1783-07-08 Ship Embarkation: Peter Stogdon

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01839
Source
Book of Negroes record: Embarkation of ship Ann, shipmaster John Clark

Book of Negroes record: Embarkation of ship Ann, shipmaster John Clark, July 8, 1783.
Event Description
On July 8, 1783, a man named Peter Stogdon was registered as a passenger aboard the British vessel Ann, embarking from New York to St. Johns River, Nova Scotia (now part of New Brunswick). His information was recorded on page 58 in the so-called "Book of Negroes," a register that the British troops compiled in order to document the names of Black evacuees at the end of the American Revolutionary War.

Peter Stogdon's record in the book was as follows:

"July 8, 1783
Vessel: Ann
Commander: John Clark Mr
Where bound: St Johns River
Negroes names: Peter Stogdon
Age: 23
Description: Stout fellow M.
Names of the Persons in whose Possession they now are: James Scott
Remarks: Formerly slave to Robt. Stogdon Prince Town left him abt. 3 years past G.B.C."

Note that the name "Stogdon," as written down in the register, is a variant spelling of Stockton. Peter's former enslaver was Robert Stockton of Princeton.

The name James Scott refers to a white British Loyalist who was in charge of Peter Stogdon at the time.

The register used abbreviations "B." and "M." to record racial designations. Peter was recorded as "M." for "Mulatto," an indication that he was of mixed African and European descent.

The abbreviation "GBC" signifies that Peter Stogdon had in his possession a certificate of freedom from General Samuel Birch, issued pursuant to the proclamations of freedom made by the British commanders during the war.
Event Type
Ship Embarkation
Date
July 8, 1783
Location of Event
New York City, New York
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Related Place
Princeton
Preceding Event
1780-01-01 Freedom Seeking: Peter Stogdon
Primary Participants

Peter Stogdon (b. ca. 1760) {Stockton}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04785
Role: Evacuee
Age: 23
Status: Transition
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Robert Stockton (1730-1805)
Verbatim description from source:
"Stout fellow M. [Mulatto]"
Additional Participants

Robert Stockton (1730-1805)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-02718
Role: Enslaver, Former Enslaver Mentioned
Comment: enslaver from whom Peter Stogdon ran away 3 years prior

James Scott (1748-1804)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04786
Role: Custodian
Comment: white person listed as having administrative custody of Peter Stogdon during evacuation

Samuel Birch (1735-1811) {General}
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04787
Role: Government Official
Comment: issued a freedom certificate for Peter Stogdon in New York

John Clark
Person identifier: NJS-PER-04788
Role: Vessel Captain
Comment: commander of vessel Ann
Record Contributor
Larissa Jimenez Gratereaux
Princeton & Slavery Project
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event