Items

• 1814, Ann Harris, Birth

  Ann Harris was born on June 23, 1814, in New Brunswick, the daughter of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Ambo's enslaver John Neilson reported Ann's birth to the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare). The following is a transcript of Ann's birth record in the County Clerk's register: "I certify that Ann, Daugr of Ambo, my colored servant woman (by Mark her husband) was born the 23d day of June 1814. - New Brunswick County of } Middlesex New Jersey. - } John Neilson Received May 3d 1820. Recorded by Deare Clk"
• 1814, Grace, Sale

  Grace was sold by the executors of the estate of the Rev. Joseph Clark (late pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick) in 1814 to a man named Mr. Linn. Clark had left his estate to wife Margaret Clark and his children, naming several prominent members of his church as executors of his will. On April 21, 1814, John Neilson and John Pool, two of the executors of Clark's estate, placed a sale advertisement for two Black women in the New Brunswick newspaper the Fredonian. The ad also mentioned that buyers could inquire with "P. I. Clark" which refers to Joseph Clark's son Peter Imlay Clark, although he was not one of the executors of his father's estate. The text of the ad was as follows: "For Sale, TWO BLACK WOMEN, Belonging to the estate of Rev. Dr. J. Clark, dec— one in her 25th the other in her 18th year. They are sober, honest, and industrious. For terms enquire of JOHN NEILSON, JOHN POOL, Executers. Or of P.I. CLARK. Also for sale— A CHAIR AND HARNESS. April 21." Although the ad did not mention the women's names, we are able to identify the women as Grace and Dine based on related receipts that were preserved in the Neilson Family Papers at Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives. Since Grace is known to have given a birth to a son in 1806, we can be certain that Grace is the older of the two women mentioned in the ad, being aged 24 to 25 when the sale took place. Grace was sold to Mr. Linn sometime between April 21 and August 4, 1814, for the sum of 150 dollars. On August 4, 1814, John Neilson delivered the payment of 150 dollars for Grace's sale to Margaret Clark, the widow of Joseph Clark. Neilson obtained a receipt from Margaret Clark, which was actually signed by Margaret's daughter Hannah Clark on Margaret's behalf. The following is a transcript of the receipt: "New Brunswick 4 August 1814 Received from John Neilson one hundred & fifty dollars which he received from Mr. Linn for a black girl Grace belonging to the estate of the late Revd Doctr Clark sold to the said Mr. Linn. Margaret Clark by Hannah Clark"
• 1814, Louisa, birth
• 1814, Patty, Manumission

  Patty, aged 39, was manumitted by John Croes D.D., of North Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. (The Reverend John Croes was the rector of Christ Church in New Brunswick at this time and would be elected first Episcopal Bishop of New Jersey the following year.) At age 39, Patty was on the brink of aging out of the possibility of manumission. New Jersey law held that enslaved persons aged 40 and above were too old to earn a livelihood on their own and were at a high risk of becoming paupers; thus the law held that they should be supported by the enslaver in their old age and could not be manumitted and sent away from the household where they had toiled for decades. The certificate of manumission for Patty was signed by the Overseer of the Poor of North Brunswick (Moses Guest) and Justices of the Peace for Middlesex County (Thomas Hance and Asa Runyon) on April 22, 1814. The document stated that Patty 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 on April 22, 1814, by John Croes. These documents were recorded by the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare) four and a half years later on October 6, 1820.
• 1814, Stephen, birth
• 1814, Teunis, Sale

  Enslaver Joseph Baldwin of Newark, NJ, sold 26-year-old Teunis to James Neilson (1784-1862) of New Brunswick, NJ, for the sum of $175. We can infer that this sale caused a relocation of Teunis from Newark to New Brunswick. The Bill of Sale was signed on April 20, 1814, in the presence of John Guild.
• 1814, Unnamed Black woman [Freeman], Sale

  In January 1814, William B. Parker and Joseph W. Scott, the administrators of the estate of Alpheus Freeman, began advertising the sale of a Black woman, aged 24, who was enslaved to the late Alpheus Freeman of New Brunswick, NJ. The same advertisement listed 8 buildings for rent in New Brunswick. The advertisement continued running in the local paper at least until April of 1815. The advertisement stated: "For Sale, A BLACK WOMAN, slave for life, about 24 years of age, stout, active and healthy."
• 1815, Caroline, birth
• 1815, Dine, Sale

  Dine was sold by the executors of the estate of the Rev. Joseph Clark (late pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick) in 1815 to George Farmer. Clark had left his estate to wife Margaret Clark (who died shortly after him in 1814) and his children, naming several prominent members of his church as executors of his will. On April 21, 1814, John Neilson and John Pool, two of the executors of Clark's estate, placed a sale advertisement for two Black women in the New Brunswick newspaper the Fredonian. The ad also mentioned that buyers could inquire with "P. I. Clark" which refers to Joseph Clark's son Peter Imlay Clark, although he was not one of the executors of his father's estate. The text of the ad was as follows: "For Sale, TWO BLACK WOMEN, Belonging to the estate of Rev. Dr. J. Clark, dec— one in her 25th the other in her 18th year. They are sober, honest, and industrious. For terms enquire of JOHN NEILSON, JOHN POOL, Executers. Or of P.I. CLARK. Also for sale— A CHAIR AND HARNESS. April 21." Although the ad did not mention the women's names, we are able to identify the women as Grace and Dine based on related receipts that were preserved in the Neilson Family Papers at Rutgers Special Collections and University Archives. Dine was the younger of the two women, aged approximately 17 when the ad was published. It took approximately a year for the executors to complete Dine's sale. George Farmer paid 75 dollars for Dine to John Neilson. On April 17, 1815, John Neilson delivered the payment of 75 dollars for the sale to Hannah, the daughter of the late Joseph Clark. This was part of Hannah's inheritance. Hannah Clark issued John Neilson a receipt for the money. The following is a transcript of the receipt: "New Brunswick 17th April 1815 Received from John Neilson seventy five dollars received by him as Excr of the est. of Revd. Docr Jos. Clark from George Farmer for black girl Dine sold by the Executor to the said Geo Farmer Hannah Clark"
• 1815, Elizabeth, Sale

  Elizabeth, a Black woman, was sold by the Middlesex County sheriff at a public auction as a result of a lawsuit. It appears that Elizabeth's enslaver John Powers was indebted to Staats Van Deursen (treasurer of Queen's College). Staats Van Deursen brought a lawsuit against John Powers, and a Writ of Execution was issued ordering the sheriff to sell Elizabeth at public auction. Sheriff Abraham Van Arsdalen sold Elizabeth to James Neilson (trustee and benefactor of Queen's College, later Rutgers University) on January 3, 1815, for the sum of 250 dollars. On January 23, 1815, James Neilson paid the sheriff for the sale and took possession of Elizabeth, as shown in a receipt issued by the sheriff on that date. --- The following is a transcript of the receipt: "Rec'd New Brunswick 23d January 1815 from Mr. James Neilson two hundred & fifty Dollars in full payment of a certain Negro Woman named Elizabeth, belonging to the personal estate of John Powers, sold by me on the 3d day of January Inst by Writ of an Execution at the suit of Staats Van Deursen which negro I do hereby deliver to his possession. $250 Abrm Van Arsdalen Sheriff"
• 1815, Prince, Sale

  On May 25, 1815, Cornelius C. Vermeule sold Prince to John Neilson (1745-1833) for 150 dollars. Prince was about 23 years old at this time. The buyer and seller both lived in New Brunswick, NJ. The terms of the Bill of Sale suggest that there was some prior indenture agreement between Prince and Cornelius C. Vermeule that set September 1, 1819, as the expected manumission date for Prince. Vermeule sold Prince to Neilson for the remainder of Prince's "unexpired time" which was listed as 4 years, 3 months, and 6 days. The Bill of Sale was signed in the presence of witness John Guild.
• 1815, Unnamed, Mention

  The commissioners of Athens, Georgia imposed a 12 cent tax on enslaved persons. Partial Transcript: "The Oconee river was the corporate line. The commissioners imposed a tax of 3 cents on $100 on property, 12 1/2 cents each on slaves, and $2 for liquor license. That surely was an ideal Athens."
• 1816, Eliza Harris, Birth

  Eliza Harris was born on July 2, 1816, in New Brunswick, the daughter of Ambo and Mark Harris Sr. Ambo's enslaver John Neilson reported Eliza's birth to the Middlesex County Clerk (William P. Deare). The following is a transcript of Eliza's birth record in the County Clerk's register: "I certify that Eliza, Daugr of Ambo, my colourd servant woman (by Mark her husband) was born in New Brunswick 2d day of July 1816. - New Brunswick County of Middlesex State of New Jersey. - John Neilson - Received May 3d 1820. Recorded by Deare Clk"
• 1816, Mark Harris Sr., Sale

  Benjamin Taylor sold Mark (Mark Harris Sr.) to James Neilson for $200 on October 15, 1816. The buyer and seller both lived in New Brunswick, NJ. William P. Deare and Joseph Dunn signed the bill of sale as witnesses. The bill of sale describes the enslaved man as a "mulatto slave" and does not list Mark's last name. Other archival documents indicate that Mark's family name was Harris. Mark was approximately 25 years old at this time. As part of the slave sale contract, James Neilson promised to manumit Mark "at the expiration of five years from the date 12 March 1816." The mention of the 5-year term suggests that Mark probably entered into a 5-year agreement with Benjamin Taylor and was promised his freedom before he was sold to James Neilson. Five years prior to this sale event, Mark Harris Sr. married to Ambo, an enslaved woman in the Neilson household. Ambo and Mark Harris had several children together. When James Neilson purchased Mark Harris, the Harris family was unified in the Neilson household, and Mark could come live with his wife and children who also served the Neilsons. --- The following is a complete transcript of the bill of sale: [FRONT PAGE] Know all men by these presents, that I Benjamin Taylor Junr of the city of New Brunswick in the state of New Jersey, Mariner, for the sum of two hundred dollars to me in hand paid by James Neilson of the city and State aforesaid, Merchant, have and do bargain and sell unto the said James Neilson his executors administrators and assigns my mulatto slave called and known by the name Mark aged about twenty five years; To have and to hold the said slave Mark to the said James Neilson his executors administrators and assigns forever; and I have this day delivered the said slave into the posesion of the said James Neilson and I do warrant and will defend the said James Neilson in the peaceable posesion of said slave against me and all persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen. Benjn Taylor Sign sealed & delivered in the presence of } Wm P. Deare [BACK PAGE] I do hereby covenant and engage to and with the written named Benjn Taylor Jnr his executors administrators & assigns that at the expiration of five years from the date 12 March 1816 I will manumit and set free the written named Mark from slavery and servitude. —Witness my hand & seal this fifteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen. James Neilson Sign sealed & delivered in the presence of } Joseph Dunn
• 1816, Mary Ann, birth
• 1816, Samuel, birth
• 1817, Amorilla, birth
• 1817, Ben, Removal

  In 1817, James Smith of Middlesex County, NJ, sold Ben to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Brunswick landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Ben to Louisiana with him. Ben was aged 18 at this time. On September 23, 1817, James Smith brought Ben to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Ben to Louisiana where Ben would serve Klady as his new enslaver. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The document stated that Ben was examined by the judges and consented to move with Jacob Klady to Louisiana. It additionally stated that Ben had no parents living in the state of New Jersey (i.e. parental consent was not obtained for Ben's move). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817.
• 1817, Benjamin, birth
• 1817, Dinah, Removal

  In 1817, William Van Deursen, a physician in New Brunswick and a graduate of Queen's College (now Rutgers University) sold Dinah to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Dinah to Louisiana with him. Dinah was aged 22 at this time. Before Klady was allowed to take Dinah out of the State of New Jersey, Dinah had to appear in court and give her consent to move with Klady. It appears that Dinah used this as an opportunity to negotiate with Klady for her freedom before giving her consent. On August 30, 1817, William Van Deursen brought Phillis to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Dinah to Louisiana where she would serve Klady as her new enslaver. According to this removal certificate, Klady promised to manumit Dinah if she served him obediently for 15 years in Louisiana. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817. A complete transcript of the removal certificate follows: "Dinah } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } On the 30th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Dinah the female servant of Doctor William Van Deursen of the city of New Brunswick, in the county and State aforesaid, being a slave for life, was privately examined before us Thomas Hance and John Outcalt two of the Justices of the Peace, and Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for sd County, which sd slave Dinah upon her sd examination did say that she was near twenty two years of age, that she is perfectly satisfied and willing to leave the place of her present residence and remove with Jacob Klady to the State of Louisiana and that she prefers to serve the said Jacob Klady to the service of her present master – all which we do hereby certify and that the said Dinah is a slave for life – and that the said Jacob Klady has and does hereby promise and engage that if the sd slave Dinah shall behave in an obedient and orderly manner and serve him honestly and faithfully for the space of fifteen years from the date hereof she shall at the expiration of that time be manumitted & set free. – In Witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names the day and year above written. – Thos. Hance Jno. Outcalt – Received October 8, 1817 recorded by Deare clk"
• 1817, Dinah, Sale

  Enslaver Dr. William Van Deursen of New Brunswick (alumnus and long-time trustee of Queen's College, now Rutgers University) sold Dinah, age 22, to Jacob Klady, a New Brunswick landholder who intended to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana and take Dinah with him. At the time of the sale, Jacob Klady promised to manumit Dinah if she served obediently for 15 years in Louisiana. This promise was probably made by Klady in order to gain Dinah's consent for the relocation, since New Jersey law required registering the consent of an enslaved person before that person could be taken out of the State of New Jersey. Around the same time, William Van Deursen's brother Staats Van Deursen also sold a woman named Phillis to Jacob Klady for relocation to Louisiana.
• 1817, Mark Harris Sr., Membership or participation

  Mark Harris Sr. was among the founding members of the African Association of New Brunswick in 1817, and his name appears on the first membership roll in the association's minute book. He received permission from enslaver James Neilson to join the association. The following is a transcript of the permission slip written by James Neilson: "New Brunswick 21 Jan: 1817 I certify that I approve of the African Association of New Brunswick & give Mark Harris a Colored man belonging to me, liberty to join the same. James Neilson" Mark would continue to be a member of the organization until 1821.
• 1817, Phillis, Removal

  In 1817, Staats Van Deursen (Treasurer of Queen's College, later Rutgers Univesity) sold Phillis to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a cotton plantation. Klady took Phillis to Louisiana with him. Phillis was aged 22 at this time. On September 23, 1817, Staats Van Deursen brought Phillis to the Court of Common Pleas of Middlesex County to obtain a removal certificate authorizing Jacob Klady to take Phillis to Louisiana where she would serve Klady as her new enslaver. The certificate was signed by two judges (Thomas Hance and John Fitz Randolph). The document stated that Phillis was examined by the judges and consented to move with Jacob Klady to Louisiana. The certificate was recorded by the County Clerk (William P. Deare) on October 8, 1817. A complete transcript of the removal certificate follows: "Phillis } State of New Jersey } Middlesex County } On the 23rd day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Phillis the negro slave of Staats Van Deursen of the city of New Brunswick, in the county and State aforesaid, aged twenty two years was privately examined before us Thomas Hance and John F. Randolph two of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Middlesex, and on her examination did state and acknowledge to us that she was twenty two years old and that she was perfectly willing to leave the service of her present master and to remove with Jacob Klady to the State of Louisiana and that she would rather go with and serve the said Jacob Klady than continue with her present master. All of which we do hereby certify. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day and year above written. - Thos. Hance John F. Randolph. - Received October 8th, 1817 recorded by Wm. P. Deare CLK"
• 1817, Phillis, Sale

  In 1817, Staats Van Deursen (Treasurer of Queen's College, later Rutgers Univesity) sold Phillis to a man named Jacob Klady, a New Jersey landholder who was getting ready to move to Ouachita Parish in Louisiana to establish a plantation. Klady took Phillis to Louisiana with him. Phillis was aged 22 at this time. Around the same time, Staats Van Deursen's brother William Van Deursen sold a woman named Dinah to Jacob Klady for relocation to Louisiana.
• 1817, Samuel Lane, Membership or participation

  Samuel Lane was one of the founding members of the African Association of New Brunswick, and his name appears on the first list of subscribers in January 1817. Lane was enslaved at this time. He received a permission slip from enslaver Andrew Kirkpatrick to join the organization. The following is a transcript of the permission slip signed by Andrew Kirkpatrick: "I do hereby give permission to my man Sam to become a member of and to attend the African Society in the city of New Brunswick, and to join them in all such things as shall be lawful and necessary, and at the same time consistent with his condition as a slave.

 15 Jan. 17. And Kirkpatrick"