This stock certificate dated December 6th, 1865 is for 40 shares of capital stock in the Sea Island Company.  The Sea Island Company was a South Carolina formed as the Civil War was ending to continue cotton production on the islands off of South Carolina.  This was a NORTHERN ATTEMPT to make money in the south.  On the stock certificate it says, “Incorporated under the laws in the state of New York”. 

It is interesting to note that the document is signed by Alfred Ely as President.  During the Civil War Ely was a Congressman – one of the silly tourists that came out to watch the battle of Bull Run on a hill overlooking the battle.  At this battle he was taken prisoner by the Confederates to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia.  Ely spent 6 months at Libby and in December of 1861 on Christmas day, he was exchanged.  Since the Confederates took 6 months of his life, perhaps Ely thought he deserved making a little money after the war “down south”!

We could only find one other example of a similar stock certificate listed on the Internet and it was priced at $375 (ours also looks to be in better condition). 

#D131 - Price $250