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[Witnessing 200 pound bond for manumission of slave]

Legal document for the posting of a bond for the manumission of the slave Ann. Signed as witnesses by the Aldermen and Justices of the Peace for the City and County of New York: John Cruger, Simon Johnson, Francis Gilpin, Philip Livingston (the...

GLC03943

to unknown re: sale of a slave, who would be fit for "waiting on a gentleman"

Livingston writes that he parts with the slave who was temperate and good natured because "while I lived in New York he would be abroad at nights after the Family was a bed, & we could never find by which avenue he went or return'd...." Livingston...

GLC04842.10

Receipt for 50 pounds

Partially printed. Provided by South Carolina as legal compensation for an executed slave belonging to Lynch's father, Thomas Sr.

GLC04815

[Joseph Curtis's membership certificate for the New York society for promoting the Manumission of Slaves]

This document is a large printed certificate for Joseph Curtis, with seal, confirming that he is a member of the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves. It it signed by Cadwallader Colden as President and William Van Hook as...

GLC05834

[Record of money due to an African American for service in the Connecticut militia]

States that eight pounds, nine shillings, and three pence is the balance due to Cato Cuff from the State Treasurer for his military service. Signed by Wheeler on behalf of Cuff. Partially printed.

GLC05333

[Manumission of mulatto slave Robert Cowley from the estate of Peter Randolph]

Signed and sealed in the presence of Beverly Randolph, Martha Randolph, and James Rim. Randolph purchases the slave, Robert Cowley, from Peter Randolph, deceased, with the intention of freeing the slave. Cowley purchased his freedom from Randolph...

GLC05490

Memoir of Benjamin Banneker read before the Maryland Historical Society, at the monthly meeting, May 1, 1845

First edition published by John D. Toy. Honors Banneker, a free African American scientist/astronomer from Maryland who created of a series of famous almanacs. Compares Banneker to David Rittenhouse, a noted Pennsylvania astronomer and inventor....

GLC06111

[Affadavit of sales agreement for a slave named Hannibal in St. Croix]

Marked "Copy." Certifies that he purchased Hannibal in October 1780 from Captain John Earl. He was informed that Thomas Wright, a sailor on board Earl's ship, owned one half of Hannibal. Payment was twenty half "Joes" - ten to the captain and ten to...

GLC06148

To the free Africans and other people of color in the United States

Two addresses by the conventions of delegates of the Abolition Societies of the United States. The first is dated 9 May 1797 and signed by Joseph Bloomfield as President of the Convention. The second is dated 6 January 1796 and signed by Theodore...

GLC06212

to Edmund Pendleton re: waiting foreign dispatches on peace talks; selling slave

Awaiting news of peace talks and personal advice regarding impossibility of selling a slave. Madison notes that while European newspapers "teem with paragraphs relative to pacific negotiations" but past British policy "should always restrain our...

GLC06757

Queries Respecting the Introduction, Progress and Abolition of Slavery in Mass.

Small broadside, disbound and signed by Belknap. Virginian St. George Tucker wrote a 1796 Dissertation on Slavery, proposing abolition. As part of his research, he queried colleagues with a list of eleven questions which are printed here. Jeremy...

GLC06764

An address to the inhabitants of South Carolina [anti-slavery]

In original blue wrappers. Anti-Slavery pamphlet. Printed by Kimber, Conrad & Co.

GLC06992

A Dissertation on slavery with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it...

[Complete title] "A dissertation on slavery with a proposal for the gradual abolition of it, in the State of Virginia." First edition. With contemporary notations on and a page of manuscript notes dated 1836 in front. Tucker's argument was urgent...

GLC06610

Postscript to the Freeman's Journal, Sept. 21.

This document is a copy of the Postscript to the Freeman's Journal from 21 September 1781. It contains letter from a free black man named Cato, "a poor negro," complaining of a newly proposed act that would have sent free blacks back into slavery...

GLC05818

The Examination of Polinaire taken the seventh day of February 1791

A summary of the testimony of Jean Baptiste Polinaire, a freemen, regarding the recent slave revolt in Dominica, in which he participated. "The Examinant...makes a voluntary Declaration of the truth of all he knows concerning the late Revolt knowing...

GLC02542.32.15

to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: report on Robert, Jr.'s slave

Stevenson writes that Robert, Jr.'s enslaved person has just set out to return home, and was unable to leave earlier due to bad weather. He also notes that the enslaved person behaved particularly well while staying in Albany.

GLC03107.03191

[Information given by Icholbald Hubbel concerning Thom]

The document relays information regarding the whereabouts of Thom, a man seeking emancipation from Robert Livingston. Thom claims that he was freed from Livingston in order to work freely. Hubbel mentions that Thom is travelling with two other Black...

GLC03107.03419

Bill of sale of slaves, livestock, and other goods to Robert Livingston, Jr.

P.2 is "A Schedule of the Slaves, Cattle, horses, & Goods sold and delivered as per the bill of sale on the other side with their particular Prices for the use of Coll Livingston." Signed by both Robert Livingston and Peter Bain.

GLC03107.03456

"An Inventory of Goods & Chattles Now in Posession of Peter Bain"

Items on the inventory include enslaved people, horses, cows, sheep, a wagon, and a loom. Some of the items are noted to have been sold to Robert Livingston, Jr.

GLC03107.03461

to Robert Livingston, Jr. re: prescription for Robert, Jr.'s slave, Jack

Ananias Cooper says that he is sending Jack back to Robert, Jr., and explains that he is nearly recovered from an illness that caused him to cough and spit up blood. He prescribes some pills to be given to Jack, and recommends that he refrain from...

GLC03107.03499

[Manumission of Charlotte Robinson]

Emancipating Charlotte Robinson, as ordered in the will of Dr. George D. Spatt. Signed by Thomas M. Locke and Carter B. Berkeley, executors of the will of George Spratt. Also signed by George D. Nicolson, John Minor, Thomas Muse and Mr. Chew.

GLC03434.05

[Manumission of Phoebe Miller]

One document emancipating Phoebe Miller in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse...

GLC03434.70

[Manumission of Robin Reeves]

One document emancipating Robin Reeves in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse...

GLC03434.71

[Manumission of Reeves Murray]

One document emancipating Reeves Murray in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse...

GLC03434.72

[Manumission of Maria Muse]

One document emancipating Maria Muse in accordance with the will of George D. Spratt. Signed by Minor, Carter B. Berkley, Thomas M. Locke, George D. Nicolson and Jonathan Chew as executors of Spratt's estate. Signed and attested by Thomas Muse as...

GLC03434.73