30 November 1803

Compton, Harry, fl. 1803

Document signed

Title: [Purchase of slave Kate and her three children by manumitted slave]

Legal document for the purchase of the slave Kate and her three children Ben, Caleb, and Nancy. The purchaser was "a free African" named Harry Compton, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and he left an "X" as his mark. It appears that Kate was Compton's wife and the three children belonged to them. The slaves were sold by their owner Anne Acker, of Amwell Township, New Jersey, for 100 dollars due in one year from the date of the document. Compton declared himself "a manumit & free from bondage to man or set of Men." Witnessed by John Johnson (who signed with an "X" as his mark), William Marts…

GLC08440

20 February 1810

West, Benjamin, 1738-1820

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Certificate of emancipation for Priscilla a negro woman]

Certificate stating that Benjamin West, a free negro, has bought the freedom of Priscilla, who will be his wife. "Benjamin West a free negro having purchased a negrowoman named Priscilla...Do hereby liberate and emancipate the said negrowoman Priscilla...On condition the said negrowoman Priscilla is allowed to live with me as a wife during my life and not to be molested or disturbed by any person in authority under the act of assembly in that case made and provided." West signs with his mark. Also signed by Thomas Healy, George Healy, James Handate and Thomas Muse

GLC03434.04

19 July 1808

Berkley, Carter B., fl. 1808

Manuscript document signed

Title: [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

January 13, 1812

Printed document

Title: Minutes of the Proceedings of the Thirteenth American Convention for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery...

"Minutes of the Proceedings of the Thirteenth American Convention for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, and Improving the Condition of the African Race Assembled at Philadelphia..." Reports on schools for African-Americans, kidnapping, arrests of fugitive slaves, the African slave trade and the detention of ships engaged in the trade, and prints correspondence with London's African Institution. Representatives of the Manumission Society of New-York, the Abolition Societies of Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey attended the meeting, chaired by Thomas Pym Cope, prominent Philadelphia…

GLC09328

7 May 1807

Ritchie, William, fl. 1779-1815

Document signed

Title: [Certificate of manumission signed by Frederick County clerk, William Ritchie]

One certificate from William Ritchie dated Frederick County Court, May 7, 1807 addressed to the State of Maryland. Grants freedom to a formerly enslaved woman Jenny Maynard. States that this was drafted by Henry Maynard who granted her manumission per a supplemental act. Also describes Maynard's physical characteristics. Document was drafted and signed by Frederick County Court clerk, William Ritchie.

GLC09775

21 September 1856

Doak, Robert, fl. 1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Robert Doak

One letter dated Shelby County, Ky, September 21, 1856 from Robert Doak to James Maguire, regarding the conditions of the will of Thomas Chambers. Has requested that enslaved people who worked for him should be freed and compensated $2,000. His estate after evaluation would be split among his wife's family, his family and other acquaintances. Doak enclosed a dollar owed by him to Maguire for a table purchased at a sale which he had not paid him yet.

GLC09710

1881

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Book

Title: Life and Times of Frederick Douglass

Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, is a biography of Frederick Douglass. This book is broken down into 41 chapters in two parts. There is also an appendix at the end of the book. There are 18 engravings throughout the book.

GLC09659

7 April 1857

Payne, Thomas N., fl. 1857

Printed document signed

Title: [Check promising payment of $124]

Payne promises to pay the sum to Waddell, Russell, & Co. (William Bradford Waddell, William Hepburn Russell, and Alexander Majors).

GLC04128.02

February 5, 1825

Hendricks, William, 1782-1850

Printed document signed

Title: to John Andrew Shulze

Printed resolution from the Indiana State Legislature opposing an amendment to the United States Constitution proposed by the Georgia Legislature that would restrict the movement of free blacks and manumitted slaves. First page signed by Hendricks states he is passing along a copy of the resolution. See GLC05191 and 04521 for other documents related to Georgia's proposed Constitutional amendment.

GLC04565

17 March 1837

Keller, Thomas, fl. 1837

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave named Ester]

Signed by Keller stating, "I hereby emancipate & discharge from all obligation of service my slave named Ester aged about thirty nine years." Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.01

4 May 1839

Lucas, John B.C., fl. 1839

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission of slave Polly]

Emancipation document of Lucas's "negro woman Polly." Lists who she was brought from and who she was raised by. Witnessed by Charles D. Drake and Wilson Primm. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.02

2 January 1843

Paul, Rene, fl. 1843

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Ophelia]

Document signed by Rene Paul emancipating his slave Ophelia on the condition that she remain as a servant. "...hereby do manumit and let free from slavery, my negro girl O'phelia, aged about three years, on condition...Ophelia...shall remain with me as a servant, until the said Ophelia shall attain the age of eighteen years." If Paul should die within that time, Ophelia will be freed from servitude. States he brought Ophelia's mother Makelia. Signed by three witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, John Ruland. Docketed by clerk on a…

GLC08564.03

18 May 1852

White, John R., fl. 1852

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Ann Simms]

Emancipation of a 23 year old female slave owned by Colonel John R. White and described as "of an orange color and about five feet seven inches in height." Lists her history and who he bought her from. Signed by three witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, M. S. Cerre. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.04

20 November 1857

McCune, John S., fl. 1857

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Rose Dixon]

McCune signs the emancipation of his female slave named Rose Dixon upon reaching 24 years of age. Sites the reason for emancipation as her mother Martha's faithful service. States that Rose will be free April 1873 after finishing her term of service to Johnathan Jones, to whom she was hired. Signed by two witnesses. Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, Stephen Rice. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.05

4 March 1858

Blaine, John R., fl. 1858

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of manumission for slave Susan Reilly]

Blaine emancipates his slave Susan, "being an able bodied healthy woman now about forty two years of age..." Approved and certified by the St. Louis Circuit Court and signed by the clerk, Stephen Rice. With seal of the court. Docketed by clerk.

GLC08564.06

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [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 as court clerk.

GLC03434.70

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [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 as court clerk.

GLC03434.71

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [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 as court clerk.

GLC03434.72

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [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 court clerk.

GLC03434.73

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of Beckey Murray]

One document emancipating Beckey 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 as court clerk.

GLC03434.74

19 July 1808

Minor, John, fl. 1808

Autograph document signed

Title: [Manumission of Jacob Murray]

One document emancipating Jacob Murray in accordance with the will of Doctor 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 court clerk.

GLC03434.75

26 April 1708

Leathes, William, fl. 1708

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Last will and testament freeing a slave]

"In the name of God Amen I William Leaths of the City and province of New York Sadler being very Sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind & memory...ordaine this my last Will and Testament...I give & bequeath unto my Servant Wan the Spanish Indian boy now living with me his freedom provided he serve my Loving wife. Seven years after my Decease." Includes the signatures of witnesses and sealed with red wax bearing the imprint of a skull and crossbones.

GLC09102

10 August 1830

McDonald, Hugh S., fl. 1830

Manuscript document signed

Title: [Deed of emancipation for a Negro named Harry].

GLC08211

29 April 1813

Blake, Thomas, fl. 1813

Document signed

Title: [Document attesting the free status of Richard Jackson].

One document dated April 29, 1813. Pertains to Richard Jackson, a freedperson. The form is partially printed and filled out by Thomas Blake as a character witness. It states, "the said Richard became free in or before the year 1800." Validated by New York City officials.

GLC08251

1797

Miller, Samuel, fl. 1797-1806

Pamphlet

Title: A Discourse, Delivered April 12, 1797, at the request of and before the New-York Society ...

"... for promoting the manumission of slaves, and protecting such of them as have been or may be liberated. By...one of the Ministers of the United Presbyterian Churches in the City of New-York, and members of said society." New York: T. and J. Swords.

GLC09128