On March 31, 1857, William MK Parker of South Carolina bought the male slave, John Athens for $1200, roughly $27,000 in 2012. 

This past summer a woman in Rochester was cleaning out her parent's attic and found this bill of sale and donated it to the Rare Books and Special Collections Department. Knowing of no history of slave ownership in her family's past, this document and its journey to Rochester, New York remains a mystery. You can view this manuscript and other recent acquisitions on display in the Rare Books and Special Collections Department beginning February 3rd.Document Transcription:State of South- Carolina.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That
I William MK Parker
For and in consideration of the sum of 
Twelve hundred dollars
To sum in hand paid, at and before the sealing and delivery of these Presents,
by John Athens
(the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge) have bargained and sold, and 
by these Presents do bargain, sell, and deliver to the said John
Athens the male slave Pri_ about 21 years of age _ sound
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said slave
unto the said John Athens his 
Executors, Administrators, and Assigns: to his and this only proper
use and behoof forever. And I the said
William WK Parker [say?]
Executors and Administrators, the said bargained premises, unto the said
John Athens his
Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, from and against all persons, shall and 
will WARRANT and FOREVER DEFEND by these Presents.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal Dated at Charleston on
the 31st day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and
fifty seven and in the 81st year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Sealed and delivered
In the presence of 
Louis D. DeSaupeur W. Mk. Parker