List of largest slave sales in the United States
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This is a list of largest slave sales in the United States, as measured by number of people listed for sale at one time, usually all derived from the same plantation or network of plantations due to death or debt of owner. Note: In compensation for advertising the sale, housing the "product" prior to the auction, and managing the transactions, traders typically took 2.5% of the sales. Currently, the largest known single auction, was held by Jervey, Waring & White in 1835.[1]
| Sale | Number of people listed | Start date | Location | Owner(s) | Trader | Est. total value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Great Charleston Slave Sale[2] | 600 | February 2, 1835 | Charleston, South Carolina | John Ball Jr. | Jervey, Waring & White | US$222,800 (equivalent to $6,953,516 in 2025) | Ball's heir Ann Ball bought 215 of the 600 for US$79,855 (equivalent to $2,492,249 in 2025) |
| Joseph Bond estate auction[1] | 566 | January 3, 1860 | Albany, Georgia | Joseph Bond | US$580,150 (equivalent to $20,788,708 in 2025) | ||
| Great Slave Auction[3] | 436 | March 2, 1859 | Savannah, Georgia | Pierce Mease Butler | Joseph Bryan | US$303,850 (equivalent to $10,887,958 in 2025) |
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