Faded at lower left. A few marks in the dark area.

Right side: Faded at lower left. 2 dark spots with tiny white spots in them and 2 light brown spots in the dark area. Mount: Wear at corners, including a crease at lower left. Some soiling on front and back. Rich tones and strong contrast, except at lower left of each side.

Very good depth of field. Materson (Mat) Bransford was born in 1815 to an enslaved woman and her enslaver, Thomas Bransford. As a result, Mat was biracial, but that did not change his birth status as a slave.

In 1838 Thomas Bransford leased Mat to his business partner, Franklin Gorin, who owned and managed Mammoth Cave. Mat soon began leading tours to white tourists alongside other enslaved guides such as Stephen Bishop, Nick Bransford, and Alfred Croghan. After Thomas Bransford died in 1849, Mat was kept enslaved by his half-brother, Thomas Bransford Jr. Who continued to lease him to the Mammoth Cave Estate. While at Mammoth Cave, Mat married an enslaved woman named Parthena, who lived on a farm located two miles from the cave.

Mat built a home for himself, Parthena, and their children, and gained a positive reputation in the community. Mat's reputation and value as a cave guide could not entirely protect him or his family, though.

Under slavery, children were considered property of the enslaver, not of the mother or father. They knew they were likely never going to see their children again. During Mat's time, visitors to Mammoth Cave included people from all over the world with differing views on the institution of slavery.

In the early 1860's Mat guided abolitionist, John Fowler Rusling, through the cave. I don't suppose you missed these children much? You colored people never do they say.

Upon hearing such oblivious and hurtful words, the heartbroken Mat was quick to inform him differently. After his emancipation, Mat remained at Mammoth Cave for the rest of his life, guiding tours into his 70s as he could not seem to part with the job. Mat would be the first of 5 generations that have played a part in the legacy of Bransfords as Mammoth Cave guides. (source: National Park Service website).