Ends February 25, 2019
Northern Slave Documents, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey
Lot of 4. Inventory of the Estate of Samuel Daton/Dayton, submitted by the executors of the estate, 1p, 6.25 x 7.75 in. February 11, 1745/6. Mentions a Negro woman (value £44. 8s.0p), a Negro Boy (£27.0.0) and a Negro Child (£14.0.0).
Manuscript document, 1p, approx. 7.5 x 8.5 in. Signed by John Reizer, Constable, August 1798. Manuscript return of the Constable of Dublin Township, Bedford County, (PA). Inventory of illegal activity/problems: Bastard children (none), obstructions on highway (none), retailers of spirituous liquor (at least 5 named); lotteries (none); "any Mulatto or negro slaves Imported Contrary to Law" (one); any deers killed out of season (none).
ALS, 1p, approx. 8 x 10 in. Philadelphia, November 22, 1852. "L. Farrell" inquiring of her(?) cousin, Thomas Jones, in Cecil County, MD whether "can I take Ellan there and sell her time to any person thare, she was manumited to be free at 28 she has 17 years to serve. she can cook wash on anything of the kind...I cannot manage her...." She then asks her cousin if he could find a buyer if she is permitted to sell her there.
ADS, 1p, 7.5 x 8 in. New Jersey, Hackensack Township, Bergen County, May 1, 1841. "For the consideration of the sum Fifteen Dollar to me in hand paid by John Quackenbush... the receipt of whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained and sold unto the said Quackenbush a certain black girl named Bet aged 10 years... to hold the said girl unto him, his executors, administrators and assigns for her time..." New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery, the labor being used especially in the ports and in agriculture. The importation of slaves was banned in 1788, and free blacks from elsewhere were also prohibited from settling in the state. In 1804, laws were passed for gradual abolition: children born to slave mothers after July 4, 1804 served long apprenticeships to the owners of their mothers, and then women were free at 21, men at 25. Slaves born before this date were considered lifelong indentured servants. Slavery was supposed to end in 1846, but really ended with the 13th Amendment. In addition, many slaves were sold south before their manumission date, and thus remained slaves for life (or until the 13th Amendment was ratified).
A rare group showing some of the complexities of slavery in the Northern States before the Civil War.
Condition:
All with some minor scuffing of edges. The NJ doc. with more extensive scuffing at top and folds separating. PA doc with some moderate toning at folds and overall. The PA/MD doc with some ink smears and light toning of folds. The
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