1807-11-07 Will (of Isaac Harris Sr.): Selena

Identifier
NJS-EVE-01954
Source
Archives of New Jersey, Series 1, Vol. 40 (Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809)

Hutchinson, Elmer T., ed. Documents Relating to the Colonial, Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary History of the State of New Jersey. Archives of the State of New Jersey, 1st series. Vol. 40. Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809. Trenton, NJ: MacCrellish and Quigley, 1947. See "1807, Nov. 7. Harris, Isaac," pages 159-160. https://archive.org/details/calendarofnewjer00unse_5/page/159
Event Description
Dr. Isaac Harris Sr of Pittsgrove, Salem County, wrote his will on 7 Nov. 1807, a few months before he died. The will was proved on 8 May 1808, and the inventory of his estate valued at a substantial $23,392.13 was made on 5 May 1808.

The abstract of his will was printed in Calendar of Wills, Vol. 11, 1806-1809, and indicates the following. The will lists vast tracts of land and real estate in Salem and Cumberland Counties that he bequeaths to his many children. He provides for the support of his wife, Nancy, during her widowhood. Among the things he bequeaths to Nancy is the service of an enslaved Black woman named Selena, with the stipulation that Selena is to be free when she turns 35 years old: "also my negro woman, Selena, until she is 35 years old, when said negro woman is to be set free." Additionally, the will abstract stipulates that other enslaved people in the household are to be free at age 35, but it does not mention them by name: "Negro slaves to be manumitted when 35 years of age." (The original will has not yet been reviewed to confirm whether other Black people are mentioned by name.)

Among the children and beneficiaries of the estate is a son named Dr. Samuel Harris. He is not named as one of the executors in the will, nor does he receive a specific bequest of bonded people. However, Samuel would become the one to manumit Selena in 1816, and thus, it appears that at some point in the next several years, Selena came to serve in his household.

It can be inferred that Selena was 26 years old when the will was written, based on the assumption that she was 35 when she was manumitted 9 years later.
Event Type
Will
Date
November 7, 1807
Location of Event
Pittsgrove
Following Event
1816-11-16 Manumission: Selena
Primary Participants

Selena (b. ca. 1781)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05416
Role: Person Listed in Will
Age: 26
Status: Enslaved
Enslaver(s) of this participant:
- Isaac Harris Sr. (ca. 1741-1808)
Verbatim description from source:
"my negro woman, Selena, until she is 35 years old, when said negro woman is to be set free"
Comment: to serve wife Nancy until age 35, then to be manumitted
Additional Participants

Isaac Harris Sr. (ca. 1741-1808)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05411
Role: Enslaver, Testator

Nancy Harris
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05417
Role: Enslaver, Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: wife if the testator

Samuel Harris (ca. 1781-1843)
Person identifier: NJS-PER-05415
Role: Heir or Beneficiary
Comment: son of the testator
Record Contributor
Jesse Bayker
Resource class
Event