Rutgers-Aggregation

Items

• 1823, Betsey, Manumission

  Betsey, aged 34, was manumitted by Robert Boggs of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. Manumission documents noted that she was "named Betsey, otherwise called Eve." The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on March 29, 1823. The document stated that Betsey was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was executed on March 29, 1823, by Robert Boggs, in the presence of witness Samuel S. Deare. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on March 31, 1823.
• 1823, Dinah, Manumission

  Dinah was manumitted by Abraham Schuyler Neilson of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission listed the enslaver's name as "A. S. Neilson of the township of North Brunswick." The certificate was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Nicholas Booraem Jr. and James Dunham) on June 25, 1823. The document stated that Dinah was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. Dinah's exact age was not recorded in the document. This document was recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on July 14, 1823.
• 1823, Margaret, Manumission

  Margaret, aged 28, was manumitted by the last will and testament of Peter Vredenburgh (1745-1823) of New Brunswick in the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The executors of Peter Vredenburgh's estate (son Peter Vredenburgh and brother-in-law James Schureman) brought Margaret to court to complete the process and obtain a certificate of manumission on September 12, 1823. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of New Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The document stated that Margaret was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was signed by the executors Peter Vredenburgh and James Schureman. The deed lists the date October 12, 1823, but the word "October" may be a mistake here. The certificate and deed were both recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) in his Book of Manumissions on September 16, 1823, and it appears likely that both documents were originally signed at the same time on September (not October) 12, 1823. A man named Tom was manumitted by the executors on the same day.
• 1823, Tom, Manumission

  Tom, aged 26, was manumitted by the last will and testament of Peter Vredenburgh (1745-1823) of New Brunswick in the Township of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The executors of Peter Vredenburgh's estate (son Peter Vredenburgh and brother-in-law James Schureman) brought Tom to court to complete the process and obtain a certificate of manumission on September 12, 1823. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of New Brunswick (Abraham Van Arsdalen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Nicholas Booraem Jr.). The document stated that Tom was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. The deed of manumission was signed by the executors Peter Vredenburgh and James Schureman on September 12, 1823. The certificate and deed were both recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) in his Book of Manumissions on September 16, 1823. A woman named Margaret was manumitted by the executors on the same day.
• 1825, Nicholas, Manumission

  Nicholas was manumitted by Robert Morris Boggs of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. The certificate of manumission was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Staats Van Deursen) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (James Dunham and Nicholas Booraem Jr.) on May 4, 1825. The document stated that Nicholas was examined in court and met the eligibility requirements for manumission in New Jersey, i.e. the person was 21 to 40 years old and was "sound in mind and not under any bodily incapacity" of obtaining a livelihood. Nicholas's exact age was not recorded in the document. The deed of manumission was executed on May 3, 1825, by Robert Morris Boggs, in the presence of All. Griffith and Littleton Kirkpatrick. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) on May 5, 1825.
• 1826, Harry, Birth

  Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 79 Child: Harry Mother: Hannah Enslaver of mother and child at the time of birth: Abraham Dumont Location: North Branch, Somerset County, NJ Birth date: February 20, 1826 Clerk: Elias J. Thompson Reported to the Middlesex County Clerk on February 5, 1829, by the new enslaver of the mother and child, Robert Boggs of New Brunswick, NJ, who bought Hannah and Harry from Abraham Dumont shortly before this date. Boggs noted that the original enslaver neglected to notify the Somerset County Clerk of Harry's birth in 1826. The following is a complete transcript of the document: "Harry I, Robert Boggs, of the city of New Brunswick in the township of North Brunswick in the County of Middlesex and State of New Jersey, Attorney at Law, do hereby certify, to the Clerk of the County of Middlesex, that I have in my possession a negro male child called Harry, who with his mother called Hannah, a slave I lately purchased of Abraham Dumont of North Branch in the County of Somerset, that the said Abraham Dumont has informed me that he had never certified the age of the said negro boy - Harry - to the Clerk of the County of Somerset - but that the said negro boy Harry would be three years old on the twentieth day of February eighteen hundred and twenty nine, which is the only knowledge I have of his age. Witness my hand this fifth day of February eighteen hundred and twenty nine. Robt Boggs Recd Febry 6th and recorded by Thompson Clerk"
• 1829, Hannah, Sale

  Hannah and her 2-year-old son Harry were sold by Abraham Dumont of North Branch, Somerset County, NJ, to Robert Boggs, attorney at law. As a consequence of the sale, Hannah and Harry relocated to New Brunswick, Middlesex County, NJ, where Robert Boggs resided. Evidence of this sale comes from a document that Robert Boggs submitted to the Middlesex County Clerk on February 5, 1829, to register Harry's age. The exact date of the sale is uncertain, but it took place shortly before this document was filed with the clerk. The document did not mention the price or terms of the sale.
• 1829, Harry, Sale

  Hannah and her 2-year-old son Harry were sold by Abraham Dumont of North Branch, Somerset County, NJ, to Robert Boggs, attorney at law. As a consequence of the sale, Hannah and Harry relocated to New Brunswick, Middlesex County, NJ, where Robert Boggs resided. Evidence of this sale comes from a document that Robert Boggs submitted to the Middlesex County Clerk on February 5, 1829, to register Harry's age. The exact date of the sale is uncertain, but it took place shortly before this document was filed with the clerk. The document did not mention the price or terms of the sale.
• 1832, Alfred, Birth

  Middlesex County Births of Enslaved Children book contains the following record: Page: 83 Child: Alfred Mother: Caroline Enslaver of mother and child: Robert Adrain Location: New Brunswick, NJ Birth date: February 14, 1832 Reported date: September 14, 1833 Clerk: Nicholas Booraem The document notes that the mother Caroline died by the time the birth certificate was filed with the clerk.
• 1838, Mark Harris Jr., Sale

  Enslaved man named Mark (Mark Harris Jr.), aged 20, was sold by James Neilson of Wood Lawn Mansion, Middlesex County, NJ, to Abraham Veghte of Somerset County, NJ, on December 16, 1838, for $20. James Neilson's brother Abraham Schuyler Neilson signed the Bill of Sale as a witness. Mark was sold for a partial term of 4 years and 7 months, which represented the remainder of his term of enslavement according to New Jersey's gradual abolition law. Mark's term of enslavement would expire on his 25th birthday on July 27, 1843; at the expiration of this term, Mark would become eligible for emancipation. (Enslaved men born after July 4, 1804, in New Jersey had to serve 25 years before they qualified for emancipation under the state law.)
• Abraham Blauvelt (1764-1838)

  Abraham Blauvelt (c. 1764-1838) was an alumnus and trustee of Queen's College (later Rutgers). He was born in Rockland County, NY, and lived most of his life in New Brunswick, NJ, where Middlesex County records indicate that he held people in bondage. He received a degree from Queen's College in 1789 and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1800, assuming the position of the Secretary of the Board. From 1808 to 1810 he was the chairman of the Building Committee that oversaw the construction of the college's first permanent building, now known as Old Queens. He maintained the financial records related to the construction of the building, which document the college's use of enslaved labor. Blauvelt was a printer in New Brunswick. He established a newspaper called the Guardian, or, New Brunswick Advertiser, in 1792 and published it for decades, delivering news and advertisements to the surrounding counties. Many advertisements for runaways and slave sales appeared in his newspaper over the years. Blauvelt helped facilitate slave sales for his subscribers. Some sellers did not want to publish their own name and contact information in the newspaper, preferring to keep the transaction more private. In such cases, Blauvelt acted as a middleman, publishing ads that said "Enquire of the printer," and encouraging prospective buyers to come to Blauvelt for more information about the sale.
• Abraham Dumont

  Abraham Dumont was an enslaver who resided in North Branch, Somerset County, NJ.
• Abraham Glasgow

  Abraham Glasgow was an enslaved man who lived in North Brunswick, New Jersey, in the early 19th century. His enslaver was Andrew Kirkpatrick (1756-1831), the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey and a prominent Rutgers trustee. On April 29, 1809, Andrew Kirkpatrick manumitted Abraham Glasgow. Abraham Glasgow was aged 21 to 40 at the time of manumission, but his exact year of birth is not known.
• Abraham Schuyler Neilson (1792-1861)

  Abraham Schuyler Neilson (1792-1861) of New Brunswick, NJ, owned at least two enslaved people according to the 1830 federal census. He was the son of Colonel John Neilson (1745-1833), a Revolutionary War hero from New Brunswick. Abraham was the younger brother of James Neilson (1784-1862), a benefactor of Queen's College (Rutgers). He appears to have been working for a distant cousin named James H. Neilson in the 1820s. A manumission record from 1822 refers to Abraham as "Abraham S. Neilson of the firm of James H. Neilson." The firm of James H. Neilson is not to be confused with the business of Abraham's brother James Neilson (who did not typically use a middle initial). The James H. Neilson referred to here is likely the son of William Neilson (c. 1737–1820), a prominent New York City merchant.
• Abraham Van Arsdalen (d. ca 1825)

  Abraham Van Arsdalen was an official in Middlesex County, NJ, and held several different positions in the early decades of the 19th century, including County Sheriff and Overseer of the Poor for the Township of North Brunswick. In his role as Overseer of the Poor, his job included examining and certifying manumissions. Van Arsdalen Papers (1794-1869) contain documents relating to his duties as sheriff of Middlesex County and tax collector for North Brunswick Township. The manuscript collection is held at Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries.
• Abraham Veghte (1791-1865)

  Abraham Veghte (1791-1865) was a farmer from Griggstown in Franklin Township, Somerset County, NJ. According to the 1830 federal census for Franklin Township, Abraham Veghte's household consisted of 5 free white persons, 2 enslaved men between the ages of 24 and 35, and 3 persons who were listed as "free colored persons" under the age of 23. The 3 young persons listed as "free" were probably actually "slaves for a term" who awaited their emancipation under New Jersey's gradual abolition program. Since the federal census did not have a category of "slave for a term," these young people would have been listed as "free" belying the reality of their life in bondage. In December 1838, Abraham Veghte purchased a 20-year-old enslaved man named Mark Harris Jr. from James Neilson (1784-1862) for $20. Under the terms of the sale, Mark Harris Jr. was bound to serve Abraham Veghte for a partial term of 4 years and 7 months. Mark Harris Jr. was a "slave for a term" and would become eligible for emancipation once he attained the age of 25.
• African Association of New Brunswick

  The African Association of New Brunswick was established in 1817 by free and enslaved people of color to gather and discuss education, religion, and racial uplift. The organization raised funds to establish a school for black children, the African School in New Brunswick. The organization was active for 7 years until 1824. This was the first organization established by people of African descent in New Brunswick, NJ. Archival materials from the organization have been preserved by Special Collections and University Archives, Rutgers University Libraries, in the collection: African Association of New Brunswick (N.J.). Minute Book, 1817-1824 (MC 50). Digitized materials from the collection can be found in the Scarlet and Black Digital Archive.
• Alpheus Freeman (1766-1813)

  Alpheus Freeman was an enslaver in New Brunswick, NJ. He was born in 1766, probably in Metuchen, NJ (which was part of Woodbridge Township at the time). He attended Queen's College (now Rutgers University), receiving his degree in 1788, after which he established a law practice in New Brunswick. He married Mary Parker in Philadelphia in 1803. He owned several properties in New Brunswick, including a large building on the corner of George Street and Prince (now Bayard) Street. He died suddenly on December 29, 1813, aged 47, and was interred with military and masonic honors. Archival documents show that he was the enslaver of a young man named Dick (who ran away) and a young woman who was sold by the executors of his estate to settle Freeman's accounts.
• Ambo Harris

  Ambo was a woman of African descent enslaved by John Neilson in New Brunswick, NJ. Her exact date of birth is unknown, but she was likely born in the 1790s. She married an enslaved man named Mark Harris in 1811 and gave birth to four children between 1812 and 1818: Clara, Ann, Eliza, and Mark Jr. In 1822, Ambo was manumitted by John Neilson and became a free woman.
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  American Colonization Society

  The American Colonization Society was established in 1816 for the purpose of encouraging and supporting the emigration of free African Americans to Africa. It was originally called the American Society for Colonizing the Free People of Colour of the United States, but came to be known as simply the American Colonization Society or ACS. The organization's founders believed that free Black people would never successfully integrate into American society as independent economic and political agents. One of the chief projects of ACS was the establishment of the colony of Liberia in West Africa as a destination for Black American emigrants. This national organization was founded and sustained by prominent men from New Jersey and had particularly strong ties with the Princeton Theological Seminary and Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). Princeton-born Presbyterian minister named Robert Finley was the organization's chief founder. In the twentieth century, ACS evolved to focus more on missionary and educational work in Liberia rather than emigration. The organization officially disbanded in 1964.
• Andrew Kirkpatrick (1756-1831)

  Andrew Kirkpatrick (1756-1831) was a prominent New Brunswick lawyer and politician with deep ties to Queen's College (later Rutgers University). He enslaved multiple people in his household. In the first two decades of the 19th century, he manumitted several individuals. In the 1780s, Andrew Kirkpatrick was a teacher at the Queen's College grammar school. In 1783, he was the first person to receive an honorary degree from Queen's College. In 1797 be became a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, and a year later he was appointed as a judge to the New Jersey Supreme Court. He served as the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1804 to 1825. Andrew Kirkpatrick served as a trustee of Queen's College from 1792 to 1809. During his time as a trustee, he was instrumental in reviving the struggling college. He worked with the Reverend Ira Condict to raise funds for the erection of a new building for the college (now called Old Queens building). Andrew Kirkpatrick then sent his son John Bayard Kirkpatrick to study at the college in the 1810s. Andrew Kirkpatrick's oldest son Littleton Kirkpatrick carried on his father's legacy in supporting the college; he served as a trustee of the college from 1841 until his death in 1859. Having no surviving heirs when they died, Littleton Kirkpatrick and his wife Sophia Astley Kirkpatrick left their fortune to the college. Their donation was used to build the Kirkpatrick Chapel on campus.
• Ann [daughter of Flora]

  Ann was a girl of African descent and the daughter of Flora, born circa 1780s. In January 1787, Flora's enslaver Anthony L. Bleecker of New York City sold Flora together with her daughters Phillis and Ann to John Neilson of New Brunswick, NJ. Ann's age at the time of this sale is not known.
• Ann Harris (b. 1814)

  Ann was a woman of African descent who was born in New Brunswick, NJ, on June 23, 1814, to parents Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Ann's parents were both enslaved at the time of her birth, but Ambo would eventually become free when enslaver John Neilson manumitted her. Ann's birth was reported to the Middlesex County Clerk by enslaver John Neilson, who was the legal owner of her mother Ambo. Under New Jersey's gradual abolition law, Ann was considered a "slave for a term" of 21 years, and she was bound to serve John Neilson and his heirs until the year 1835 when she would become eligible for emancipation. Ann was the second child of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Her older sister was Clara, and her younger siblings were Eliza and Mark Jr.
• Anthony Lispenard Bleecker (1741-1816)

  Anthony Lispenard Bleecker was a shipping merchant and real estate auctioneer in New York City. He served as a major during the Revolutionary War, and his family lived in New Jersey while the British troops occupied New York City during the war. He was one of the wealthiest and most powerful real estate and stock brokers in New York City in the late 18th century. Bleecker Street in Manhattan is named for him. In 1787, he sold an enslaved woman named Flora and her daughters Ann and Phillis to John Neilson, an early trustee and benefactor of Queen's College (later Rutgers University).
• Archibald Read

  Archibald Read was the son of the Rev. Israel Read. He grew up in the 18th century in Bound Brook, NJ, where his father was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church for many years. He and his brother Thomas inherited a man named Tony from the pastor's estate and sold Tony several years later in 1798. The sale took place in New Brunswick, NJ, but Archibald did not personally appear to sign the sale documents. He may have moved away from the area by this time. His family name is variously spelled Read or Reed in historical documents.